praying hands

Smooth natural stone shows its sleek allure in a pyramid by Cesar Gonzales. Sculpted of a beautiful combination of gemstones, the piece is designed to attract the positive and repel negativity. Blue-green chrysocolla, warm brown aragonite and white calcite crown the pyramid while jasper is the central stone. Beneath, green serpentine, chalcedony with leopard spots and black onyx complete the sculpture.

Diligently carved by hand from natural bone, the image of Jesus decorates this large oval pendant necklace from Java. Rosalia Tarigan designs the necklace, featuring intricate designs in sterling silver that frame the bone. A teardrop of faceted amethyst is displayed just above the image of Jesus. The designer imagines Jesus praying in Gethsemane Garden.

For this design, I chose a symbol of peace in practically all cultures and countries — a dove with an olive branch." says Alejandra Paiz of this delicate and unique beaded suncatcher. "It represents hope and the desire for a new and peaceful beginning on Earth. It's associated with purity and spirituality.

"I say a prayer for peace," the Guatemalan artisan continues. "And I ask that we pray it together. 'No more wars. We want peace. May this peace dove reach all the homes of the world.'

"The principles of peace are love, justice and truth. Nothing is more valuable than peace, and it's the basic starting point for humanity to progress.

"I share sensations of peace with the beautiful crystals that reflect the sun's light to illuminate the heart and soul. We seek that which gives meaning to our lives. Peace. Let's be a source of light instead of darkness."

Alejandra crafts the suncatcher by hand with crystal, glass and pewter beads, stainless steel ring and wire, a nickel chain and a zinc dove pendant.

"A dove with an olive branch is a symbol of peace recognized virtually in all cultures and countries. It represents hope and our aspirations of achieving a new, peaceful beginning. It is also associated with purity and spirituality," says Alejandra Paiz of this breathtaking suncatcher.

"I say a prayer for peace," the Guatemalan artisan continues. "And I ask that we pray it together. 'No more wars. We want peace. May this peace dove reach all the homes of the world.'

"The principles of peace are love, justice and truth. Nothing is more valuable than peace, and it's the basic starting point for humanity to progress.

"I share sensations of peace with the beautiful crystals that reflect the sun's light to illuminate the heart and soul. We seek that which gives meaning to our lives. Peace. Let's be a source of light instead of darkness."

Alejandra crafts the suncatcher by hand with crystal, glass and pewter beads, stainless steel ring and wire, a nickel chain and a zinc dove pendant.

Inspired by the floral prayer offerings in Balinese culture, artisan Wayan Lasti creates a lovely pair of dangle earrings that perfectly capture the gentle beauty of nature. Crafted by hand from sterling silver, each earring features a sleek circular frame centered by a faceted round amethyst gemstone enclosed by lush leaves and swirling vines.

Quetzalcoatl, the "feathered serpent" was a revered deity in Mesoamerican myth and legend. Mariana Llanes depicts him as a sterling silver dragon that take its own tail in his mouth. "When one becomes many, they awaken the dragon, and duality emerges — light and darkness, what is mine, yours and belonging to others," ths artist says. "Our differences, survival and the struggles for power.

"By biting its tail, the dragon places all its energy toward understanding who we are and why we're here. It speaks of overcoming one's own ego, of humility.

"For me, the open hands are a beautiful representation of human collaboration. They symbolize friendship, honesty, respect, solidarity and willingness.

"Black crosses flank the hands along with garnet droplets that represent the death and suffering caused by wars. This is in honor of everyone who has died because of war. And it's a prayer that their lives and their blood be seeds that germinate in green fields of conscience, learning, and respect for life and for our differences.

"The spirals speak of life's cyclical nature and of resilience. Of our capacity to learn and change our reality, converting painful experiences into strength and wisdom.

"The feather pendants are symbols of the birds that collect our prayers around the world — for peace, for justice, for equality and the rights of everyone. They carry our voices in their song and they carry our prayers for peace."

The pendant is worn on a beaded gemstone strand of amethyst, iolite, citrine, peridot, carnelian and garnet.