NEWSLETTER

Handmade Natural Gemstone Jewelry

• 22 Apr, 2024
• 949 View(s)
• Source : Azy Styles

Handmade gemstone jewelry has captured the hearts of many in recent years, drawing admiration for its exquisite craftsmanship and profound connection to nature. Whether it's a delicate pendant adorned with a gem, a bold statement ring showcasing vibrant hues, or a pair of earrings reflecting the elegance of nature, these creations are more than mere accessories, they are timeless treasures imbued with artistry and soul.

The allure of handmade gemstone jewelry lies not only in its aesthetic appeal but the finest gemstones shaping and then the metal settings, artisans pour their heart and soul into crafting jewelry that exudes both elegance and individuality.

Moreover, handmade gemstone jewelry offers a meaningful alternative to mainstream fashion, allowing individuals to express their personal style while supporting artisanal traditions. By choosing handmade pieces, wearers not only adorn themselves with beauty but also contribute to the preservation of age-old techniques and the livelihoods of artisans around the world.

As the demand and love for handmade gemstone jewelry continues to captivate enthusiasts worldwide, it serves as a reminder of the timeless appeal of craftsmanship and the enduring bond between humanity and the treasures of the earth. Here are some history and example of a few gemstones along with their metaphysical properties.

Lapis Lazuli:

Lapis Lazuli, with its deep blue color flecked with golden pyrite inclusions, has a rich history dating back thousands of years. It was highly prized by ancient civilizations for its vivid hue and mystical properties.

The earliest known uses of Lapis Lazuli date back to around 6,000 years ago in the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus Valley. These cultures valued Lapis Lazuli not only for its aesthetic beauty but also for its perceived spiritual and healing properties.

In ancient Mesopotamia, Lapis Lazuli was ground into powder and used as a pigment for creating blue dyes and paints. It was also carved into beads, amulets, and cylinder seals, symbolizing royalty, wisdom, and divine connection.

Ancient Egyptians associated Lapis Lazuli with the heavens and used it in jewelry, amulets, and burial artifacts. The famous funerary mask of King Tutankhamun, crafted during the 14th century BCE, features inlays of Lapis Lazuli among other precious materials.

The use of Lapis Lazuli spread along trade routes to ancient Greece and Rome, where it continued to be prized for its beauty and symbolism. It was often worn as jewelry by royalty and nobility, symbolizing power, protection, and spiritual enlightenment.

Afghanistan has large reserves of the Lapis Lazuli gemstone. Gemstone extraction in Afghanistan boasts a rich history spanning thousands of years. Dating back to antiquity, the enchanting lapis lazuli was first unearthed approximately 6500 years ago, adorning the thrones and statues of Pharaohs in ancient Egypt. Notably, lapis dust gained prominence as a favored pigment among renowned European artists during the 17th and 18th centuries, enhancing their masterpieces with its vibrant hues.

Despite Afghanistan's abundant range of colored stones, the prolonged unrest in the region has hindered direct access to international markets. During the 1980s and 1990s, Namak Mandi in Peshawar, Pakistan emerged as a pivotal hub for gemstone trade, receiving a significant portion of Afghanistan's precious stones due to nearest boarder and less distance. These gemstones were either polished locally or exported in rough form to destinations such as Hong Kong, India, Europe, or the United States, catering to discerning gemstone enthusiasts willing to pay a premium.

Nephrite:

Nephrite, a type of jade, has been revered for its durability, beauty, and symbolic significance for thousands of years. It is found in various shades of green, ranging from pale to deep emerald.

The earliest use of Nephrite dates back to ancient China, where it was prized for its toughness and was used to create tools, weapons, and ceremonial objects as early as 7,000 years ago during the Neolithic period.

Nephrite holds a central place in Chinese culture and was associated with virtues such as purity, longevity, and prosperity. It was carved into intricate ornaments, figurines, and ritual objects, symbolizing wealth and status.

In ancient Mesoamerica, particularly among the Olmec, Maya, and other indigenous cultures, Nephrite was similarly revered for its symbolic and ritual significance. It was carved into elaborate masks, jewelry, and ceremonial axes, often depicting mythological figures and deities.

Over time, Nephrite spread to other regions through trade routes, including Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, where it was incorporated into traditional jewelry and cultural artifacts, symbolizing protection, harmony, and spiritual well-being.

The use of both Lapis Lazuli and Nephrite as jewelry reflects not only their intrinsic beauty but also their deep cultural and spiritual significance across civilizations throughout history.

The well-known sources of nephrite jade are New Zealand and British Columbia. British Columbia is currently the largest supplier of nephrite jade in the world. It is mined in three parts of the province, from hard rock ‘in-situ’ deposits and from giant alluvial boulders that have been moved by glaciers during the Ice Age, according to the rockgallery.co.

In summary these gemstones are still in demand in market worldwide either in earrings, bracelets or necklace form and people prefer to use it mostly in its natural raw form due it their reported unique metaphysical properties.