Recently in Jewelry Category

It's been an interesting few months--more about which later--and as I was catching up email tonight & thinking about when to get back posting, I noticed a sponsored ad for spiritual Healing Bling.

How could I not click?

The designer of this trademarked jewelry line offers work designed for both aesthetic and restorative ends:

Allyson Rice is an energy healer, and works with each piece of jewelry in ceremony and prayer to instill a particular healing intent for the wearer of the jewelry, corresponding to the healing properties of the gemstones and the unique name and description given to the piece. The price includes the additional energy work that is done after the jewelry piece is initially completed, and again when Allyson knows who has bought the piece.

These TARDIS dangle earrings--shrink plastic designed for a stained-glass effect--would be the perfect thing to wear to commemorate the announcement that The Doctor has replaced St. George as England's patron saint.

Not that the Church has actually made that decision--yet--but The Guardian's Adam Rutherford makes a compelling argument based on the role of narrative & design in defining national identity:

Although narratives play an important role in cultural membership, national icons are often fatuous and irrelevant. St George is a symbol about whom we know almost nothing and whose own narrative represents almost nothing, St George is a third of the reasons for Henry V's rousing battle cry, which is now mostly appropriated by adverts for sporting events. Other than that, and our crusade-inspired flag, George has not much to do with being English in the 21st century.

So I suggest a new one: The Doctor, the shape-shifting time-travelling guardian of humanity from Doctor Who. In fact, the Doctor shares many striking similarities with St George. Both are dragon-slaying outsiders, fighting on foreign shores to protect their adopted people. But we know so much more about the Doctor, and thus can proudly and sensibly sing his praises. If we as a people demand collective narrative from legend, we might as well make it a ripping yarn.

The Doctor possesses so many traits of Englishness to which we should all aspire: defiance and good humour in the face of adversity; a sense of style that is at once individual, traditional and contemporary; a special brand of cheeky conservative rebelliousness; a humbling reliance on hot companions. Follow your spirit and upon this charge cry God for Harry, England and the Doctor!

Coming soon from Michiel Cornelissen, "a bit cross":

With its combination of symbolical and practical strength, it’s hard to think of a situation where this pendant would not have you covered.

A new bill in the Arizona legislature seeks to establish statutory protection for the freedom to wear religious jewelry in public schools:

Students in public educational institutions may wear clothing, accessories and jewelry that display religious messages or religious symbols in the same manner and to the same extent that other types of clothing, accessories and jewelry that display messages or symbols are permitted.

It's part of a broader set of provisions designed to keep school officials from curbing overt expressions of faith in the classroom. The inspiration--the notebook pictured above. The East Valley Tribune explains:

Deborah Chambers thought it would be no big deal to display a picture of Jesus on her notebook at the Chandler charter school where she is a seventh-grader.

She didn’t think the image of a bloodied Christ on the cross was all that different from a Muslim head scarf or a Phoenix Suns logo.

“It’s important to me because that’s what Jesus did for me,” Chambers said.

She said that last October a teacher sent her to the principal’s office after a fellow student complained about the notebook, and the principal told her she could no longer bring the notebook to school.

May Heggy is an Egyptian designer who is seeking to move contemporary Egyptian jewelry beyond Pharoanic and Islamic designs that have been repeated so routinely that they arguably have become visual cliches. But that doesn't mean she is detached from myth and higher meaning--to the contrary, it permeates her work.

May Heggy believes that jewelry making, like any other form of art, reflects the artist's views, beliefs and tastes. Therefore, being interested in psychology and philosophy, she aims at portraying the dualistic nature of life in my jewelry, since it is a strong characteristic of human nature and the self. She does this by mixing precious and non-precious materials, using contrasting colors, shapes and textures as well as unsymmetric patterns. She likes to work with unusual colors and cuts of semi-precious stones.

For more, check out her website and this engaging overview in the Egypt Daily News. Above: her Infinity necklace. Below: May Heggy.

Beyonce's hit song advises commitment-phobic men that if they like it they shoulda put a ring on it.

However, there's a much older song that advises women they shouldn't be so quick to accept that ring. Here, back from the early nineteenth century, are the God-infused lyrics to "Wish I was a single girl again."

When I was single, Lord I dressed so fine
Now that I'm married, Lord, I go ragged all the time
Lord, don't I wish I was a single girl again

Got the dishes to wash and the spring to do to
When you are married, Lord you've got it all to do
Lord, don't I wish I was a single girl again

I got three little babies lying in the bed
One of them's so weary Lord, he can't raise up his head
Lord, don't I wish I was a single girl again

Along comes that drunkard and he call them all a bunch of fools
So I wash their little feet and I send them off to school
Lord, don't I wish I was a single girl again

When I was single, I ate biscuits and pie
Now that I'm married, it's eat cornbread or die
Lord, don't I wish I was a single girl again

When I was single, marrying was all I craved
Now that I'm married, Lord, I'll go troubled to my grave
Lord, don't I wish I was a single girl again

"P.S. to Manny: The Ten Commandments religious medal and chain and my wedding ring--I wish you to present to our children as a token of our undying love."

Here in NYC last week: the latest JA NY Summer Show for the jewelry trade. One noteworthy trend--"enlightenment jewelry" is on the rise.

In pendants, sentimental pieces or "enlightenment jewelry"—those featuring religious or spiritual themes such as hamsa hands, luck talismans and zodiac symbols—were a favorite, especially among emerging designers at the show's New Designer Gallery.

Actress Shirley MacLaine offers a line of "eco-friendly" jewelry based on sacred geometry. Above: Swirl to God, an homage to the spiral:

Generally, the spiral represents a broadening of consciousness, which is the destination arrived after a long journey.

In terms of astrology, mysticism and myth the spiral translates into meanings of spirituality and rebirth.

In terms of spirituality, the spiral symbol represents the path leading from outer consciousness (materialism, external awareness, ego, outward perception) to the inner soul (enlightenment, unseen essence, nirvana, cosmic awareness).

In terms of rebirth or growth, the spiral symbol represents the consciousness of nature beginning from the core or center and thus expanding outwardly. This is the way of all things, as recognized by most mystics.

This is just one of many spiritual products offered on her site, an epitome of commerce as an extension of the self. As Ms. MacLaine can affirm, there's little more rewarding than living long enough to go from outside to mainstream.

A brilliant look at jewelry & existence by Planet Fab for CITY Magazine.