April 2025 Preview: Amulets and Talismans
Lapis Lazuli Necklace - $86
In the Middle Ages, lapis lazuli was used as an amulet to protect against melancholy. Scholars of the time wrote whole reference books explaining the magical and medicinal qualities of gemstones, called "lapidaries," and they often cite this stone as a remedy for depression. You were meant to either wear it on the body as jewelry or grind it up and consume it as medicine.
This pendant features a slice of lapis lazuli with subtle faceting around the edges. The setting is surrounded by round granules of silver, and it hangs on a dainty chain with elongated oval links.
Each stone is unique and will have its own pattern of dark blue with bits of white and sparkly gold pyrite.
Pendant size: 20mm tall, 15mm wide
Chain length: 18 inches
Heracles knot bracelet - $110
The Heracles knot is a protective symbol from Ancient Greece and Rome. It comes from the story of Heracles (or Hercules, to the Romans), the demi-god known for his incredible strength. As part of his twelve labors, he kills a monstrous lion, and afterward he wears its skin with the paws tied around his neck. This was supposedly the knot that he used to tie it (that statue depicts Commodus as Hercules, made in the 2nd century AD)
The knot was a common jewelry motif in Ancient Rome, and it was believed to have protective properties. According to Pliny the Elder, it even carried the power to heal wounds if incorporated into a bandage. It was also sometimes associated with marriage, as a symbol of an unbreakable bond.
This chain bracelet features a succession of Heracles knots formed out of silver. It's modeled after several examples of Roman chain necklaces, with knotted links just like these. The bracelet closes securely with a hook.
Bracelet length: 8 inches
Evil eye ring - $82
Sizes available (US): 4, 4.5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 9.5, 10
The folklore of the evil eye is incredibly old and widespread, with roots all the way back in ancient Sumeria. "Evil eye" refers to the superstition that someone can bring you harm simply by looking at you with envy or malice.
It was a common belief all over the ancient Mediterranean, and every culture had their own spin on it and way of protecting against it. The most common amulet against the evil eye is an image of the eye itself, believed to deflect or absorb the malevolent gaze. This is still current folklore in some parts of the world!
This ring features the shape of an eye, with a pupil made of Swiss Blue topaz.
Stone size: 5mm
Juniper necklace - $145
Juniper is an old symbol of protection, used in many folk traditions for purifying the air from disease and evil spirits, most notably during the Black Death in the 14th century. The symbolism likely originated with a Bible story, where the prophet Elijah takes refuge from his enemies under a juniper tree.
This necklace was made by casting a real sprig of juniper in silver. Each one is completely unique! The juniper is set in a shadowbox-style pendant with a blackened background.
Since each piece of juniper is different, these oval pendants come in slightly different sizes and shapes-- see the pictures for the variety.
Pendant size: 24-27mm tall, 17-20mm wide
Chain length: 18 inches
Lunula necklace -$88
The lunula is a downward-facing crescent moon, and it has been worn as an amulet by women and girls for thousands of years. In Ancient Rome it was specifically worn by girls throughout their childhood to protect against sorcery and other evil forces. Later in history, it was worn by Slavic and Norse women as a protective sign connected to the moon and femininity. It's still a common jewelry motif in Eastern Europe!
This lunula features a rose and two leaves, with granulated detailing at the tips of the moon. The pendant hangs on a dainty beaded chain.
Pendant size: 18mm tall, 21mm wide
Chain length: 18 inches
Juniper ring - $135
Sizes available (US): 5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 9, 10
Juniper is an old symbol of protection, used in many folk traditions for purifying the air from disease and evil spirits, most notably during the Black Death in the 14th century. The symbolism likely originated with a Bible story, where the prophet Elijah takes refuge from his enemies under a juniper tree.
This ring was made by casting a real sprig of juniper in silver. Each one is completely unique! The juniper comes in a shadowbox-style setting with a darkened background.
Oval size: 15mm tall, 12mm wide
Band width: 5.2mm
Amethyst earrings - $118
The word "amethyst" means "without drunkenness."
In Ancient Greece and Rome, they used this stone to protect themselves against intoxication. They drank a lot of wine, but it was usually very watered down and they considered drunkenness to be uncivilized. So if you were going to be drinking a lot of wine, you could keep an amethyst under your tongue, wear it as jewelry, or drink from a carved amethyst vessel to counter the effects of the alcohol and keep your wits about you. Some call it the "sober stone."
These earrings feature two checkerboard cut amethysts hanging in braided silver teardrops.
Teardrop size: 32mm tall, 21mm wide
Juniper earrings - $85
These earrings were made by casting real sprigs of juniper in sterling silver. Each earring is completely unique, but I have paired them together to match size and shape as well as possible.
Juniper size: appx 50mm tall, 30mm wide