|
World Peace Bracelet
An inspiring handcrafted solid Sterling Silver Peace charm hangs from a strand of beautiful Rainforest Jasper and African Jade and an occasional splash of color with Red Jasper mixed with Hill Tribe Silver cube beads. At the end is a select Hill Tribe Silver toggle clasp and a silver tag inscribed with the word "Peace". These handcrafted charms are created using the time-honored art of Lost-Wax Casting here in the U.S.A. of sterling silver and then oxidized for detail. Charms, pendants, and rings are just a few items that can be made using a method called lost wax casting. In this process, a wax (or sometimes plastic) mold is used to create a piece of jewelry. This wax mold, called a pattern, is first weighed so the amount of metal required to fill the mold (gold, silver, etc.) can be determined. Then the mold is attached to a base, and a flask is slipped over the base. Once the mold is in the flask, a kind of plaster that looks like pan cake batter called investment, is mixed up, put in a vacuum to get all the air bubbles out of it, and then poured into the flask. It is then left to dry and harden. This takes a minimum of two hours. Once the investment is dried, the base and flask are removed. Now the piece is put into an oven to burn out the wax. Next a centrifuge is used to force the melted metal into the investment mold. Finally, the piece is cleaned up by filing and polishing it. What a wonderful old process used to create this artisan piece! For centuries, Jade was thought to be a single gemstone, but in 1863 two types were recognized: Jadeite and Nephrite. Nephrite is more common, but both types of Jade are tough, fine-grained rocks, suitable for carving. Jade is known as the "dream stone" and a "stone of fidelity". Jade brings realization to ones potential and devotion to ones purpose and is the symbol of tranquillity and wisdom. Jade is also said to promote peace and confidence. It opens the qualities of mercy and compassion for all sentient beings, inspires awareness of the oneness of all that lives. Jade is best known for it’s ability to open and heal the heart; freeing one from anger, selfishness, and greed. Jade soothes the emotions, heals the hips and kidneys, and aids movement on one's life path. Jasper is known as the “supreme nurturer” and a primary “protection” stone. It sustains and supports during times of stress and brings tranquility and wholeness. Used in healing, it unifies all aspects of your life. Jasper reminds people to help each other. Jasper aligns the chakras and facilitates shamanic journeys and dream recall. It provides protection and grounds energies in the body. It absorbs negative energy and cleanses and aligns the aura. Jasper balances yin and yang and aligns the physical, emotional and mental bodies with the etheric realm. It also clears electromagnetic and environmental pollution, including radiation. Psychologically Jasper imparts determination to all pursuits and brings the courage to solve problems assertively and encourages honesty with yourself. It aids quick thinking and promotes organizational abilities and seeing projects to the finish. Jasper is an opaque variety of chalcedony that may also include traces of quartz and opal. Jaspers, however, have so much variation in color and pattern that they are given different trade names to distinguish the stones further. For example, moukaite, leopard skin, silver leaf, and ocean jaspers all look very different from each other, even though they are all members of the jasper family. And to confuse things even more, colors could vary even within each variety. This characteristic variation in color and pattern has earned jasper the nickname “Mother of All Stones.” The year 2008 marked the 50th anniversary of the Peace Symbol. This famous icon is as timely now, in the face of all the current conflicts in our world, as it was on February 21, 1958, when Gerald Holtom first designed it. In the 1960's and 70's, the Peace Symbol was an important emblem of the anti-war and counter-culture movements. The Peace Symbol has intentionally never been copyrighted. No one has to get permission or pay a fee to use it. A symbol of freedom, it's free to everyone. I remember seeing the Peace Symbol everywhere when I was in my late teens in the early 1970's. The resurgence of the symbol in design couldn’t be more timely! I've decided to use the 50-year-old Peace Symbol - still relevant, still instantly recognized around the world - in some of my jewelry designs.
“We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.” Dalai Lama
What a great combination of gifts of peace from the gemstones and the Peace symbol! Length-7 1/2 inches.
|
