subject: Peruvian Artisan Jewelry - Wearing Fashion, Culture And Tradition [print this page] Jewelry is often the thing that brings an outfit together, and makes it one of a kind. But how often can a simple bracelet or necklace express the true style and unique taste of the person wearing it? It's actually pretty simple when you're talking about artisan jewelry. Each piece of artisan jewelry is handcrafted and imbued with the qualities and feelings of the artisan. Unlike the mass-produced designs and same brand names in department stores, artisan necklaces, earrings and bracelets are truly unique.
I recently came across Peruvian artisan jewelry, which broadened my horizons and made me realize how much you can learn about a culture by looking at their arts and crafts, including jewelry.
Of course there are a few things to keep in mind while selecting Peruvian jewelry. Quality is first and foremost. True artisan jewelry is not costume jewelry, and pieces tend to take on more of an artistic feel. Diversity in materials is important, and allows you to find something unique and eye catching which may also become a conversation piece.
When searching online for Peruvian jewelry, you'll notice a lot of alpaca silver, often offered at very low wholesale prices. If you're looking for quality pieces that will last, avoid alpaca silver. It is a lesser quality material that does not actually contain silver. Choose authentic sterling instead - at least .925, or preferably .950, which means the silver content is 95%.
Aside from silver, the Peruvian jewelry pieces that often stand out the most are those made using Peruvian stones like sodalite, mother of pearl, chrysocolla (also called Peruvian turquoise), and in some of the most unique artisan jewelry, materials such as butterfly wings and Huayruro seeds are used. The seeds come from the Amazon rainforest and they are thought of as good luck charms in Peru. Spondylus shell from South America is also used to make some of the artisan designs. It is sometimes purple, red or orange depending on the part of the shell that is used and polished to make the piece of jewelry.
Mate jewelry (pronounced mah-tay) is made with natural, hand-carved gourd and it gives the necklaces and earrings an organic feel. Some Peruvian artisans learn the art of gourd carving as children, from their parents, who learned it from their parents before them. A lot of the traditional jewelry making techniques have been used and adapted for centuries, making these modern pieces truly remarkable.
Although it may sound like Peruvian jewelry is specific to the culture, this does not take away from its fashionable appeal for non-Peruvians. Even the handcrafted jewelry styles that have been handed down through the generations are given modern appeal because the artisans use their creativity and style to make them look contemporary. These pieces reflect the care of the artisan who forged them.
In this world of style and aesthetic appeal, it is difficult to find culture in the things we wear. It is not often that people can wear culture and become a work of art themselves while remaining fashionable - but with the uniqueness of artisan jewelry, women can break out of their usual style, which gets boring. Instead of wearing the same thing as everyone else, the women who wear artisan jewelry feel unique and special - and with good reason, because every piece is handcrafted and made with care.
Peruvian jewelry is a new favorite of mine because not only does it possess the ability to make me feel like I stand out in a crowd, but the ethnic accents also make it exotic. Choose the designs that feature native stones, shells, seeds and other natural wonders, and you'll create an exotic style that is uniquely yours.
