talismano

Jewels and amulets

The jewels in the shape of an amulet or talisman. But you can wear them even if you are not superstitious ♦

Did our primitive ancestors first make jewelry as an ornament, or as talismans and amulets? The answer will never be known. Certainly, however, the superstitious function of jewels is evidenced by archaeological findings. But this capacity is also reaffirmed, a few thousand years later, by those who think they will be lucky if they wear a necklace pendant that has an eye-shaped shape.

Pendente-talismano di de Beers, in oro bianco e diamanti
Talisman-pendant by de Beers, in white gold and diamonds

Because, in fact, magical jewels, which should avoid unfortunate events or, on the contrary, favor a good fortune, are still bought. Talisman jewels often have the shape of symbols, to which is attributed a value and a magical power of help and propitiation or protection. At the same time, the particular shape of a pendant should (for those who are convinced of it) propitiate lucky events, such as winning the lottery or winning love.

Collana talismano
Talisman necklace by Kristen Malan

The difference. By the way, it is better to clarify the difference: usually talismans are equated with amulets. In reality they are objects created with two different functions. The amulets have (for those who believe in it) the ability to remove or cancel a magical evil influence. Talismans, instead, are objects that have the ability to make something positive happen. In short, an amulet should prevent negativity, while a talisman propitiate a positivity.

talismano in cristallo di rocca e smalto Wartski 1
Wartski, carved rock crystal and enamel hand-shaped talisman

Talismans and amulets are objects that even today’s jewelers like, often offering jewels that have the function of an amulet or talisman as well as an ornament to wear. In fact, nothing prevents you from wearing a necklace or ring with superstitious symbols even if you don’t believe in those ancient superstitions. Here are some.

Amuleto indossato
Worn amulet

Eye of Allah. In Turkish it is called Nazar Bonjuk, while in English it is Evil Eye. It is one of the most famous amulets against the evil eye. It is widely used for bracelets, earrings and necklaces. Once upon a time, children were attached to their clothes with a safety pin. It is one of the most used symbols by jewelers.

Occhio anti malocchio, con smalto e diamanti. Prezzo: 6800 dollari
Aaron Basha, hex eye, with enamel and diamonds

Hand of Fatima or Miriam. Also called Hamsa (which means five in the Arabic language) or Khamsa, it is an amulet shaped like a palm of a hand popular throughout the Middle East and North Africa, but now widespread also in the West, often used also to make jewelry or hang at home as good luck. For the Jews it is the hand of Miriam.

Anello con ciondolo mano di Fatima
Swarovski, ring with hand of Fatima pendant

Horn. It is a widespread amulet in Italy, especially in the South, as a lucky charm. Made in coral, often with the addition of diamonds, it was also used as a model by the great Maison of jewelry.

Amuleto a forma di corno in corallo e pietre semi preziose
Horn-shaped amulet in coral and semi-precious stones

Skull. According to the different cultures, the symbol of the skull serves to inspire fear, remove the danger of death or protect it from danger.

Anello della collezione Flora con teschio, oro bianco, diamanti e zaffiri
Gucci, ring from the Flora collection with skull, white gold, diamonds and sapphires

Crucifix. For those who follow the Christian religion it is the most important spiritual symbol. But even if some wear it to witness their belonging to the cult, others consider it an object capable of giving protection to the person. In short, a symbol with magical powers.

Croce scomponibile Belle Epoque
Damiani, Belle Epoque decomposable cross

Zodiac signs. Libra, Leo, Sagittarius … Whoever wears the symbols of his zodiac sign not only wants to communicate his belonging to a certain period of the year, but he also expects a beneficial power.

David Yurman, pinky ring in oro con iniziali o segno zodiacale
David Yurman, gold pinky ring with initials or zodiac sign
Amuleto con giada nera, bronzo e laccio in pelle
Black Jade, Bronze, and Leather Cord Amulet by Lisa Eisner
Ciondolo amuleto con cristallo di rocca intagliato e diamanti
Temple St. Clair amulet pendant with carved rock crystal and diamonds
Bracciale in oro rosa con smeraldi e quarzo al centro
Rose gold bracelet with emeralds and quartz in the centre
Bracciale in cuoio con mano di Fatima in oro e zaffiri
Pippo Perez, leather bracelet with hand of Fatima in gold and pink sapphires
Thomas Sabo, mano di Fatima in oro rosa 18 carati e zircone
Thomas Sabo, hand of Fatima in 18k rose gold and cubic zirconia

Susan Lenartka’s talisman jewels


The jewel is not necessarily light, soft, pleasant to wear. The talismans, the first jewels created by shamans for women and men, had a first and foremost practical function: to keep evil spirits away or, alternatively, dangers of various kinds. The idea of jewelry with alleged magical properties, in reality, has never disappeared, as evidenced by the creativity of Susan Lenartka, a goldsmith and designer with 23 years of experience, who studied in Chicago and graduated from Southern Illinois University.

Bracciale in argento con quarzo lemon
Bracciale in argento con quarzo lemon
In short, Susan Lenartka, who participated in the last edition of Milan Jewelry Week, is one of those people fascinated by the ethnic heritage of the past and, not by chance, studied sacred ornaments. During the art school Susan had in fact attended the Field Museum in Chicago, inspired by artifacts and relics. Then, she worked as an ethnographic repairman in the Chicago area for the decoration and ornamentation of West Africa, Naga and Thailand.
Anello in argento con granato
Anello in argento con granato

So, do not be surprised by the Alchemy of Talisman collection, which has the ambition to be decorative, but also to have protective functions, for those who believe in it. The different pieces use metal, but also round crystals, citrine and smoky quartz. Stones that have, according to new age lovers, also beneficial effects on health and spirit.

Anello Prayer con citrino
Anello Prayer con citrino
Orecchini con quarzo lemon, rodolite,opale, granato, rubinoi grezzo, quarzo fumé
Orecchini con quarzo lemon, rodolite,opale, granato, rubinoi grezzo, quarzo fumé
Collana in argento con acquamarina
Collana in argento con acquamarina

The talisman-jewelry by Bee Goddess

///




The jewels-talisman by Bee Goddess ♦ ︎

In the mythology of ancient Greece and India, the bee was considered a sacred insect, which linked the natural world to the underworld. But in jewelry market, Bee Goddess is a Maison that participated at the Design Room of VicenzaOro January: it derives its name from the Goddess of Catalhoyuk, the first settlement in the world in 7500 BC. The brand is based in Istanbul, and offers a large number of gold jewelery with colored gems, such as the rose gold ring with emerald pavé and surmounted by a bee in rose gold and diamonds, the symbol of the house. Because the allusions to the sacred origin of the myth linked to the bees is still present in the proposal of Bee Goddess, which gives its jewels a bit more interest.

One of the strands followed by the designers of the brand, in fact, is that of talismanic jewels, which should bring good luck or keep the troubles away.

Anello amuleto in oro rosa e diamanti
Anello amuleto in oro rosa e diamanti

Founder of Bee Goddess was Ece Sirin, who before becoming a jewelry designer worked for companies like Microsoft and Coca-Cola. In short, in addition to the spiritual forces has captured the power of marketing. To this she added a menu of Reiki, Kabbalah, spiritualism, astrology and mythology that suggested her to conceive jewels that are also symbolic. Bee Goddess born in 2008 with jewelry from the symbols of ancient civilizations from around the world, from the star of a Babylonian goddess, to the ancient Egyptian ring of Shen.
Today the Bee Goddess catalog includes dozens of jewels with sacred symbols. The business is sacred too, given that the Maison has four stores in Turkey and a global distribution among the best boutiques including Harrods in London, with admirers like Donna Karan, Kate Moss and Rihanna. Maybe they can succeed thanks to the amulets, who knows. Giulia Netrese

Anello in oro rosa e diamanti bianchi e brown
Anello in oro rosa e diamanti bianchi e brown
Orecchini pendenti Star Light Sirius in oro bianco e diamanti
Orecchini pendenti Star Light Sirius in oro bianco e diamanti
Anello Light Heart Eros Arrow in oro bianco e diamanti
Anello Light Heart Eros Arrow in oro bianco e diamanti
Anello Star Light SIrius in oro rosa e diamanti
Anello Star Light SIrius in oro rosa e diamanti
Orecchini Secret Garden Demeter in oro rosa e diamanti
Orecchini Secret Garden Demeter in oro rosa e diamanti
Anello Eye Light in oro rosa e diamanti
Anello Eye Light in oro rosa e diamanti







Prada, jewels like talismans

The Prada Jewelery Collection first video ♦
The bad luck, the misfortune, the negative astral conjunction: call it as you want, but superstition is an inseparable companion of humanity for millennia, perhaps for ever. Failure to understand the events that surround us and explain coincidences with mysteries is the easiest way to make sense of things (and often complicate life). But it is so. Prada also thinks so, and debuts in fashion jewelry with big pendants like tennis balls and, supposedly, able to move away the evil eye.
The video, released to Vogue, seems to indicate it clearly: those jewels are also archaic remedies for the malevolent and seem to have come out of a game of Games of Throne. According to Vogue, “the collection is made of rare, rough elements and each with its unique shape, coupled with natural fibers and sealed with refined silver finishes.” But the pieces use materials such as wood, shells, labradorite, amethyst, quartz chips, rock crystal, which do not seem so rare. It could, however, maliciously be reminded that in fact Prada on Vogue does a lot of advertising. In any case, the Prada jewelry looks in line with Maison’s style, and this is a more sure sign than influence of zodiac signs. Alessia Mongrando

Collana con scimmia
Collana con scimmia
Prada, collana di conchiglie
Prada, collana di conchiglie


Collana con quarzo firmata Prada
Collana con quarzo firmata Prada
Video della collezione Prada Jewelry
Video della collezione Prada Jewelry