We are busy creating a new look for our website, which will showcase our artisan jewelry in a different way. With more photographs and new navigation options, customers will enjoy a great online shopping experience. We’re also adding lots of new handcrafted earrings, like these Silver Artisan Braided Earrings, along with more silver necklaces and bracelets. We always strive to find new ways to offer the highest level of customer service to show our appreciation for our loyal customers. The new site should be finished on August 1st, so be sure to check back to see our progress.
Simple seeds and sterling silver make a great style combination. You may not have seen seeds used in jewelry before, but in Peru it is common to use local seeds to make interesting accessories. The Huayruro seeds in this Seed Bracelet are not just interesting to look at. They have also been considered good luck charms in Peru for centuries. The Amazonian seeds are traditionally given to newborn babies in the form of tiny bracelets, to ward off negative energy and attract good fortune. Anyone can wear them for good luck, however, and this makes Huayruro jewelry a great gift idea. We’re always adding new Huayruro styles to our collection, so check back often to see what’s available.
This 
Silver Black Bracelet is a must for women who love contemporary designs. Clean lines and geometric shapes often make up a contemporary jewelry collection, and this bracelet will fit in perfectly. The sleek black cord and hammered silver oval make it a simple yet classy piece you can wear everyday. And of course, the quality is superior, with .950 sterling silver and a thick, soft cord. The sterling silver clasp means it will stay in place, and the other sterling silver accents add a bit more shine. We test our handcrafted jewelry ourselves before offering it on our site, and we guarantee the quality of each piece.
These hammered silver earrings are one of our newest additions. The silver has an almost white, brilliant shine and the hammering makes them even more eye catching. Like every Tikanchay design, these earrings are handcrafted by a master silversmith. The classic rhombus shape is more elegant in hammered silver, which is done by hand, and then placed on a delicate french wire. We’re proud to provide high quality silver artisan jewelry like these hammered silver earrings for our customers while supporting artisans in Peru.
This new design is a great gift idea for women who love statement pieces. The flower is a substantial piece of sterling silver, and the hammered design gives it an elegant look. The soft black cord complements the shine of the silver, and makes it a piece that can be dressed up or down depending on your outfit. The black and silver collection at Tikanchay is growing along with the rest of our selection – you can view the new designs by visiting our homepage, and stay tuned for more updates about our newest Peruvian jewelry designs!
Several new pieces of butterfly wing jewelry have been added to our collection, showcasing the wings of a variety of South American butterflies. The red, black, and white designs on this Butterfly Wing Pendant feature what is known as the “88 Butterfly,” due to the figure eight designs that occur naturally on their wings. The iridescent blue comes from the Blue Morpho butterfly, which has a brilliant underside and a neutral brown on top of its wings. Blue Morphos are one of the larger types of butterflies found in the Amazon, and they are beautiful to see in nature. Of course, we respect these creatures and buy handcrafted jewelry that is made after they have expired of natural causes. With so many butterflies in the Amazon, the there is an abundance of butterfly wings that can be found naturally. We like the thought of preserving the delicate wings in sterling silver as a reminder of the beauty of Peru’s natural landscape and wildlife.
Want to know more about our exotic gourd jewelry? The art of Peruvian gourd carving dates back more than 4,000 years, and is still one of the most interesting organic forms of art you will find today. In order to create mate (ma-tay), or pieces of gourd art, artisans choose gourds in different shapes and sizes and then remove their skins. After the outer shell is removed, the gourds are left out in the sun to dry naturally. The dried gourds then become the perfect canvas for traditional Peruvian art. In order to create their designs, artisans use a technique called pyrography. This art form utilizes thin, poker-like instruments which are used to burn designs into organic materials. You may have seen leather or wood that has been etched using a pyrography technique, especially if you are somewhat familiar with Native American art. Although pyrography and gourd carving have been traced back to several ancient societies through Africa and Asia, the ancient people of the Americas are well known for this kind of art. In Peru, gourd carving is especially tied to the highland people in the Andean region. Our artisan jewelry is created by artisans who honor ancient traditions like gourd carving while creating modern styles like these Geometric Peruvian Gourd Earrings.
The stones and shells in the Tikanchay collection all represent the beauty of South America, and of course Peru in particular. Each one is polished to perfection by a master artisan, adding to their beauty and value. The shiny black Obsidian is a form of volcanic glass formed high in the mountains of Peru, and the blue Sodalite is also found in the Andes region. Peruvian Turquoise, or Chrysocolla, is prized for its varied blue and green hues. The Spondylus shell has been used to make South American jewelry for centuries, but was once only worn by royalty. These large thorny oyster shells range in color from deep purple to rosy red and even fiery orange. Therefore, some pieces of Peruvian Spondylus jewelry can be very colorful, even if no other shells or stones are used in the design. For Spondylus jewelry, Sodalite jewelry, and many designs made with Obsidian, Chrysocolla and other Peruvian stones, take a look at the growing collection of artisan jewelry at Tikanchay. This Sodalite necklace is one of our newest designs.
Sodalite is one of the most beautiful Peruvian stones, with a deep blue hue. It has a somewhat marbled look, and sometimes white swirls line the polished stones. The color can range from very deep, almost navy blue, to a lighter shade with more white in it. This natural material is the perfect accent for sterling silver artisan jewelry. We love it not only for its beauty, but also for its meaning. Sodalite is said to bring inner peace and harmony, and also to decrease stress and tension for those those wear it. This powerful Peruvian stone is a favorite at Tikanchay, and we are excited to share a whole new Sodalite jewelry page with you!
Our collection of silver artisan jewelry from Peru is still growing, and Elaine is currently in Peru on another buying trip. It is an exciting time for us, and we find new jewelry styles and artisans to work with. With new artisan necklaces, bracelets and earrings, we are also creating a new look for the website. Be sure to check back in the next few weeks to see new products and photos, like this new Gourd Necklace.
