Tikanchay's Blog » Spondylus Jewelry

Spondylus Shell Jewelry

Elaine — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 18:19:01 +0000

Most of the natural materials used in Artisan Jewelry only come in one color – sodalite is blue, chrysocolla is teal, a huayruro seed is always red and black. However, some materials are very versatile and can be used in different ways for different effects. Spondylus shell is one of these materials. The shell comes from the thorny oyster, and has been prized in Peru for hundreds of years. Depending on the part of the shell that is polished and used in jewelry, it can be red, orange or purple. All three of these hues can be gorgeous when paired with sterling silver. These earrings are an example of two colors of spondylus used in one Spondylus Jewelry design. With a natural material this versatile, the looks and styles artisans can come up with are endless.

Stone and Shell Jewelry from Peru

Elaine — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 15:44:06 +0000

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.

Unique Silver Jewelry Gift, Spondylus Bracelet

Elaine — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:51:40 +0000

This inlaid stone and shell bracelet is another recently added style in our Handcrafted Jewelry collection. The purple and orange elements come from the Spondylus shell, which has been prized for centuries in Peru. From the ancient Moche civilization to the modern day, people have been drawn to this alluring shell. Its colors range from fiery orange to crimson to purple. This particular piece features both purple and orange spondylus shells that have been polished and set in sterling silver. The cream color is mother of pearl, and the blue is sodalite, a native Peruvian stone. With a traditional Peruvian design, this bracelet is a great example of a modern take on Spondylus Jewelry. The band is made with polished leather, which is then finished with a sterling silver clasp. This Spondylus Bracelet would make a Silver Jewelry Gift for any occasion.

Spondylus Shell Necklace 30% Off

Elaine — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:00:11 +0000

We are excited to offer our “Fantastic Fridays” special item of the week, a gorgeous Spondylus Shell Necklace. The royal purple spondylus shell has been prized in Peru for centuries, and you’ll see why when you try on this necklace. The combination of rich purple and sterling silver creates a stunning design. Ancient Peruvian royalty wore spondylus jewelry – give yourself or someone you love the royal treatment with Tikanchay’s Cascade Necklace with Spondylus Shell. Enjoy 30% off this piece with the discount code CN102, when you order this week only – this offers expires Thursday, October 8.

Special Offer on Royal Purple Spondylus Shell

Elaine — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:32:16 +0000

Here is another fabulous Spondylus necklace. Although Spondylus is available in more than one color, I especially love this rich purple hue. We have found several styles of Spondylus Jewelry to add to the Tikanchay collection, and we can’t wait to see the designs the artisans will create with this shell in the future. The shell has been traded in Peru for thousands of years, and (not surprisingly) was often worn by Peruvian royalty. The deep purple hue certainly looks royal. Any woman who wears this Spondylus Necklace will feel like a queen! Until September 5th this necklace is available to blog readers only at a 20% discount. Just use code royal89 in the “special offer” box of the basket and your discount will be applied at checkout. Join our e-mail list at www.tikanchay.com to receive future Handcrafted Jewelry deals like this!

The Glorious History of Peru’s Spondylus Jewelry

Elaine — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:01:59 +0000

When you wear a handcrafted piece of Peruvian jewelry, you are also carrying the meaning and properties of its materials against your skin. Each piece has a special meaning because it was lovingly handcrafted by people who believe that their work will bring luck, harmony, healing, and good fortune to its bearer. Spondylus shell is used in many pieces of Peruvian handicraft including the artisan necklaces of the Tikanchay collection; it is another material rich in the history and tradition of Peru. It was used thousands of years ago as a means of trade, and continues to this day to symbolize the peace that exists between Peru and Ecuador. The Lord of Sipan Museum in Lambayeque – in the northern region of Piura – displays exquisitely beaded chest plates of spondylus shell, worn by the royal princes of the Moche civilization. These tiny beads, called chaquiras in Spanish, were found on the discovered bodies, the complex weaving of the jewelry intact but for the disintegration of the thread binding them together. Archeologists used large sheets of adhesive paper to transfer the beads from the skeleton, allowing them to painstakingly restring the beads and restore the glory of the original jewelry. There are several beautiful pieces of inlaid spondylus jewelry in the Tikanchay collection.

Discover Spondylus Jewelry: Ancient Sacred Artisan Jewelry

Elaine — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 03:03:16 +0000

The spondylus shell has been prized in Peru for over 4,000 years. Considered a sacred material, cultures as far back as the Moche used it in religious rites, as ornaments for nobility, in burial rituals, and as a form of money. It was also used in water rituals and religious offerings to Pachamama, the goddess of Mother Earth and today it still commemorates femininity and beauty. Spondylus is even more special now because it is only rarely found in the waters off of Peru’s coast. This spiny oyster is more likely to be found in the warm waters off Ecuador. The only time Spondylus does grow in native waters is during the wet season, and thus it has became an omen of rain and a symbol of power and fertility. The delicate Spondylus shell ranges in color from purple to crimson and is a beautiful native material for Artisan Jewelry. The Spondylus Jewelry in our special collection is complemented by gorgeous .950 sterling silver and handcrafted by talented artisans. The Stone and Shell Silver Bracelet featured here and on our website is a perfect example of the high quality Spondylus Bracelet, necklaces and earrings that our master artisans in Peru are creating for our collections.