The Amazon Rainforest is home to an array of fascinating plant and animal life. In fact, some species aren’t found anywhere else on the planet. Blue morpho butterflies are especially elusive, usually moving too quickly to be photographed. They are often only seen as blue blurs flitting across the treetops. The beauty of their iridescent wings is captured in this handcrafted silver pendant. Since butterflies have a short life span, their wings can be found in the rainforest after they live out their natural lives – no butterflies are harmed to make these Artisan Jewelry designs. Their natural beauty is complemented by sleek sterling silver settings which are placed on simple sterling chains. Designs like this Blue Morpho Butterfly Wing Pendant add a bit of vibrant color to any ensemble.
Peruvian turquoise is said to be a healing and calming stone. It can bring serenity and peace to those who wear it. With its beautiful teal hue, it’s soothing just to look at. This stone is naturally swirled with green and blue, which together make it a lovely shade – and each piece is naturally different. Our Peruvian Turquoise Jewelry has always been a favorite at Tikanchay. The more technical name for this particular stone is chrysocolla. It is different than the turquoise found in other areas, and is unique. The Peruvian Turquoise Pendant in the photo to the left is set in a handcrafted .950 sterling setting and placed on a black suede cord. It’s a simple yet eye catching design that pairs easily with almost any outfit.
Huayruro seeds are very popular in Peru – you’ll see them in every market. The seeds are very versatile, and can be used in decorative housewares as well as jewelry. Their vibrant color naturally attracts people to them, and the story behind them is what keeps them intrigued. When I have worn the necklace on the model in the photo, I have received so many questions and compliments. It is definitely a conversation starter, and not your average piece of jewelry. We call it the Multistrand Huayruro Necklace. The seeds are accentuated with tiny sterling silver beads and soft cotton cords which make it a nice everyday necklace. Of course, the huayruros also give it an exotic look that will make you look like a world traveler, even if you rarely leave home! And some extra good luck from the seeds certainly can’t hurt. See our other posts on huayruros to learn more.
These are some of our favorite Artisan Earrings for spring, with an etched flower design. They’re long enough to make a distinct fashion statement, yet dainty and feminine as well. The playful and intriguing design is the result of our work with talented artisans in Peru. We search the markets for the most creative artists and the highest quality jewelry. These Silver Flower Earrings earrings are made with .950 sterling silver, and will maintain their shine with some basic maintenance over time. Just use a silver polishing cloth if needed (available on our website) or keep them in a sealed plastic bag to avoid any tarnishing, and they will be one of your favorite accessories for years to come. Artisan Jewelry made with sterling silver can tarnish when exposed to air, so keeping your silver in sealed bags is the easiest way to maintain its luster.
This triple strand bracelet features multicolored freshwater pearls. Black, pink and white pearls are a beautiful combination when accented with sterling silver handcrafted beads. We love this classic, feminine style. Unlike a standard one strand pearl bracelet, this design has more depth. It sits perfectly on the wrist, and is chunky enough to make a statement yet sophisticated enough to be worn with an elegant outfit. The Tikanchay Sterling Silver Pearl Jewelry collection also features necklaces and earrings that are all handcrafted by talented artisans in Peru. This Artisan Pearl Bracelet is also made with a simple sterling clasp that holds it securely in place. Quality is our top priority when choosing designs to add to the Tikanchay handcrafted jewelry collection, and the reason we have so many repeat customers. We test each design by wearing it ourselves before we offer it to you. Browse through our selection of artisan jewelry to find a look that fits your style, and you can be sure it will be a piece you will enjoy wearing for years to come.
Our new featured collection is “Silver and Black.” Silver and Black Jewelry designs like this Sterling Silver Flower Bracelet are timeless, and really can be worn any time of the year, but we think this beautiful silver flower is a great spring accessory. We’re just starting to see the first spring flowers bloom, and this bracelet will let you keep one close to you whenever you wear it! Be reminded of this wonderful time of year no matter where you are or how cold it is with this special artisan bracelet. The other pieces in our featured collection all share a perfect mixture of contrasting black and silver, but they each have their own style and story. Whether you’re looking for simple and modern or traditional and intricate, you’ll find a piece that fits you. Hammered textures, sleek lines, soft suede paired with gleaming silver – you’ll find all of this and more within this collection.
We love hearing from our customers. Karen from Milford, CT recently contacted us to say how much she loves wearing her Gourd Pendant. Karen said, “I’ve never received so many compliments and questions about a piece of jewelry before.” A special tool allows artisans to create different designs and hues in the natural gourd to create designs like this. Gourd carving has existed in Peru for centuries, and the artisans we work with have perfected their art. All of the gourds are meticulously carved first, then cut to fit perfectly in sterling silver Artisan Jewelry. This pendant comes on a leather cord, which complements its natural, earthy feel. Browse our selection of other Gourd Jewelry designs to find one that fits your style.
It seems that everyone has spring fever this time of year, when the days grow slightly longer and we start to see the sun a little bit more. It’s still very cold here in Connecticut, so we’re looking forward to the change of seasons and the snow melting. One of our favorite Handcrafted Jewelry looks for spring is straw jewelry. These Straw Earrings are woven by hand by ladies in a small village, and then we have them capped in sterling silver by a talented Peruvian silversmith to add an elegant touch. Each pair comes with a slightly different design, but they are all made with naturally colored brown and tan straw. These light earrings are wonderful for spring, and the earthtones make them an easy accessory to throw on with your favorite outfits.
When many people think of opals, they picture iridescent white stones. But opals can come in a variety of colors, including blue and pink. This multicolored bracelet displays Peruvian opals, which are said to relieve stress. We nicknamed this Peruvian Opal Bracelet the Serenity Bracelet. Aside from the story behind the stones, we love the muted pastels and the way the bracelet hangs gracefully on the wrist. This is special piece that has existed as part of the Tikanchay collection since the beginning. The stones alternate with sterling silver balls, and each one hangs from sterling links that are pieced together by hand. A lot of care and dedication goes into creating a piece of Artisan Jewelry like this, and that explains all of the complements our customers receive when they wear it!
Although semi-precious stones used in Artisan Jewelry are often beautiful on their own, it is the settings they are placed in that make stone jewelry so appealing. Some people prefer Mother of Pearl Jewelry with very simple settings, and others like settings that make the shell look more elegant and sophisticated. We offer several different kinds of stone and shell pendant designs at Tikanchay. We call this one “Three Bolitas” for the three tiny spheres on the bottom of the design. We like the way the sterling silver brings out the luminous quality in the Mother of Pearl, and the fact that this setting reminds us of vintage designs. We also have matching earrings which complete the look. This Mother of Pearl Necklace is one of our smaller pendants, with it a light, dainty feel. This piece is very feminine and pretty, making it a great choice for spring.
