Auryn Jewelry

The Auryn is a variation of the worm ouroborous (which you can find HERE - a snake eating its own tail, which represents the cyclical nature of the universe and is also a Gnostic symbol for earthly ensnarement. Here, we have two snakes eating each other's tails - which adds a yin yang element to the cycle. This design was made famous by the fantasy movie "The Never Ending Story" where it protected and guided the bearer and was also a seal showing the bearer to be an emissary of the Childlike Empress of Fantasia. This design is sterling silver with one of the snakes oxidized. Every little scale is hand carved - so it's definitely a labor intensive piece!

On the right one of the snakes is 14kt gold, the other sterling silver. Unlike the Auryn in all sterling silver, this one is put together like a jig saw puzzle - with pieces of gold and pieces of silver soldered together in a "married metal" technique - did I I say that the sterling silver Auryn was labor intensive? THIS is labor intensive!

Zen Cat Pendant

This subtle and simple piece comes without a jump ring and rests nicely on a chain (also available from us, see CHAINS/LINK). Can you see the curled up cat doing what cats do best - napping? It is Zen because of the simplicity of the lines, similar to the great enso of Zen painting: oneness and peace; not two not one. It was sketched first by a friend of ours (hi Pam!) as she gazed at our sleeping kitty. Want that 14kt gold kitty as a pendant? Email us.

Bast, the Egyptian cat is here and here. Anubis (y'know cats and dogs?) is here.

Dolphin Jewelry

In Greek myth, dolphins carry the souls of the dead to their rebirth in paradise. Thus the dolphin is the symbol for rebirth and renewal. Dolphins are certainly considered one of the smartest mammals (exhibiting self awareness, like humans) and some people think they are precursurs to humans - a direct gift from the gods! Or even gods themselves. The dolphin is one of the first symbols that Mark designed and cut out of silver and gold lo those many years ago in Key West. Did he see dolphins cavorting off the Southernmost Point? Probably.

Dolphins, with their playfulness and their friendliness to man (known to help fisherman fish and to save drowning men) are naturally seen as kindred souls if not brothers. Here, the union of two dolphins celebrate the integration of the personality through the process of spiritual rebirth.

According to "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" dolphins are the second most intelligent creatures on earth (after mice but before humans) who try in vain to warn humans of the impending destruction of the planet. However, their behaviour is misinterpreted as playful acrobatics. Their story is told in "So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish", the fourth book in the Hitchhiker series.

Dragon Jewelry

This is a Celtic or European style dragon. Curiously, the dragon has almost opposite meanings in the East and West. In the West the dragon is often associated with Satan, representing man's primeval nature which must be overcome by strength and self-discipline. To Christians he can be Satan himself. Dragon's Hill, Oxfordshire, England is the site of a curious natural formation below the white horse of Uffington that is said to mark the site where St George killed his dragon. The top of the hill is said to have been so poisoned by the blood of the dragon that it will no longer grow vegetation - in fact the top soil has long been eroded, leaving the chalk surface open to the skies.

Gecko Lizard Jewelry

A symbol for the limbic system and kundalini energy, the lizard also represents the cyclical movement of energy through the universe & the configuration of the space/time continuum. Geckos also mean good luck if one crosses your path. Geckos are considered to be a symbol of keeping one eye on the past while focusing the other on the future. The gecko lizard is one of the few reptiles that have a voice and in Hawaii the Gecko's chirp is often taken as an affirmation of spiritual significance. But to the Polynesians, if a gecko 'laughs' at you it is an omen of terrible misfortune!

Postmodern, Emerald Eating Lizard Pendant

The earrings on the right are 'pomo' lizards with14kt gold spines, sterling silver bodies and heads and emeralds in their mouths. The pendant on the left has a 14kt gold body, a copper/silver spine and an emerald in it's mouth. The design sprang forth after Mark chipped an emerald that he was setting and I said that it looked like a bite had been taken out of it. Combine this with my love of lizards and you have emerald eating reptiles! Other stones can be used, of course. The earrings cost $700. with AA grade emeralds. The pendant - priceless as it is mine - but your version might cost $500 if you wanted the same metals and stone. Email us for the many options - including a single earring.

Mermaid Jewelry

The mermaid descends from ancient traditions connecting the goddess with the sea as the universal womb. Aphrodite was said to have a fishtail. In India the Nagas were human above the waist and water serpents below. They lived in springs and rivers, guarding treasures in their palaces. As late as the 19th century British law claimed that any mermaid found in home waters was the property of the Crown! The sailor's dream, mermaids are variously seen as seductive, dangerous, and compassionate, symbolizing the qualities of the sea as mother, lover, friend and enemy. There's always been an element of danger in the old stories of mermaids. Mermaids sometimes help drowning sailors, but, as often as not, they're the last sight the sailor sees. As far as the story that mermaids were sea cows or manatees I don't believe that even sailors could get quite that drunk!

She looks great with 'watery' stones, especially pearls. Email us about that.

Phoenix Jewelry

The phoenix is a mythical, sacred firebird in ancient Egyptian mythology, and in myths derived from it. Said to live for 500 or 1461 years (depending on the source), the phoenix is a bird with beautiful gold and red plumage. At the end of its life-cycle the phoenix builds itself a nest of cinnamon twigs that it then ignites; both nest and bird burn fiercely and are reduced to ashes, from which a new, young phoenix arises. The new phoenix is destined to live as long as the old one. The bird was also said to regenerate when hurt or wounded by a foe, thus being both immortal and invincible — a symbol of fire and divinity. Tears from a phoenix can heal wounds. The garnet is the perfect stone to put on a phoenix where the flames begin.

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Phoenix Pendant with Stone

Small: $45 Code:675s (25X13mm or 1.0"X 0.5")

Medium: $50 Code:676s (33X17mm or 1.3"X0.7")

Large: $75 Code:677s (44X23mm or 1.7"X0.9")

This phoenix is modeled after the logo of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and is also a traditional variety of the Western style phoenix. The Greek word for phoenix means purple/red or crimson and the tail of a phoenix, if not the whole bird, is a mix of gold and crimson. We have yet to make this wonder both in gold and with a red stone but we want to!

These Western phoenices (Latin plural) probably referenced an actual bird that "merely" had a supernatural lifestyle! The Asian phoenix however, or Fenghuang, is pure chimera. According to Chinese scripture, Fenghuang is said to be made up of the beak of a rooster, the face of a swallow, the forehead of a fowl, the neck of a snake, the breast of a goose, the back of a tortoise, the hindquarters of a stag and the tail of a fish. Can we make that for you?! Shoot us an email.

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Phoenix Pendant Rising

Small: $35 Code:321 (23X17mm or 0.9"X0.7")

Medium: $40 Code:322 (32X23mm or 1.3"X0.9")

Large: $60 Code:325 (43X30mm or 1.7"X1.2")

The Phoenix symbolizes rebirth, especially of the sun, and has variants in European, Central American, Egyptian and Asian cultures. In the 19th century, Hans Christian Anderson wrote a story about the phoenix. Edith Nesbit features a phoenix in one of her children's stories, 'The Phoenix and the Carpet,' as does J.K. Rowling in the 'Harry Potter' series. In one volume, the phoenix does its resurrecting routine. A phoenix would be a great gift for a Potter fan!

Scorpion Jewelry

With its deadly sting, the scorpion is associated with menace, but also with the magick to ward off the sting. That the scorpion will kill itself rather than be taken - anybody you know? - is an untrue but highly prevalent myth. In ancient Greece the scorpian has played a large role in culture and religions: when Persius slew Medusa, the blood that leaked out of her severed neck turned into scorpions and snakes as it hit the ground. The constellation taht we call Scorpio is named The Scorpion all over the world through time and culture from ancient Babylon to modern South America. This is a tattoo scorpion design from the South Pacific. Note the pancultural spiral in the middle; another look at birth-death-rebirth.

I think that the huge popularity of the scorpion is due to it's menacing nature - and from such a little creature too. We expect Scorpios to be dark, mysterious, dramatic and dangerous. And we like that. A perfect gift for your favorite Scorpio or, if you are following the "your jewelry should match your tattoos" rule, for your scorpion-tatted self.

Snake Jewelry

The snake is a symbol for the cyclic processes of nature and time. For Native Americans the snake symbolized lightning. Throughout Asia and the near East the snake symbolizes sexual energy. Christian symbolism views the snake ambivalently, recognizing it to be a force beyond the neat hierarchies of medieval philosophy, but it is usually condemnatory. According to the Bible however, the snake is the symbol of Jesus Christ, in His quality of being the Redeemer: "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up" - John 3:14

These make great earrings as you can imagaine! And the little darling on the right can of course be made without a stone. Email us about that.

The snake is one of the Chinese zodiacal signs. The person born in the year of snake is perhaps the wisest and most enigmatic of all. He/she can become a philosopher, a theologian, a political wizard or a wily financier. Such a person is a thinker who also likes to live well. The snake-person loves books, music, clothes, and fine food; but with all their fondness for the good things in life, their innate elegance gives them a dislike for frivolities and foolish talk.

A few of our snake rings. Email us about them.

Zuni Thunderbird Pendant

This particular thunderbird derives from tattoo flash and is influenced by the Zuni Indians. Depending on who is telling the story, the Thunderbird is either a singular entity or a species. In both cases, it is intelligent, powerful, and wrathful. All agree that one should go out of one's way to keep from getting the thunderbird(s) angry. The singular Thunderbird was said to reside on the top of a mountain, and was the servant of the Great Spirit.

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Zuni Thunderbird Pendant

Small: $35 Code:331 (21X27mm or 0.8"X1.1")

Medium: $40 Code:332 (28X37mm or 1.1"X1.5")

Large: $60 Code:336 (37X49mm or 1.5"X1.9")

Three Hares Symbol Jewelry

The three hares is a circular motif which appears in sacred sites from the Far East to the churches of south west England. The symbol features three hares chasing each other in a circle. Each of the ears is shared by two animals so that only three ears are needed. The hares have a number of mystical associations and are associated with fertility and the lunar cycle. However,the precise origin and significance of this unusual design are uncertain, as are the reasons why it appears in such diverse locations.

The theory of the ancients that the hare was hermaphroditic and could procreate without a mate led to the belief that it could give birth to young without loss of virginity. In Christian contexts, the three hares may be associated with the Virgin Mary in her role in the redemption of mankind. This might explain why a three hares depiction is often juxtaposed in western European churches with a depiction of the Green Man, who stands as a representation of sinful humanity - perhaps.

Zuni Bear Jewelry

According to Zuni mythology, the bear fetish is the Guardian of the West which has the power to heal and to transform human passion into wisdom. Zunis believe that Bear is invaluable whenever you are faced with change and transition and that he can be your ally when you are attempting to resolve conflict, to forgive yourself or others for errors of the past, or when you are faced with new challenges in your spiritual path. There is a particular kind of depression of the spirit sometimes associated with the deep introspective stages of transition and change. When this occurs, Bear is a reminder that there is a positive parallel between depression and the natural state of hibernation; when involvement with the outer world is minimized in order to focus more energy on the inner processes necessary for a successful transition. Bear reminds us that one of our great powers is the power of turning to solitude and introspection in order to integrate new experience and change.

The heartline is found on Zuni fetish drawings of animals; it represents the life force of the animal, and amulets containing heartline drawings are considered powerful talismans.