This handmade creation is offered in partnership with NOVICA in association with National Geographic.We were playing with geometry and angles when we came up with this design confides the Jimenez Family, who set squares of natural jade in sterling silver encasings. Mined in Guatemala, jade was regarded by the Aztec and Maya as being of a higher value than gold. Symbolizing immortality, jade is also believed to attract love and money.
Product Features:
- Chain width: 1 mm
- Necklace: 18" L x 0.6" W x 0.2" D
- Weight:1.03 oz
- Gemstone: Jade
- Gemstone color: Green
- Gemstone shape: Square
- Natural stone - some variations in color and/or pattern are to be expected
- Seven bezel-set square-cut jades each measure 15 mm W x 13 mm L
- Metal: .925 Sterling silver
- Finish: High polish
- Style: Pendant
- Clasp: Toggle
- Made in Guatemala
Story Behind the Art:
They didn't know anything about it they both come from farming backgrounds. But along with their children Saira Maribel and Luis Estuardo they ventured into the world of silver and jade.Pedro and Esperanza took a huge chance when they decided to become jewelry artisans. They didn't know anything about it in fact they both come from farming backgrounds. But along with their children Saira Maribel and Luis Estuardo they decided to venture into the world of silver and jade. Pedro and Esperanza's story begins when on holiday in western Guatemala, Pedro – then 19 years old – met Esperanza who was 17 years old. At the time Esperanza washed and ironed clothes at the house of a woman whose son had a silversmith workshop. One day I was busy carrying some corn when the silversmith’s wife called me over, and to my surprise told me she would like to offer Pedro a job recalls Esperanza. And that's how our journey into this wonderful world of jewelry began for us says Pedro.When I was 12 years old I had worked for a while with a weaver specializing on the pedal loom. We wove pieces to sell at the market in Antigua. It requires a lot of hard work and the rewards are few. So I gladly joined the silversmith for six years, during which time I learned a lot from him.Then we decided to set up our own workshop, where we could let our imagination and creativity run free, and we could work on our own designs.Esperanza remembers that at first it wasn't easy.
I remember well another occasion, because it was my daughter’s birthday, when Pedro was on his way to deliver some products to a client and I'm not sure what happened, he either fell asleep or something, but the point is he got robbed. That was all the money we had and we were left with nothing, so I went back to washing and ironing for others, as well as looking after a private school in Antigua, where we lived there rent free. There was only one room and we were a family of five, and though it was cramped, it still felt like a palace. Previously we had lived in another place which didn't have a floor, so when it rained it would get very muddy and therefore uncomfortable.It's not all been bad. Through it all we've had a guardian angel looking after us and one day a gentleman offered us his little house. It had a room, a kitchen and a dining room, and it would be ours. The man didn’t know us, and yet he offered the house at a reasonable price which we could pay in installments. It took us eight years to pay for it, and it was a verbal agreement, without any lawyers or papers.
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