Kanji "Love" Pendant Our Price: $13.00 The Kanji symbols in Japanese writing were adapted from China around the third century. The intricate characters below symbolize the essence of the words they represent. OPTIONS: CLARITY, LOVE, PASSION, TRUTH, PEACE Royal Egyptian Earrings Our Price: $19.00 This jewelry combines the most popular and powerful colors of Dynastic Egypt. Blue represented heaven and red, symbolizing blood, represented life. Gold, with its enduring sheen reflected the powerful rays of the sun god. The original jewelry, found in the tomb of Tutankhamen, was made with faience (fired crushed quartz in various combinations) which was used regularly as a substitute for semiprecious tones. The jewelry of ancient Egypt often had talismanic properties and was believed to protect from harm. Inspired by a Hanukkah candelabrum New Jade Good Luck Pendant with Carved Carnelian Bead Our Price: $19.00 Throughout history in both China and Japan, jade (jadeite or nephrite) has been considered the most precious of all stones. The ancient Chinese associated green jade with wisdom and the ability to ensure long life. Weapons and cutting tools made of jade were stronger than those made of other materials and were common in ancient Chinese as well as Mayan and Egyptian civilizations. Jade and carnelian Cherry Blossom Cluster Earrings Our Price: $31.00 From the collection of the Smithsonian Institition Libraries The cherry blossoms adorning this jewelry set were inspired by similar images found in a tour book of sakura, housed in the Smithsonian Institution Libraries. Sakura is the Japanese term for cherry trees and their lovely pink flowers. Although originally found in Asia, cherry blossoms have come to symbolize spring in Washington D.C., after a gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo was presented to America's capital in 1912. Income from sales support the chartered educational purposes and activities of the Smithsonian Institution.

New Jade Good Luck

African Round Disc Pendant Our Price: $19.00 Often identified with the Asante peoples, brass weights for measuring gold dust were used throughout Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire. Each party to a trade would check the gold using their own weights, that would be both practical and prestige objects. Our pendants featuring weights such as the double snake, sandals and royal fan are copied from brass weights from measuring gold dust, now in the collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art. Income from sales of this product supports the chartered educational purposes and activities of the Smithsonian Institution. African Turtle Drop Earring Our Price: $19.00 Several neighboring peoples in northern Cote d'Ivoire and southwest Burkina Faso make and wear cast copper alloy protective pendants. However this style of turtle, in pairs over triangular waves is distinctively Tusyan. Our turtle jewelry is a detail of a pendant from the Tusyan people of Burkina Faso in the collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art. Income from this product supports the chartered educational purposes and activities of the Smithsonian Institution. Gold Plated Pewter Roman Ancient Glass Triple Drop Earrings Our Price: $19.00 Our classical jewelry is inspired by the art of ancient Greece and Italy. The formal symmetry and simple elegance of classical Greek and Roman jewelry evolved during the Hellenistic period into more lavish designs. The Etruscans of central Italy further enhanced jewelry design of the classical world by incorporating delicate filigree and granulation beads. Glass beads, Gold-Plated Pewter. Bactrian Heart Bracelet with Toggle Our Price: $47.00 Northern Afghanistan, 2nd to 3rd Century, BC The heart symbol today is widely recognized as the symbol for love. It is believed that the origins of the heart shape came from the ancient people of Cyrene inspired by the silphium plant’s leaves and seeds which resemble heart shapes. The hearts in the Bactrian Gold collection are thought to reflect the diverse cultures and art that began to fuse with the silk trade beginning around the end of the first millennium B.C. The notion of unification still resonates today in the iconic heart symbol. Gold-Finish Pewter Length 7" Bactrian Heart Disc Earring Our Price: $24.00 From the collection of the National Museum of Afghanistan. Two thousand years ago, merchants traveling the Silk Road introduced exotic designs to the craftsmen of ancient Afghanistan. These smiths and jewelers used gold, carnelian, turquoise, and other materials to create beautiful ornaments. This jewelry is inspired by the wealth of the Bactrian Hoard unearthed at Tillya Tepe, or“golden hill,” in Northern Afghanistan. Proceeds from the sale of this product support the National Museum of Afghanistan. Materials: Gold-finish base metal Floral Brooch Our Price: $27.00 From the collections of The Judaica Museum of The Hebrew Home for the Aged at Riverdale This floral brooch is inspired by a Hanukkah lamp in The Judaica Museum collection. The brass candelabrum with eight arms originates from 19th century Central Europe. The Hanukkah candelabrum was lit by pouring oil into small cups situated on top of the lamp’s arms. The floral ornament is an exquisite interpretation of the Biblical description of the Temple’s seven branched menorah (Exodus 25, 33). Proceeds from the sale of this product support The Judaica Museum of The Hebrew Home for the Aged at Riverdale