Here's to a GOLDen New Year

GLOWING BEAUTY, ENDURING VALUE – THE GOLDEN TOUCH

Gold.

Since the beginning of recorded time gold has been a symbol of wealth and a store of value, adorning the bodies and ensuring the positions of the powerful. The cause of conflict and adventure, civilizations have been built and destroyed in it’s pursuit and safe-keeping. The Latin name for gold, aurum (origin of the elemental symbol au) means “shining dawn”, and to appreciate the luster of gold is indeed a little like soaking in the rays of a rising sun.

A single gram of pure gold’s (24k) rich colour and luster can be beaten into a sheet of 1 square meter, and this extraordinary malleability is the reason for blending it with other base metals, forming alloys for use in jewelry. By improving gold’s hardness the colour is altered, and gold becomes more versatile and enduring in it’s beauty – for example, when combined with copper the warm glow of rose gold is created.

The belief that something so rare and beautiful cannot be anything but healthy has prevailed from medieval royalty to modern science, and this most malleable and ductile of all the pure metals is frequently used in medical science and technology.



“As every thread of gold is valuable, so is every moment of time”.

Wear your timeless Nagicia gold with an attitude of presence, marking your value, and your value for the gift of each moment.

COPPER – ANCIENT AND ESSENTIAL

With a history of use that is at least 10,000 years old, copper, with it’s distinctive reddish orange hues, was known to some of the of the oldest civilizations on record. Pure copper lumps were used as currency by the Romans, valued at first for their weight alone, until Julius Caeser introduced shape and stamp as significant. It’s lustrous beauty produced ancient mirrors, and by reflecting beauty became associated with the goddesses of love from both Greek and Roman cultures, Aphrodite and Venus.

Copper is one of the most important components of silver and gold alloys, improving strength and hardness without dulling their shine. In purer form, copper eventually corrodes to acquire the characteristic green patina we see in aged architecture and statuary.

Antibacterial and germicidal, copper has long been used in medical science, perhaps beginning with the Egyptians as long ago as 2400BC. They employed copper as jars to purify water for drinking and sterilizing wounds, curing headaches, healing burns and relieving itching. The holistic medical science of India, Ayurveda, used this highly malleable metal to form surgical instruments and other medical equipment as long ago as 1000BC and Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician, is known to have used copper solutions to dress leg wounds.

The copper ion is an essential trace nutrient to all higher plant and animal life. In all animals it is found in liver, muscle and bone tissue.

Ebony and copper ring from the Nagicia 'Namu' Collection

Silver

A bolt of lightning… The glowing orb we call the moon… Light reflecting on the surface of water.

Silver.

The white, metallic luster of silver is brilliant. Matching extremely high optical reflectivity with total receptivity to polishing, the dazzling shine of silver has been the choice of jewelry makers and jewelry wearers for centuries.

Two and a half thousand years ago, Socrates, the Classical Greek Philosopher, credited as one of the founders of Western Philosophy, and often named the “father of medicine” asserted that that silver had beneficial healing and anti-disease properties. Before this, the Phoenicians are said to have stored water, wine, and vinegar in silver bottles to prevent spoiling. Naturally aseptic, evidence of silver and/or silver-alloy surgical and medical instruments has been found in early Roman and Egyptian civilizations. Contemporary use of silver medically includes wound dressings containing silver, increasing in importance due to the increase of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Nagicia uses highest quality sterling silver, the industry standard, an alloy containing a small percentage of copper to increase it’s durability. Anyone can wear silver, and for many it is the preferred precious metal.

Kupu Kupu ~ Butterfly

Like delicate flowers in flight, Nagicia’s Kupu Kupu Collection skillfully captures the beauty of the butterfly in brass, silver and gemstones.

Beginning it’s life as an earth-bound caterpillar, this creature works diligently during it’s brief life to build a protective covering , a place to retreat and undergo remarkable change. The time spent inside the chrysalis is when the beauty of both colour and form are forged. The subsequent struggle to emerge from this self-imposed captivity builds the tremendous strength required for flight. This unique life cycle has come to stand as a symbol for personal transformation and emotional maturity, and the freedom they bring.

Kupu- kupu means butterfly in Indonesian, and Nagicia has forged this collection in shimmering brass and silver, adorning cut out wing designs with sparkling cubic zirconia and gemstones.

“TRI DATU: The Beauty and Protective Blessings of Silver, Copper and Brass"

NAGICIA Spring/Summer 2011 Jewelry collection. All NAGICIA collection's are hand-made in Bali; it combines the beauty of silver, copper and brass to express shapes and symbols inspired by nature and architecture of the magical island Bali.

In Hindu cultures, number 3 is the magic number, forming a triangular base for many beliefs, practices and rituals. The collection is inspired by the 3 faces of the Divine God-head, 3 states of being and 3 colors: Red, White and Black of Balinese Hindu tradition re-interpreted by NAGICIA as silver, copper and brass. Circle earrings with 3 color mini balls represent the ceremonial clothing worn by the Bali villagers to signal their readiness for blessing. The charm bracelets in woven rattan symbolize the colored threads placed on various body parts of the prayers to invoke power, strength and longevity. The spiritual pieces in this collection vary from Graviola (Sirsak) Leaf Rings,

3 color pendants resembling the temples, to braided leather necklaces with silver, copper and brass details. Linking the wearer with healing, protection and blessing enjoyed by Balinese, the TRI DATU Collection reminds us of the cyclic nature of our existence with its modern line combined with mystical metaphor.

BIRTHSTONE FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST

PERIDOT: THE STONE OF REGENERATION AND CLARITY

Mined as a gemstone for an estimated four thousand years or more, peridot occurs as a range of olive greens, from yellowish green to brownish green. The intensity and tint of the green depends upon unique combinations of inclusions in the crystal structure. Iron, magnesium, nickel and chromium each have a role to play in the appeal of the stones, formed as a result of volcanic activity.

Peridot stones carry the fire of their birth with them, flashing brilliantly and reminding us of the mighty power of nature.

• Finding them glittering in black volcanic sand, the Hawaiians named the stone ”Tears of Pele”, for their Goddess of fire and volcanoes.
• Reputed to be the favourite gem stone of Egypt’s most famous ruler, Cleopatra.
• It is said Egyptian rulers and their high priests drank sacred elixirs from cups cut from single large peridot stones, believing this would draw them closer to the power of Isis, Goddess of Nature.
Working with nature to promote life, this stone counteracts negativity –
• Bringing clarity to replace confusion by opening the mind to new positive possibilities
• Stimulating the body to regenerative tissue growth.
• Cleansing and healing hurt feelings, helping to mend damaged relationships
• Supporting the nervous system and promoting good sleep



These briolette cut drop earrings are set in 22 karat gold, hanging delicately at the end of sinuously linked S curves.


From the Mod collection by Nagicia, this 3 in 1 ring in sterling silver pairs the skill of the Indonesian craftsmen with the beauty of the stones : 5 square faceted peridot stones in an intricate channel setting, each stone butted against the other.

Gemstones are crystal structures that focus energies, connecting the wearer with the power of nature. Amplifying the forces of growth and regeneration and reflecting the quality of clarity, the peridot has much to offer it’s owner.

BIRTHSTONE FOR THE MONTH OF JULY

RUBY: THE STONE OF POWER, PASSION AND VITALITY by NAGICIA

Red is the colour of heat and passion, blood and vitality. The many shades of the ruby give full expression to these powerful messages.

Given as a gift, the ruby communicates the warmth of genuine friendship or the fiery passion of love. Red is the colour of sexual energy, and wearing a ruby can boost personal power and sexuality by connecting us more deeply with our self-love. The ruby gives us the confidence and courage to reach our highest potential.

The healing power of the ruby works with the blood as an aid to circulation, clearing the blood of infection or germs.


This ruby seed bead necklace suspends a blood-red ruby at the tip of a baby lotus cross, pointing the way to the heart. The stones in this piece originated in Jaipur, India.


Ruby rings worn on the left hand feed their power to the heart, boosting the life force. Rubies should not be worn near the solar plexus, as they can disturb the energy there.


Set in gold in a simple yet meaningful motif of feminine empowerment, this eternity band features rubies of rich tone and hue. (Pictured here with another in emerald, birthstone for May.)

One of the four truly precious stones (emerald, diamond, sapphire being the others), some rubies can become more valuable because of inclusions in the stone. Known as the ‘silk’ of the ruby, fine needles of rutile, a naturally occurring mineral, reflect the light along lines shining straight back to the admirer.



Sitting delicately on the collarbones, this necklace of rubellite faceted beads offers five beautiful stones up to the light for appreciation.


The faceted cut of this earring and its drop setting give maximum opportunity for light to play.
The red of a ruby is magnetic, drawing attention to the power, passion and warmth of the stone and the one who wears it.