STUNNING 950 SS SPIRAL PENDANT Turquoise Peru ~ RPP$150

Back of pendant is solid silver

STONES INCRUSTATIONS:  An ancient Peruvian technique

This ancient technique had been almost forgotten by silversmiths in Peru, UNTIL the discovery of an intact tomb. It was the now famous TOMB OF THE LORD OF SIPAN. He belonged to the elite and his tomb had jewellery made of gold with "Stone incrustations".

Peruvian ancient cultures such as Moche, Chimu and the Incas valued and used beautiful Peruvian semi-precious gemstones such as chrysocolla, sodalite, obsidian and other materials such as mother of pearl and spondylus (the rare red oyster from the coast of Peru) to elaborate jewellery for their kings, noble class and priests.

In 1996 an intact tomb was discovered in Peru, it is the richest tomb found so far. It was called the tomb of "The Lord of Sipan" and belonged to the Moche culture (0-650 AD). He had been a very important man and his gold jewellery had "Peruvian turquoise incrustations". And it is only since his discovery that some Peruvian jewellerers have learnt this ancient technique.

The stone is cut into small flat pieces of varied sizes and shapes. And then all the pieces of stones are hand selected and put together like if completing a jigsaw puzzle or a mosaic following the design previously choosen by the silversmith.

Among the many golden objects found in the tomb of the "Lord of Sipan" were some "orejeras" which are ear ornaments made of gold with Peruvian turquoise incrustations and only the most important nobles (the Inca's descendents) wore them. This high nobility enjoyed priviligies, they owned land, were supported by the government, didn't pay any taxes, had several wives, were carried in litters and wore clothes similar to the Inca's. The less important nobles were the "curacas".

Photos above:  From the Sipan Museum that contains the archaeological findings in the "Tomb of the Lord of Sipan".  They also have animatronics resembling the Lord of Sipan and his elite, all in full regalia, and a replica of the tomb itself.

About the artist

Olinda Valencia is a young artist and very skillful silversmith from Cusco, Peru. She and her husband Walter have mastered the ancient Peruvian technique of "Stone incrustations".   I have worked with her for several years now and can guarantee the quality of her work.  They have their own workshop and a private shop.  Working with incrustations is a task only for the most tenacious and skillfull jewellers.  The thin pieces required to fill the design can break easily if not handle with the utmost care, not to mention the fragility itself of some materials such as shells (spondyllus and avalon).

Olinda and Walter at their workshop in Cusco, Peru

A gorgeous piece of fine jewellery that you will wear proudly

You can also buy the Turquoise Spiral earrings in our shop or SEE SPECIAL OFFER DOWN BELOW (*)

(*) SPECIAL OFFER FOR ALL OUR CUSTOMERS:

You can buy the SET OF PENDANT AND EARRINGS at $149.95 in our shop and SAVE $20

OLINDA VALENCIA'S FINE RANGE OF 950 SS SPIRAL STONE/SHELL INCRUSTATIONS

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