This handmade creation is offered in partnership with NOVICA, in association with National Geographic.
Zandra Lorena Sajbin designs this sterling silver necklace in honor of Maya astronomy. She crafts the necklace by hand featuring a quetzal bird and a temple over the black jade side of the pendant, and the green jade side features a crescent moon.
Product Features:
- Weight: 0.68 oz
- Pendant Dimension: 1.7" L x 1.3" W x 0.3" D
- Chain Dimension : 2 mm wide x 18 inches long
- Style: Pendant
- Gemstone colors: Green, black
- Gemstone shape: Round
- Two bezel-set oval-cut jades each measure 30 mm
- Metal: Sterling silver
- Finish: High polish, engraved
- Chain: Mariner
- Clasp: Spring ring
- Made in Guatemala.
Story Behind the Art:
I strongly believe that everything is possible if one has dreams, and that nothing is impossible if you work hard to achieve your goals.
My son's pediatrician and a priest from San Lucas Toliman, who I regard as my father, are my guardian angels. I'm a happy person who loves to chat, I'm honest and responsible, and I'm also a little bit strict. I was born on May 23, 1983 in Quiche but I grew up in an orphanage in San Lucas Toliman.
At first my husband and I had a hard time selling our silver jewelry, we didn't have any clients. One day, when we didn't have money for food, I went to see our son's pediatrician and he bought a few pieces. He was our first client.
The first thing I ever made on my own was a pair of silver earrings. My husband taught me so I could help him. I remember watching him work on his own 'til all hours of the night and I really wanted to learn how to craft jewelry. Finally the day came when he asked me to help him and that's how I started. As I saw the jewelry I had been crafting and saw how beautiful it was I felt happy -- everyone kept saying how much they liked what I had made!
It's not been easy getting established as an artisan because silver is very expensive and it's difficult to purchase. But when you set your own mind to it, you can achieve your goals. My greatest dream is to be able to buy a piece of land and build my own house so that I may leave it to my two sons.
I like to work with jade because it is a sacred stone for us Maya people. Jade used to be worn as an amulet, and those who wore the most jade pieces were considered to be the most important people in the community. Rescuing the value of our traditions is always important.
Silver has become a way of life for my family, and little by little I'm teaching my sons so that when they grow up they may choose to continue what their mom and dad began for them.
Guatemala offers many opportunities for those of us who like to work hard and now my husband and I have a workshop where we also sell our designs. I strongly believe that everything is possible if one has dreams, and that nothing is impossible if you work hard to achieve your goals.
I think Novica and the people who support traditional handcrafts can tell that ours is a jewelry that satisfies the highest demands.
Please allow 10 business days for the product to leave our warehouse and to receive tracking information. You should expect to receive this item within 15 business days.