A pair of snakes hold aloft a small emerald cut Labradorite in a profile reminiscent of a traditional 'engagement' ring. This smaller size makes this offering ideal for everyday wear.

Made popular again by Queen Victoria by way of her own serpentine engagement ring gifted to her by Prince Albert in 1839- snake jewelry saw a rise in popularity. Considered to be a Romantic Period due to the famed romance between to two royals, snakes took on the symbol of everlasting / eternal love ( & life ) when in the form of the Ouroboros ( see the Medusa Ouroboros band here ) as well as considered to be guardian spirits - akin to the proximity of Medusa here. 

Medusa:

Ancient Medusa lived a solitary, lonely life in a subterranean cave. Her ‘otherness’ was the nest of snakes atop her head: in earlier iterations, she was monstrously grotesque, but as time passed her features gave way to a stunning beauty beneath the hands of the artists who reimagined her.

This re-visioning marked her as one of the first ‘Femme Fatales’ of the cultural consciousness – a creature possessing the beauty of a woman and all the power that physical beauty bestows (seduction, sexual prowess) but also terrifying in her deeper powers of death. She embodies the tension between beauty and terror: one look from Medusa turned anything living into stone, though no women were recorded in Myth to have befallen this fate.

Separated from the body, the head of Medusa took on apotropaic qualities, appearing at the entryway of structures and homes to ward off evil and trespassers. In this way, the head of Medusa took on a protectionary quality, frightening away energies and people intent on harm, contradicting the murderous qualities she possessed when fully embodied. Beheaded by Perseus as a trophy, even her blood held potent magical qualities: Pegasus was born from her severed neck and coral is said to be the hardened blood of the Medusa. Set in fine metal, coral also became apotropaic, often worn on the necks of children that extended past ancient times.

Akin to the lightning bolt of destruction in The Tower, Medusa embodies this energy with her death gaze. Wearing these talismans brings this duality of nature to their wearer: her head as a symbol, became a protectionary talisman, while in life, she was a force of destruction; horror and death. The energy of both beauty and terror exists within us, much as the snake has the power of its deadly venom as well as the power to heal.  Beauty and Terror. Life and Death.

*Details*:

- Sits almost 7mm off of the finger

- Solid sterling silver, oxidized to our favorite shade of gloomy grey, and hand finished to reveal the highlights beneath

- Set with a 5 x 7mm emerald cut labradorite

Labradorite:

Labradorite is known for its healing properties, in particular for its ability to relieve anxiety & melancholy. It is also said to be used to dispel negativity & fear, acting as a kind of psychic armor to protect against more troubling & turbulent emotions. As a 'sister' to moonstone, Labradorite is often associated with the more "darker" aspects of the Goddess, in her Crone form, full of the experience & wisdom of life and death, associated with the darker moon: waning through new moon phases.

It is also a stone of transformation, and is said to help those with intuitive gifts to awaken and realize their full potential as well as helping enhance creative talents. It also ranks as one of the most protective stones, shielding its wearer from negativity. Much like its 'sister' Moonstone, Labradorite has been used and worn in many cultures and tribes for both its incredible natural beauty, and for its potent magical properties.

As they are entirely natural, earth made stones, color and clarity will vary from stone to stone.  Labradorite has natural lines and inclusions and varies in shades of green (teal, swamp green, olive green) to shades of (light grey to dark) blue. If you have any concerns over the stone that will be chosen for you, please contact us before making your purchase so we may best assist you.

 ***IMPORTANT***

This jewel is handmade to order, just for you, with care and focus. Please allow approximately 6 - 8 weeks for creation before shipping.                   

Visit the Policy Page to make an educated and informed purchase HERE.

If you have further questions, we are always here to serve you in a kind and timely manner: via bloodmilkjewels@gmail.com