Inspired by the large beaded strands of Frida Kahlo that I was able to view in person when her exhibit 'Appearances Can Be Deceiving' was in Brooklyn in 2019, this more 'simple' yet striking strand features large, luminous silver sheen obsidian spheres from Mexico, paired with small sterling silver beads. 

In ancient civilizations, obsidian was associated with the night, death, and the Underworld, and was often included in funerary items such as urns and jewelry. It was also used in weaponry such as knives and arrow tips, as well divinatory items such as polished mirrors, which it is still used for today.  

Silver Sheen Obsidian:

Silver Sheen Obsidian is a natural stone made of polished volcanic glass from Mexico. These beads are dark in color but have beautiful flashes of silver when turned, that resemble the moon going through her many phases, or tiny galaxies teeming with space dust. 

As a natural stone, clarity and color varies; each bead has been hand selected for its quality.

Please keep in mind that these beads are ‘earth made’ and then each one is hand cut and hand formed. You will see the earth’s inclusions inside and outside each sphere. Nothing is imperfect to me. I see evidence of a jeweler’s or a stone cutter’s hand and I think of Rodin, and how his sculptures included the evidence of his hands - from a hundred plus years ago - and how that connects me and my team, to this lineage of hand-making, in a time when machinated ‘perfect’ work is becoming more and more normalized. I am trying to resist this idea of ‘perfection’, and I implore the same of you. These are all hand made, and earth made beautiful objects, so inherently, by today’s standards, they are ‘imperfect’ - because humans had their hands, and more importantly, their hearts on them.

The photographs accurately portray the quality of the stones and the cuts. 

This strand measures approximately 35 inches long from end to end. At its closure is our is our largest protective Eye clasp, cast in sterling silver, oxidized to our favorite gloomy grey and finished to highlight the shining silver beneath.  

This clasp is tactile in nature making it easily held between the tips of your fingers and rubbed for comfort in times of grief, anxiety, dissociation, as well as during moments of joy and wonder.  

IMPORTANT:

Please visit our POLICY PAGE to make an educated and informed purchase HERE

Some of the beads used in this strand are limited. We can not anticipate whether or not this particular style will be available again after this release. 

*Length note: Because individual bead measurements vary slightly, total strand lengths are approximate within a few millimeters in either direction. Please reach out via email if you have any questions about this. 

This strand is handmade to order, just for you. Please allow approximately 6 weeks for creation before shipping.

Please email: bloodmilkjewels@gmail.com with any questions and we will get back to you in a kind and timely manner.