sterling silver flower mandala necklace with garnet

This one-of-a-kind design features a hand-cut sterling silver flower, which I hand-etched in an intricate flower mandala design. I hand-cut the petals in an intricate pattern to create dimension around a faceted garnet cabochon, nestled within a complementing sterling silver bezel. The 18 inch long sterling chain allows the pendant to rest perfectly upon the chest. This is an eye-catching necklace, is perfect for layering and can easily be dressed up or down. 

Garnet is found the world over, and though commonly known to be red, it is in fact found in a variety of colors and chemical formulas, each with its own set of spiritual properties. Legends and folklore place garnet among the most ancient of talismans. Not only was it prized as an ornamental jewel, but its strong curative powers and protective energies made it invaluable. The distinctive title Garnet is derived from the Latin name Granatum, a pomegranate, because of the resemblance the granular varieties of Garnet bears to the seeds of that fruit. Garnets whose color suggested that of blood, were not only believed to confer invulnerability from wounds, but some Asiatic tribes launched garnets from their sling bows, and later as bullets, the principle being the blood-colored stone would inflict a more deadly wound than a leaden bullet. 

Garnet provides a protective influence and a calming stable vitality during use. It is thought to heal emotional problems. Medicine men used it to cure mental depression. Garnet is useful to have in a crisis, particularly in situations where there seems to be no way out or where life has fragmented. It fortifies, activates, and strengthens the survival instinct, bringing courage and hope into those situations. Crisis is turned into challenge under Garnet's influence and promotes mutual assistance in times of trouble.