Balinese silversmith Wayan Sarjana comes from a family of craftsmen, and after years of apprenticeship, now runs his own home workshop near the craft market of his island village. Sarjana elaborates on ancient Indonesian designs to evoke a historical and mystical mood in his jeweled creation. Floral scrolls frame a faceted amethyst center in this exquisite sterling silver bracelet.

Handmade in Indonesia. Approximately 1''W x 6''L.

One of the most striking members of the quartz family, violet hued amethyst has a place in traditions and beliefs of cultures from ancient Israel to modern day Tibet. Ancient Greek folk belief held that if one drank wine from an amethyst cup, it would prevent intoxication, and in many cultures it represents purity, clarity of mind, and chastity. A favorite of royalty, England's early 18th-century Queen Charlotte had a world famous amethyst bracelet and Russian empress Catherine the Great employed thousands of miners to extract the gem from Russia's Ural Mountains, which still yields some of the finest examples. In Tibetan Buddhism, amethyst rosaries are believed to enhance focus and inspire clear-sighted intelligence, an essential state of mind for those pursuing enlightenment.

Under the tutelage of his uncle, Wayan Sarjana has fine-tuned his silversmithing skills to become one of the most talented and innovative craftsmen in his village. Sarjana, an amateur historiographer, returns to his roots for inspiration. He elaborates on ancient Indonesian designs to create elegantly unique silver jewelry.

"I was born in a village called Banjar Apuan Singapadu, Sukawati on the island of Bali. I am the eldest of three children from a family of artists, but I was the first in my family to work with silver.

"I started to learn at the age of fifteen as an apprentice in my village with a man called Nyoman Regig. He was a good but strict teacher. If I made one piece just a little bit wrong he would be so angry with me, but he also taught me how to work under stress and short time limits. A good foundation if you ask me!

"After five years I started on my own to produce original pieces that I sold to local shops. And slowly I was able to save enough money to make my own workshop at home, where I work still until this day.

"My main inspirations come from nature and the daily life around me. Flowers and animals are my favorite subjects, but sometimes-abstract geometrical shapes come into my mind, even though they are inspired strongly by nature originally."