The waters off the Indonesian island of Bali are home to oyster beds that produce some of the most beautiful pearls in the world. Handmade by Balinese artists and silversmiths, we bring you some of these stunning designs. This adjustable bracelet is created from hand-selected checkerboard-cut garnets set in sterling silver.
The fiery red gemstone of January, garnet actually describes a range of stones and colors. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all considered it the traveler's stone for the belief that it could protect the wearer from evil. Although some of the most striking examples are found in Africa, garnet from Bohemia was much in demand during the 18th century, when designs often featured many small stones set in clusters like pomegranate seeds. Today artisans in jewelry-making centers in India, Indonesia, Russia, and elsewhere use garnet—fiery red, earthen brown, and even a brilliant green favored by Tiffany and Faberge—to create vintage- and ethnically inspired new designs.
