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| Sterling Silver Legends Pendant Necklace with Sodalite |
The Peruvian town of Urubamba
is a famous passage that leads to Machu
Picchu.
However, Urubamba has its fair share of
attractions that include the ruins of Chinchero.
Peru is also home to featured jewelry designer Karla Contreras.
Ethnic jewelry is far more than an appealing display of precious metals and gemstones. It is an expression of identity, culture and history.
Contreras’ commanding yet elegant
gemstone pendants, silver rings, and dangle earrings allude to the mystery of
Inca warriors and royalty.
The deep surface carvings offset by prominent, smooth stones
like blue-green chrysocolla are reminiscent of antiquities.
Medallions evoke the
societal and economic positions of the powerful. Tumi charms and the Nazca Lines each serve as
influence to her captivating style.
“I find inspiration in our Andean culture. It is wonderful when people can appreciate
our ancestral art legacy through different kinds of jewelry,” reflects the
twenty-four year old. “I am glad I can
add something to this process.”
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| Sterling Silver Moon Mystic Bangle Bracelet with Chrysocolla |
Born to parents who owned a jewelry workshop, by age 15
Contreras was well on her way to developing her own jewelry legacy. “I started going to art fairs with my mom
when I was fifteen. Her work was highly
prized particularly by visitors to Peru.
It was then I decided I wanted to work with my mom and
dad. I wanted to learn the crafting
process. I realized I wanted to
complement my designs with our rich cultural history. Thanks to my parents I create my own designs
and feel proud I have found my own expression in our family art.”
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| Sterling Silver Protection Pendant Necklace with Chrysocolla |
2014 Jewelry Trend Alert: Blue
gemstones like chrysocolla are prominent in Contreras’ collection as well as
elegant medallions.
Her implementation
of the color blue and medallions are on point for the year’s style trends.
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