ALAHAS: Philippine Heritage Jewelry by Maria Angelica S Bermejo is now launched! Limited first edition copies now available at alahasbook.com.

Fun, whimsical, romantic, serene—whatever your mood, dive deep into the vivid allure of nature's gems: rare, organic treasures that are true gifts from nature.

Cecilia

Red, white, and corals

Cecilia brings to life a woman of intuition; a Filipina who nurtures personal connections with the world around her.

Footnotes

Coral

One of the few organic gemstones on earth, corals are actually not rocks but the skeletons of tiny marine invertebrates. Known for their colorful hues, there are many types of species, but the one valued most by jewelers is called “precious coral,” which can be blood red to pale pink. Corals have long been prized by ancient civilizations. Roman children wore them to ward off illness and danger, similar to the Greeks, except the latter also believed corals could deter storms, poison, and theft. The gemstones are also symbols of longevity and promotion to the Chinese, and are considered one of the 18 sacred objects of the Navajo Indians.

Source: Antique Jewelry University

The Soft Call of Coral

When jewelers speak of coral, more often than not they are referring to the red coral. Found along the Mediterranean, these are valued for their pale peach to fiery red hues, and their versatility, allowing artisans to turn them into sculptures, cameos, beads, chains, and cabochons. Coral was first worn in ancient Europe to protect against evil, evolving into a more ornamental piece. In the 1920’s, Art Deco designers used coral to bring pops of color to jewelry; while raw polished corals became all the rage for hippies in the 70’s. Today, coral is still highly prized, with more jewelers finding more sustainable and responsible ways to use this rare resource.

Source: The New York Times. March 14, 2016

What is Amber Jewelry?

Carrying years of history, amber is a natural gemstone formed by the fossilization of ancient tree resin. The oldest piece of amber is about 30 to 60 million years old. It was formed when resin underwent the right conditions of heat, pressure, oxygen, and light to harden it into a glass-like stone. And perhaps what makes amber even more interesting are the different insect and plant species that are preserved in it, making this gemstone a true time capsule.

Source: Roma Designer Jewelry

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