Necklace of Matte Lapis Lazuli, Antique Moroccan Silver and Antique Berber Blue and Silver Star of David Pendant
Necklace of Matte Lapis Lazuli, Antique Berber Blue and Silver Star of David Pendant, and antique Moroccan silver beads. Disc spacer beads are high quality fine oxidized sterling silver. The pendant and the necklace on the whole have the venerable old look reflecting the age of its components. Silver has not been cleaned or polished - intentionally to preserve this antique look and feel of the necklace.
The necklace is 20" long without the pendant. The pendant is 40 mm in diameter. The pendant is blue enamel and silver. The round matte lapis lazuli beads are 5mm. The elegant box clasp is sterling silver and Lapis Lazuli.
This is an excellent gift for a Bat Mitzvah, Hanukkah, or any other occasions in the Jewish Calendar.
Read more about the components of this necklace below.
About Berber Judaica Jewelry:
The Berbers have been a traditionally nomadic people populating Morocco and neighboring countries on North Africa. Silver jewelry has been traditional and highly valued adornment of Berber women. Morocco is rich in silver mines, and silver was mined there as early as the 1st century AD. In the 15th century, many Jewish silversmith escaping the Spanish Inquisition, arrived in Morocco. They brought with them new casting, piercing and enameling techniques, which had a substantial influence on Berger jewelry-making. Their typical centuries old filigree work is still seen today in much of the modern-day Moroccan jewelry.
With the Jewish population dwindling in Morocco today, the skills of the bygone era silversmiths continue to live in the Moroccan jewelry traditions today way beyond the few remaining Mellahs (Jewish quarters).
The Star of David has been found as an architectural motif in ancient synagogues as early as the 3rd century AD. It started appearing in Jewish texts by the 11th century, and became particularly prominent in medieval Kabbalistic texts. By the 16th century, it became an official symbol of the Jewish communities, appearing on flags, prayer books, Seder plates, and many other objects of Jewish life and ritual. The Star of David remains perhaps the most recognizable Jewish symbol today.
About Lapis Lazuli:
Lapis lazuli is a composite rock containing lazurite, calcite, pyrite, and a number of other minerals in varying quantities. The ancients called it sapphire for the blue color not to confuse it with the modern sapphire which is a different gem). It also was known as Ultramarinum (beyond the sea), when it was first introduced to Europe.
Since antiquity, the main source of Lapis Lazuli was ancient Bactria (now Afghanistan), where ancient mines are still producing the world supplies of this beautiful stone. It was used in religious objects, amulets, and jewelry, as well as in pigments and paints since Neolithic times. Jewelry made of lapis lazuli has been found in prehistoric tombs across Asia, Africa, and Europe. Ancient Sumerians believed it was a royal stone, and through the centuries its “royal blue” color has been associated with royalty. It is said that the breastplate of the Jewish High Priest Aaron included the stone lapis (although referred to as sapphire). Ancient Egyptians loved it in jewelry and amulets, they also appear to be the first to use powdered lapis lazuli in makeup. Lapis Lazuli is found in many Egyptian royal tombs, including that of Tutankhamun.
Its timeless beauty keeps it a favorite in modern times as well. Lapis lazuli is the Traditional birthstone for December and the accepted gem for the seventh and ninth wedding anniversaries. It is the Planetary stone for Capricorn and the Zodiac stone for Libra.
