Handmade Peruvian Jewelry

Peruvian Opal Jewelry, Peruvian Silver Jewelry, Tumi Alpaca, Handpainted Ceramics and More

Handmade Peruvian jewelry is very special since it was the Peruvian designs that peaked my interest in handmade ethnic jewelry. I was just "surfing the net" one day and saw this huge lot of Peruvian jewelry. It was beautifully done using "magic gemstones" and alpaca silver. I never saw anything like it and wondered what on earth it would look like "in person." I figured there had to be a catch. There was no way it could be as beautiful as it was in the photos. When I got it, I was not disappointed. I got Alpaca silver bracelets, alpaca silver earrings, necklaces, rings, anklets....I was thrilled. This Peruvian silver jewelry / jewellery is made with alpaca silver wire swirling all around beautiful "magic gemstones" in all shapes and sizes. It was even better than the photos. I was amazed by the amount of work involved and the complexity of the designs.

The only thing I did was adjust the anklets and bracelets by putting extensions on them. I wanted to make sure they fit everyone. For more information about plus size jewelry click here. If you look at the photos above and below, would you believe that this jewelry is done with nothing more than some gemstones and a spool of wire? If you look closely, you can see the earrings are hung on the side. It's hard to get it all in a photo, so I put them in that way??! The photo above is done in black onyx and below is done in jasper. These sets look great with jeans and they also look great with formal wear. There are more sets in my store, Jewelry! Jewelry! Online! if you'd like to take a peek.

"The tumi was found in the burial place of the Lord of Sipan," explains the designer. "I recreated it with chrysocolla, sodalite, serpentine, and jasper incrustations on .925 sterling silver for jewelry making. My inspiration comes from my feelings and ideas, and I work with different silver techniques, such as burnished and filigree. Lately I've been working with incrustations. It's a more complex technique yet equally beautiful, and it is characteristic of my city, Cuzco. I work with .925 sterling silver for jewelry making and natural "magic gemstones" such as turquoise, lapis lazuli, mother of pearl, serpentine, and more. By working with these living gemstones, I can obtain different shades of colors that are unique to each gem. "I mainly base my designs on Inca artistry, but I like to incorporate modern details to keep up with current trendy jewelry. My aim is to show the world the beauty of Cuzco's artistry. Each handmade Peruvian Jewelry design reflects personal histories and legends that are independent to the design or the materials. My designs preserve our culture's originality and mysticism. In that sense, each piece carries with it a personal mystery."

NOVICA, in association with National Geographic, offers thousands of limited edition and one-of-a-kind gifts, ethnic tribal jewelry, and home decor treasures handmade by master artists and artisans (such as Werner above) throughout the world. Below you will find information about the various artists along with their handmade Peruvian jewelry designs that can be ordered right here from Global Bejeweled.

Maricarmen Marales-Macedo
"My name is Maricarmen Morales-Macedo, and I was born on June 14, 1955. I have always enjoyed creating a variety of things with my hands, and this led me one day to take a jewelry making course. It's the best thing I ever did! Making jewelry is what motivates me. I lose track of time every time I sit down with "magic gemstones" in front of me. I feel a surge of passion for the piece. To me, the art of jewelry design is about simple lines featuring color and textures that bring us closer to nature, making us feel alive within it. When I create a handmade Peruvian jewelry design, I search for the possible contrasts I can obtain from the different materials. That constant search impels you to try your best each time, and translate the ideas you have in your mind into wonderful Peruvian silver jewelry items. I hope to transmit the happiness and sense of satisfaction I feel when I finish a piece. I have set myself the challenge of becoming a good representative of a jewelry artist from my beloved Peru."

Opal's deep translucent glow is hypnotic as it centers a fabulous bracelet by Peruvian designer Maricarmen. She knits fine silver threads into an armor mesh to protect the Andean gem, which is set in .925 sterling silver for jewelry making. Shaped like a cuff bracelet with a clasp, the design recalls Inca stylizations. The second piece of Peruvian Silver jewelry is of Agate with caramel tonalities and centers a pendant inspired by pre-Hispanic art. Worn on a sleek silver choker, it takes its shape from the natural form of the stone. Maricamen's third handmade Peruvian Jewelry Design celebrates Andean tradition with this extraordinary bracelet. Bordered with shining silver, it is a modern version of the pre-Hispanic loom. Caught on gleaming strands, woven by hand, carnelian spheres glow like sparks. And looking at the forth choker, you can see how Maricarmen celebrates Andean tradition with this extraordinary handmade Peruvian Jewelry design.

Regina Flores Montes
Regina Flores Montes remembers how, when she was just a little girl, she would spend hours observing her mother at work creating fascinating gold jewelry. As soon as she was old enough to help, she'd spend more hours around her and by the time she was 15 years old, Regina was making her own creations. Her friends admired her work so much they began placing orders. She studied architecture at university, and then traveled around Europe where she studied contemporary and modern art.

"But I managed to keep designing handmade Peruvian jewelry, which I would send to my mom, who'd have them made by expert silversmiths," Regina tells us. Upon her return she enrolled in archeology courses as well as in Peruvian and Latin American history she has always been involved with the preservation of Andean culture and Quechua language. "I've been designing jewelry since 1970. I would describe my work as entirely creative because I want to transmit through my designs the exotic beauty of Peru's natural landscapes.

In her first handmade Peruvian Jewelry Design, exuberant foliage springs naturally from a slender silver circlet. Regina Flores Montes presents a stunning bracelet that is light due to its luminous openwork. Crafted by hand, its originality and beauty distinguish today's trendy jewelry fashion. Leaves cover a slender branch that slips around the wrist. Shining with the beauty of Andean silver are these enchanting cuff bracelets. She names the second one Sumac, which means "Pretty" in the Quechua language. In the forth design, Regina says "I wanted to honor my Inca ancestors with an original design that celebrates nature. I named my design with the Quechua word Llantu, meaning 'Shadow,' as a reference to how shadows rest on nature." The Peruvian designer conjures the illusion of shadows as she casts the silver leaves with a matte finish, while the cuff bracelet shines with polished elegance.

Patricia Jara
"I was born on August 30, and since 1992, I've been dedicated to varied artesian manifestations in regions throughout the country, and making discoveries in order to show the world the great variety of folklore that exists in the different Peruvian provinces. My artistic formation is entirely self-taught - it is a personal search. I find nourishment within the art of our ancestors, the experience of master artisans, and the influence of foreign designers. I seek to develop products with a sense of identity, one that appeals to international tastes. Gift handicrafts are my life's passion. They achieve the perfect equilibrium between art and people, sensitizing us. It allows me to be in contact with my pueblo - people with a very special philosophy about life, that encloses an innate art in their hands."

Below this handmade Peruvian Jewelry design is interspersed with Andean gemstones and silver tubes. The "magic gemstones" exemplify the beauty of an Inca princess. Patricia Jara selects onyx, green serpentine, blue sodalite, opal and rose quartz for a mesmerizing mix of colors. Done in .925 Sterling silver for jewelry making.

The second handmade Peruvian jewelry design by Patricia, (above) showcases an "opal inspiration" stone in a bold, hand-crafted ring. Thoroughly modern, this sleek ring comes from Leslie Perry's design genius. She juxtaposes two silver orbs with a half moon of Andean opal. Its nuances of color are mesmerizing. Done in .925 Sterling silver for jewelry making.

Marlene Torres
"My name is Marlene, I was born in Peru on March 6th, and I regard myself as a self-taught designer because I grew up in my dad's silversmith workshop and my aunt's seamstress workshop. My studies are in Computers and Integral Logistics. "I inherited from my father, Pedro, his passion for pre-Inca cultures, which he expressed through his work. As a silversmith, he worked by hand with hammer and chisel, shaping metals such as silver and copper. On the other hand, my aunt America, who was a great tailor, instilled in me a passion for sewing and all forms of handcrafts. "My artistic background has always been important to me, so even though I used to work in an office, I used to take the time to design my own wardrobe for work and for parties. However, I was never completely satisfied with the accessories I wore. "I love all things Peruvian, and I am proud to be born in a land that is rich with artistic talent. That is why, in 2003, I decided to find a way to help artisans from different communities to promote their handmade Peruvian jewelry. Marlene Torres finds inspiration in the colorful grandeur of Peruvian "Magic gemstones". She designs a spectacular pair of silver earrings featuring the translucent beauty of Andean opals and the sublime pink hues of rhodochrosite. Opal centers (second bracelet over) this scintillating bracelet. By Peruvian designer Marlene Torres, it features bright bamboo rods on gleaming silver links. Third design, Marlene Torres adapts tribal jewelry to a modern design. Hand-crafted of Andean silver, the bracelet features a series of dancing pendants. Tinted bamboo in earth tones adds a touch of nature. Handmade Peruvian Jewelry designs are done in .925 Sterling silver for jewelry making.

Carolina Gomez de la Torres
I just love fused glass and here are some Peruvian versions of the craft. Born in the spring of 1969, Carolina Gomez de la Torre lives with her husband Armando and their children Armandito and Sebastian. Always inclined toward the relationships between different cultures, people and their customs, she chose a career in hotel administration. She first worked in hotels and restaurants, and later in public relations. Upon the birth of the children, she decided to stay at home with them while exploring the world of gift handicrafts. She studied wood painting, aluminum repousse and now with much satisfaction glass jewelry. When working in glass, she lets her imagination take flight, which results in original designs. Beatriz Muniz Iturburu was born in 1969. She studied communications at university, specializing in publicity. She worked as a TV producer, then as an executive in a prestigious international advertising agency for more than 12 years. Then she decided to turn to art, studying painting in oils and, later, fused glass. The colors of summer radiate from these delightful handmade Peruvian Jewelry designs. Working in art glass, Beatriz and Carolina combine cool greens with ivory and yellow. Set between ceramic beads, the hand-crafted pendant hangs on a green suede cord. Because each piece of art glass is individually crafted, no two are ever identical.

Elizabeth and Luis Irene Elizabeth Campodonico Quintanilla and Luis Alberto Desme Brummert were both born in Lima in 1963, Elizabeth on July 13, and Luis on October 10. Luis graduated in Electronic Engineering and has an MBA, while Elizabeth graduated in Business Administration and has an MBA too.

"We used to work together in telecommunications, but I resigned in 2004 to dedicate myself wholeheartedly to jewelry design," explains Elizabeth. "Luis and I walk together on the path of this wonderful world of art. It all began on an ordinary day, when we were on holidays. We had decided to set forth without a specific destination, just traveling through the small villages around Lima. Eventually we arrived at a silversmith community with a historic legacy, and we became excited with the work they were doing. We watched in fascination as they used ancestral techniques to create amazing Peruvian silver jewelry. From that moment on, we felt the stirrings...."

"This first handmade Peruvian Jewelry design is inspired by looking up into the sky, and seeing it reflect the sea," confide Elizabeth and Luis. "It is an Inca interpretation of the inner world. We call this design Apu Nawi, which in Quechua means the 'Eye of God.'" Their magnificent design features a silver pendant centered by a translucent opal. Done in .925 Sterling silver for jewelry making.

Leslie Perry Gavino
: "I'm Leslie Perry Gavino. I was born in Lima on August 2, 1985. I learned my art at the Instituto Gionelli; I'd describe my designs as free, fresh and new. I've worked full time I jewelry since 2005 and find inspiration in everything around me absolutely everything. I became involved in the world of handmade Peruvian jewelry out of curiosity. Ever since I was a little girl, I've always liked to wear rings and earrings. I didn't realize I could make the same things that I saw, and so I began making alpaca silver bracelets, the easiest pieces. As I grew older, I realized my creative ability was greater than I'd thought. I could spend hours at a time trying to craft a new model. I took a course in jewelry making, and it was there that I found myself. At that time, I was in college, but I looked inside myself and decided to risk it all. I left the university for my jewelry. This has been one of my greatest challenges, to dedicate myself to something that makes me much happier and freer. I've always been a person who takes risks when making decisions. Done in .925 Sterling silver for jewelry making.

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