:: Sacred Curiosities™ | Uncommon Jewelry + Photography ::

SAINTS/RELIGIOUS ICONS: A basic definition of a saint is "a person of exalted virtue who is canonized by the Church after death and who may be the object of veneration and prayers for intercession." Saints are most commonly associated with the Roman Catholic Church, other religions also recognize saints but the Roman Catholic Church has a regimented, official process for the creation of saints. Saints have been assigned as specific patrons/patronesses of a variety of occupations, illnesses, or any other number of people or situations. Generally, there are prayers specific to each saint asking them to intercede on your behalf to a higher deity. I feel that one does not have be a follower of a specific faith to benefit from its spiritual message and iconic beauty. (Try a Google search and visit my Links page for more information on specific Saints)

RELICS/RELIQUARIES: From the Latin word reliquiae meaning “remains”. They may be items of a secular and personal nature but traditionally have a religious association. A relic is “something cherished for its age or historic interest; an object kept for its association with the past; a memento; an object of religious veneration, especially a piece of the body or a personal item of a saint.” A reliquary is a vessel that holds/displays relics.

AMULET/TALISMAN/CHARM: These can be made up of any number of components, they're similar items but they are considered to have some subtle differences. Amulets generally act as "shields" against harm or evil spirits. Talismans not only protect but also are used to invoke miraculous effects. Charms are less for shielding or protecting, they are generally used to attract good luck or fortune.

SKULLS: Commonly believed to be a negative symbol they actually hold a more positive meaning. They symbolize change, death, and mortality. The placement of skulls in art, on crosses and other objects is called Memento Mori, (Latin that essentially translates into "Remember you are mortal and must die"), and they serve as reminders that life is short, a precious gift that we must honor by living to the fullest.

WINGS: Symbolize speed, protection, justice, and spirituality. Historically wings have often been a sign of victory and had to be earned by the wearer.

NUMBERS: Numbers hold significance in a variety of ways, most commonly in the form of something personally significant, e.g. lucky number, birthday, special day or hour, address, anniversary, number of children...  The metaphysical science of numerology contends that individual numbers and combinations thereof hold power and meaning. Things such as a person's birth date and name also have specific numerology attributes.

GARNETS: Strong healing and purifying properties for the body, mind and spirit. It's said to protect wearers from negative energies. Red garnets are emotionally associated with creativity, passion, love, warmth, and permanence. They have a guiding quality and are helpful directing and protecting people on journeys. They were carries by ancient warriors as a talisman to keep them safe. They are physically associated with the cardiovascular system. A garnet lantern was said to provide illumination to Noah on the Ark.

PEARLS: Symbolize the Moon and water elements, balance body rhythms and hormones, signifies pure heart and mind, innocence, faith, and tranquility, fosters motherly love.

MOTHER-OF-PEARL: Protects and brings wealth, ability to calm and lessen anxieties and fears, stimulates intuition, imagination, and adaptability.

JET: Has also been called "black amber", it's originally made from a fossilized tree but jet can also refer to other materials such as vulcanite and horn. It was thought to have powerful protective properties, the ability to absorb negative energies and alleviate grief. It's been used particularly for mourning jewelry. Queen Victoria is credited for the proliferation of such pieces beginning with the death of her husband, Prince Albert, in 1861. Jet pieces found their way into mainstream fashion leading to a need for a more plentiful alternative. Pressed black glass known as French Jet began being made in the late 1800s as a substitute.

STEEL/IRON: Traditionally used in charms for protection against malevolent spirits, e.g. horseshoes. It is said to have the ability to stop, send, or contain energies. Reasons may be due to it's impervious nature, and being a ferrous metal a magnetic field can be created within it.

STERLING SILVER: It's been called the "mirror of the soul" and "the Moon's metal", said to draw the light of the Moon to the wearer. It has a lunar, feminine energy, promotes intuition, spiritual cleansing and healing.

BRASS: Historically used as a shield in both a physical and metaphysical sense, it does not spark when struck, is said to attract money and prosperity.


These are some of the spiritual, metaphysical, supernatural, and other mythological traits traditionally assigned to certain elements that I often use in my works. This is simply a synopsis of information I have found of personal interest and is in no way intended to represent any specific use or historical accuracy.