Lapis Star Earrings - Afghanistan/India

Artisan: Aayenda

Handcrafted gold plated stars are adorned with a lovely lapis bead in these subtle yet striking earrings. The Aayenda jewelry line is designed by Afghan students who are trained and mentored in jewelry-making and gem-cutting in India. This first collection was produced in Jaipur.

Afghanistan has a jewelry tradition that goes back more than 2,000 years, most famously exhibited in the Bactrian Gold Collection created around the time of Alexander the Great. It is a rare blend of aesthetic influences (from Persian and Indian to Classical Greek and Roman) and an incredibly high level of craftsmanship. Its jewelry usually features precious and semiprecious stones, including tourmalines, lapis lazuli, rubies, aquamarine and emeralds, which are left mostly uncut to reflect an ancient and rustic Afghan tradition.

Afghanistan
Aayenda
The Aayenda Jewelry brand is a collaboration between three international designers and 36 Afghan jewelry and gem-cutting artisans, trained by Future Brilliance in technical and business skills. Comprising over 130 pieces... Click to read more	photo by Tina Hager