These hook-style earrings are made of simple, yet beautiful, Peruvian turquoise. They are perfect for everyday use, but are elegant enough to transition to fancier occasions.
These stunning
earrings boast a delicate sterling silver strand concluding with
an immaculate turquoise bead. Turquoise is a symbol of generosity,
sincerity and affection. Forebearers of the Aztecs, Toltecs and Olmecs
honed their skills to work this beautiful rock, which they revered.
Their talents and ingenuity are evident in the craftsmanship and beauty
of the artifacts that have been recovered from ancient tombs. Turquoise
was also held in very high esteem by the Apache of North America.
The earrings are
produced by Allpa, an alternative trading organization started in 1985
to provide marketing assistance to 2,000 families from 100 artisan
groups in different parts of Peru.
Allpa also provides short-term and mid-term loans to artists to enable
them to improve their infrastructure and workshops. Allpa works with
families located all over Peru,
including in the Amazon rain forest area of Pucalepa. For most of these
people, craft production is their only source of income. Fair Trade.
