Meaningful Jewelry

They say diamonds are a girl's best friend and itheaven, and then activate a flow of goodness
is true when we are talking about monetizing andback down to the world, symbolized by the
investments. Indeed the return on a good quality,triangle pointing down."
clear diamond will be the best one whenThe best explanation yet was this one: "The Star
considering investing in a small object that travelsof David is composed of two overlapping triangles
well and sells quickly. As for myself, I like toor six smaller triangles emerging from a central
invest in things that have high sentimental valuehexagram. Like the Jewish people, the star has 12
and their return is sketchy yet grand. What dosides, representing the 12 tribes of Israel."
you mean, you ask? Well, when you put your soulAmazing.
into something, or invest your time and soul intoThe Bird or Dove of Peace pendant was given to
someone, you'll almost always get a much greaterme by my girlfriends, as we were all for world
return, but you never know when it will happen,peace (remember Noah, the dove and the olive
what form or shape it will take, and howbranch?), as well as the Pomegranate pin. Now
surprising it might be. I LOVE happy surprises,Jewish tradition teaches that the pomegranate is
don't you?a symbol for righteousness, because it is said to
This is the reason I like to buy and invest inhave 613 seeds (= 613 good deeds or Mitzvahs)
special, artfully designed, meaningful jewelry. Somebut it is also a symbol of fruitfulness, so go figure
items in my jewelry box might have been highlywhat exactly they meant giving me that pin...
priced when I bought them or was given them.I never got the Mezuza pendant; I guess it is a
Their current value in gold, silver or stones will notnewer trend. Some consider it a good-luck charm;
stand to save my life, yet their emotional value issome see it as a constant reminder of G-d's
extremely high. Want an example? Here's one:presence and G-d's mitzvoth.
there's nothing like your first love saving all hisRemember pregnancy Jewelry gifts? There you
money to get you the Roman stone earrings youare, all vulnerable, hormonal, your tummy
liked, right?stretches to eternity (and beyond), feeling like an
Then there are the first jewelry pieces you gotemotional volcano. At this point in your life you
for your Bar Mitzva or Sweet Sixteen, all rich withmust obtain special jewelry, one that gives you
lifelong meanings, like the Chai pendant, meaningthe strength and support you need. Enter Kabala
'life' in Hebrew, reflecting Judaism's focus on theverses enriched jewelry. These little treasures
importance of life. You might even remember thehave a deep meaning because they are
toast your dad gave for you on that special day,integrated with sentences from the Kabala,
cheering: l'chayim (to life) at the end. Or maybeblessings from the Jewish prayers for success,
the charity you arranged for at that event,fertility, safe income, health, protection against the
yielding multiples of $18 (the numeric value of theevil eye (see Chamsa) and guarding the person
word Chai) to the women's shelter.who wears it.
Another pendant I got growing up was the StarDoes it work, you ask? I really can't tell, but I am
of David. I got it with a note from my aunt whocertain of the emotional security it provides the
was a teacher, therefore never missed anpeople who wear it. These Kabala Jewlery solve
opportunity to teach, and so it had a little notethe issues of a person's lack of confidence, lack
added to the box, in it the various meanings ofof belief in one's abilities, or lack of knowledge
the Star of David, or Magen David, as it is called inregarding the future. Of course, the one who
Hebrew. I knew that King David used this starwears the jewelry has to believe in it for the
symbol on his shield, hence the Hebrew name, butAmulet to succeed.
what I didn't know was that the Star of DavidOne more thing you should know about these
"interlocks two triangles forming a strongkinds of Jewelry - they can be written on any
hexagonal structure. Some believe that thematerial because the letters are the active
six-pointed star receives form and substanceelement which creates their power. However,
from its solid center. This inner core representspure and non-perishable materials like gold, silver,
the spiritual dimension, surrounded by the sixleather and copper all hold energy that supports
universal directions. Others perceive it tothe writing.
represent the sacred union of opposite energiesLater on in life, as we moved, changed jobs, got
or Yin Yang. The Chabadniks think the six pointspromoted, had kids and overall aged, the need for
of the Star of David symbolize God's rule overChamsas evolved. It's not that we became
the universe in all six directions. They further saysuperstitious all of the sudden, it's just that we
that originally, the Hebrew name Magen David --gained the sense of Oh-My-G-d It's- Going -To
literally "Shield of David" -- poetically referred to-End-Soon feeling that comes with age. Some call
God. It acknowledges that King David did not winit wisdom but you and I know the truth and the
by his own might, but by the support of thetruth is, well, we're getting old.
Almighty.By now I have at least two Hamsa pendants,
In Kabala, the two triangles represent thejust to keep me on the good side when a bad
dichotomies inherent in man: good vs. evil, spiritualday comes along and a wall full of Chamsa plucks
vs. physical, etc. The triangle pointing "up"to save the house and its dwellers from all sorts
symbolizes our good deeds which go up toof bad luck, evil eye and other mischief.