Hawaiian Jewelry
Hawaiian jewelry bracelets originate in the Victorian Era. Queen Kapiolani and
Princess Lili'uokalani traveled to England for Queen Victorias jubilee in 1887.
They were given precious solid gold bracelets, with their names hand carved in
Old English Lettering, filled with black enamel.
Princess Lili'uokalani highly treasured this gift. Upon her return, Hawaiian
jewelry goldsmiths were asked to learn the art of this style of engravement, and
Hawaiian jewelry bracelets were given as a gift to other members of the Royal
court.
Among the early examples of Hawaiian jewelry bracelets is Queen Emma's silver
bracelet engraved "Aloha ia ka heiheimalie". While the Hawaiian jewelry was
victorian in design,the Hawaiian phrase reflects the ancestorial heritage.
A tradition of Hawaiian jewelry was born. It became an island way to give this
kind of Hawaiian jewelry for weddings, birthdays or at graduation. Today, this
tradition is stronger than ever. Hula dancers wear Hawaiian jewelry bracelets
as part of their costumes for dances originating in the times of the late
monarchy. Local residents obtain them as a special Hawaiian jewelry gift for
their loved ones. Tourists bring them home as a cherished Hawaiian jewelry
memory of their trip to the island.
Hand engraved Hawaiian jewelry is an art form rather than mass production.
Finely hand crafted Hawaiian jewelry takes the same number of operations as in
Queen Liliuokalani's days. The lettering on the Hawaiian jewelry is first drawn
over Chinese white chalk, then lightly engraved. After the hand cutting of the
letters on the Hawaiian jewelry, the enamel is prepared. For authentic Heirloom
Hawaiian jewelry, the enamel is granular (not paint) mixed with liquid, then put
into the carved out letters and heated to more than 1500 degrees. The Hawaiian
jewelry is then sanded, polished and buffed. This process is repeated three
times for highest quality Hawaiian jewelry. Now the real expertise of the
Hawaiian jewelry engraver is required. It takes 10 years to become a master
engraver of Hawaiian jewelry. He etches and polishes the Hawaiian jewelry
causing it to sparkle in light and display genuine patterns. The combination of
heavy gold, fused-in black enamel and hand engraved designs makes this kind of
Hawaiian jewelry timeless elegant.
Another unique Hawaiian jewelry form is the shell lei. Niihau shells are the
pearls of Hawaii, traditionally worn by Hawaiian Queens. Hand-gathered, prepared
and sewn by the people of Niihau, the remote 'Forbidden Island', these leis
remain a unique art form of Heirloom Hawaiian jewelry.
Hawaiian jewelry also includes timeless designs encompassing Tahitian black
pearls. Born in the turquoise waters of Polynesian lagoons, black pearls were
long considered a royal symbol. Perfected by nature, they are enhanced by the
finest craftsman to become unique pieces of Hawaiian jewelry.
Island life and the beauty of nature are displayed in contemporary Hawaiian
jewelry designs. Hawaii's most fragrant and delicate flower, the Plumeria, makes
up its own Hawaiian jewelry line. A beach sandal worn as a pendant, the Hawaiian
jewelry slipper, is the latest Hawaiian jewelry fashion trend.
Click here to go to Hawaii Online Shop to order your
Hawaiian jewelry now.
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