Each of these jewels has a hidden element that is not apparent when you first look at it. For these are no ordinary pendants but precious amulets – a new jewellery trend intended to protect, inspire and transport.
Gemstones have long been prized for their lucky or protective properties, and this is a theme that Cartier explores in its Amulette de Cartier collection, with the talisman-like properties translated into wishes. Each disc-shaped pendant uses gold to trap a slice of gemstone that promises to unlock a different wish – pink opal to spread joy, onyx for strength of heart and malachite for luck every day, for example. To help you find the right wish for you, Cartier has just launched a fun mini site dedicated to Amulette de Cartier that allows you to spin a wheel that will choose a wish (and pendant) for you.
Temple St Clair, the designer behind the eponymous jewellery brand, has made a name for herself by creating precious amulets for the spiritually aware jet-set. These gold pendants are designed to trap large rounds of rock crystal, which is believed to be one of the most powerful healing stones, to erase past hurts and build self-confidence.
While not restorative in quite the same way as gemstones, the right type of smells can be seriously empowering, and there are some wonderful precious amulets designed around scented cores. Istanbul-based designer Melike has created a collection of feminine scent bottles in 18ct gold, designed to be filled with the fragrance of someone whose smell you love.
Dionea Orcini, meanwhile, has created an orb-like pendant that conceals a silk flower scented with jasmine oil. Diane Kordas, meanwhile, leaves it up to us to choose the scent we conceal within her Amulette perfume bottle pendants – be that our own perfume to top up throughout the day, an uplifting scent to cure low moods, or even the cologne of a lover who we want to keep close no matter how far apart we might be.
