Yndia Jewelry by Tin-tin and Arnel

Ligaya's shell and xiangjiang jade necklace

Xiangjiang Jade and shells are primarily what this 3-tier necklace is made of. Ivy (Beadsnob) modeled this necklace for me last week in her Bead Styling post last week. Arnel Ramiscal and Christine Sioco (Tin-tin) who I met at the KASIBULAN Christmas party early December inspired this necklace. I saw a work that they did with white stones and it was really beautiful. It reminds me of wedding jewelries.

The artist couple (who, by the way, are engaged to be married. Congratulations!) also creates beautiful beadworks that you can check out at their multiply site arnel & tin-tin called Yndia Jewelry. Their bead works are elaborate combinations of different types of stones.

Arnel's necklace made of Moss Agate, Jade, Green Turquoise, Flourite & Cat's eye

Yndia Jewelry's name is derived from the name of a Yndia a babaylan (shaman) from the 1st century colonial period. The jewelry designs are incorporated with the “Batek” or “Traditional Tattoos” of the indigenous northern part of Luzon in the Philippines. These represented or became symbols of nobility, courage and beauty for them and are especially used during rituals and cremonies.

Arnel's Amethyst necklace

Greatly inspired by indigenous jewelry traditions and with a conscious intention to revive indigenous art, Arnel and Tin-tin took their beadwork into a more contemporary aesthetic by incorporating different types of stones and playing with textures and colors. Although, their work may not necessarily be in rituals (alone) Arnel says that Yndia jewelry is really good to wear while meditating because of the calming effects of the stones they use.