The story of these "Tuareg Cross" style earrings from North Africa is magical. Supposedly, there were 21 places around the Sahara Desert the Tuareg tribes were based, and each had its own "cross" shape. These "crosses" immediately identified the wearer for their origin, but they also had a specific use. Desert sands are always moving with the wind, and the dunes are always shifting, so there are no landmarks to navigate by. The story goes that the Tuaregs would align whatever "cross" they were wearing with the stars, navigating through the desert at night.
These traditional earrings are hand made with metal and colored glass.
Each piece arrives to you carefully wrapped with handmade notes about its origin, passing on a personal connection and adding a uniqueness to the shopping (or gifting) experience.
This jewelry comes from the Berbers of North Africa. The Berber people are traditionally desert nomads who have lived in North Africa since pre-historic times. Women dominate many Berber communities and women in the Tuareg tribe ran their desert camps. Also known as “the blue people”, the Tuaregs wear indigo dyed robes, turbans, and veils that stain their skin blue. Berber jewelry is known for its heavy, beaten silver, colorful stones, and symbolism. Each piece has a purpose.