Turn a Decimononic jewel into your totem!

One of the most challenging and alluring aspects of creating any luxury item, such as a fine jewel, is the emotional dimension. There is no need to say that jewelry has always been linked through history with wealth, power and status: it has been profusely used as safe investment, fortune proof and display of belonging to a social order. However, there is one more dimension that has to be considered: the symbolic power of jewelry.

I am going to use an example to make this clear: are you wearing a wedding ring? Maybe not, but it is not necessary to understand its deep symbolic meaning.

I. An example of the symbolic power of jewelry: wedding rings

The physical structure of the wedding ring has varied through different civilizations. However, a ring in its simplest form is a circle, one of the most common and universal signs. It is the symbol of the sun in its limitless or boundless aspect. It has no beginning or end, and no divisions, making it the perfect symbol of completeness, eternity, and the soul.

The origin of the wedding ring dates back to ancient times: it was traditionally given as a betrothal present in Ancient Rome and was connected to the exchange of valuables at the moment of the wedding. It can be considered is a relic of the times when marriage was a contract between families, not individual lovers.

Prior to the tradition of choosing a mate before purchasing a ring, many men in the Middle Ages would do just the opposite. They typically kept a ring tied to their hats, and would give it to their chosen wife-to-be once she was found. These betrothal rings in the Middle Ages were frequently inscribed with love poems and other messages. Also called “posy” rings, they remained popular until the Victorian Era.

Note that even the way wedding rings are weared has a meaning: it is customary to wear it on the left ring finger because the citizens of Ancient Greece believed that the vena amoris, a vein located in that finger, was a direct line to the heart.

In Western cultures a wedding ring represents at present the will to love, treasure and honor one another forever. At the same time, it has become a matter of tradition and etiquette. The object hides a metaphor: symbolizes that your betrothed is precious to you.

II.- Decimononic jewelry as your very own personal totem

‘My pieces are made not just to be exhibited, but to be worn, because it is in the interaction between the wearer and the jewellery object that the latter is awakened to its function and comes alive’.

Jacqueline Ryan

Wedding rings are a good example, but I am sure that you can easily recall others. Indeed I am remembering right now the cufflinks I inherited from my father: their importance for me trascends largely its mere physical value. Or the first Kerala Pendant we sold, that belongs now to a middle-aged lady who has traveled to India eight times. India challenged her vision of the world, it changed her entire life and this pendant has a very special meaning for her. We are very proud and satisfied to know that it is in her caring hands.

As you know, Decimononic is moved by a Vision, pioneering singularity, and it carries a Mission of empowerment. This is, we want to put into value the singularity of the individual. We do believe in the uniqueness of each human being and we want our creations to become reminders for you.

When I saw the movie Inception I could not help but think that it included an element that could be used as a perfect metaphor for this: the totems. These are small objects with a behaviour only predictable by its owner that are used to determine wether a dreamer is in someone else’s dream. For example the totem of the main character, Dominick Cobb, is a spinning top that perpetually spins in the dream state.

We make jewelry for those who know that they are authentic and irreplaceable. We make jewelry for those ready to vindicate themselves and willing to feel unique. Transforming them into pure ‘social objects’, we want our jewels to become ‘awakeners’. We want them to remind you that you are special.

Join us. Be Singular.