The Tuareg of the Sahara are referred to in the Bible as the original “Canaanites.” They are descendents from an ancient race of people known as Berbers. Jewelry from the Sahara has been characterized by traditional protective symbolism. The fine etchings and associated beliefs are a collusion of Islam, West African animism and Christian ideologies. The tiny detailed insignia generally translates into words and phrases, empowered by God, which will protect the wearer. The metal itself, silver, is purported to be pure and to possess protective qualities. According to Tuareg belief silver is “the metal of the Prophet.” The finely detailed and professionally crafted pendant design of our offering is unique to the Tuareg people and the creation of a well respected master jeweler from Niger. A beautiful hand cut slab of thick African turquoise with fine mosaic lines of crackling is bordered by a finely detailed silver encasement. The etchings are perfectly drawn and placed. Two 14 sided cubes each decorated with tiny motifs are joined in a dumbbell like fashion to form a silver bar across the top that holds the hinge system that allows the pendant to swing in place. The pendant is situated upon a hand hammer silver choker. This is a solid, weighty selection, one of the finest to come our way. Please note that the turquoise is uniformally blue throughout. The flash from my camera created the distorted white coloration. A true representation of the color is featured in the last photo posted below. ~Kim Please click photo for enlargement! See other photos below. Please scroll down to Order. When OFFLINE click button to leave a message! Dimensions: The entire pendant measures 2 1/2 inches long x 1 1/2 inches wide 1/4 of an inch thick. Item 52MA$245.00 SidePlease click photo for enlargement! FrontPlease click photo for enlargement! SidePlease click photo for enlargement! Tribal African Jewlery lYou are in our Tribal African Jewelry II section. Please click here to enter our Tribal African Jewelry I section. The WarehousePlease click here for new arrivals.