Spending the day after Christmas with my parents in Jim Thorpe, PA, we came across The Emporium of Curious Goods. A frequent haunt during time spent at my Nana’s as a teenager, the shop shrouded in mystery and magic never failed in delivering “curiousities” – crystals, wicca spell books, incense and mystic potions.
Since then, it’s taken a turn towards touristy tchotchke, but I still managed to find a few gems in the “Egyptian section” of the store. Having an almost subconscious affinity for Egyptian aesthetics (particularly triangles and pyramids), I was drawn to their jewelry case showcasing pieces handmade in Egypt from “mummy beads” or “SHA” in ancient Egypt. The glazed quartzite was once used to beautify the shrouds covering the outer linen of the mummies and is now used in creating replica jewelry worn by the likes of Cleopatra. In the Egyptians’ typical holistic fashion, jewelry was valued not only for beauty but also for the magical and spiritual protection it provided for its wearer.
If you take a look at the runway and current trends in design, you will see their influence is heading into a resurgence. There may not be much relevance for walking like an Egyptian (thank you anyway, Bangles) but there’s a lot to be said or sung for wearing it like an Egyptian.
Top: Triangle Collective Earrings $19 from Hallelu
Middle: Gold choker with earrings $35 from A Second Time Around
Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra
Bottom: Vanessa Jenik Oxidized Silver Snake Bracelet w/ White Diamond eyes $328 + 14k Gold Snake Hoops with White and Chocolate Diamond Eyes $1,392 from Beanie + Cecil
