Stoked about Surfing

By
Peter Stone Word Wizard
Published: March 17, 2010
Stoked about Surfing

While for some, surfing is a mere recreational activity, for others it is an art form, a cultural way of life, and a nearly religious experience. Surfing has waxed and waned in popularity since its inception in the 1700’s, but there’s no doubting its present status as one of the coolest and most “radical” sports on the planet.

This fascinating facet of ocean culture has an amazing history and a wealth of fun facts, and Peter Stone wants to share all that we’ve learned—as well as some super cool surf jewelry in sterling silver for the surfer in your life!

Surfing is Born

Surfing originated in ancient Polynesian culture, where it enjoyed an importance in daily life that hasn’t been seen since, even in the most surf-oriented communities today. Leadership of the tribe was determined by surfing skill, and the chief always had the best board, made from the best tree available. Beaches were segregated based on tribal status, and prestige and status were conferred directly by wave-riding skill.

What is now known as Hawaii was immersed in surf culture when Capt. James Cook first made European contact with the islands. Two pages of his journal are devoted to the explanation of this native “diversion,” marking the first written record of the sport. For early Hawaiians, surfing, or “he’enalu” (wave-sliding), was culture, art, and religion. Priests offered surfing prayers before the sea was broached and crafting a board was a deeply spiritual ceremony.

Seen as a pillar of native culture, surfing was discouraged and forbidden by the missionaries, mainly German and Scottish, who arrived in Hawaii in 1821. By the 20th century, only a handful of native Hawaiians continued to surf and craft boards. The ancient art was diminished, but far from defeated.

Surf Revival

Surfing made the leap over the Pacific to the west coast of the United States in 1907, when Railroad mogul Henry Huntington invited George Freeth to surf the coast as a publicity stunt to promote the Huntington Beach Pier. This, coupled with the exploits of Duke Kahanamoku, “Ambassador of Aloha,” Olympic medalist, and avid waterman, helped to re-establish the sport in Hawaii, America, and elsewhere. Australia, a modern day hot-spot for surfing, owes its introduction to the sport to Duke Kahanamoku, and commemorates his contribution by displaying his board at the Freshwater Surf Life-Saving Club in Sydney.

Surf Culture

With the promotion of the film, Gidget, and the introduction of surf music by The Beach Boys, surfing was elevated from the “underground” into a national fad. Today, surfing is a multi-million dollar industry that has invaded waterways across the globe, spawning surf shops, surf resorts, surf contests, surf camps, and surf forecasting with the use of ever-progressing technology. Surf locations like Mavericks on the California coast, Waimea Bay in Hawaii, and the Gold Coast of Australia, among thousands of others, attract millions of surfers every year. Interestingly, the surfing culture has influenced land sports as well: innovative surfers facing a day without waves invented the art of sidewalk surfing—known today as skateboarding.  

Surfers have developed their own culture centered around riding the waves. Becoming a surfer is a long process, requiring hard work and many hours of practice and effort. Dedication and perfectionism abound within surf communities, despite the common description of “slacker,” or “beach bum.” Many surfers see the sport as an extension of their spirituality. In Huntington Beach, a non-denominational church holds services on the beach, followed by a morning session on the waves by the minister and his congregation. Nat Young, famed Australian surfer, even tried to register surfing as a religion, although the request was never granted.

Surfing, as an unofficial religion, is based on harmony, belonging, and connection with the natural world… which really isn’t all that different from other nature-based religions. Who among us can deny that this powerful message is worth practicing, regardless of how we choose to practice? Peter Stone believes in sharing your inspiration wherever you find it, and if your altar resembles a carved koa longboard… we salute you, and offer our support with a collection of beautifully-rendered surf jewelry to delight you, inspire you… and keep you stoked!

Order within 7 days of this post (3/17 to 3/24) and get 15% off  all surf jewelry with coupon code: SURFBLOG15

 

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What Do Bunnies and Eggs and Jesus Have in Common?

By
Peter Stone Word Wizard
Published: March 15, 2010
What Do Bunnies and Eggs and Jesus Have in Common?

No, there’s no punch line… just an interesting story that weaves them all together to create a festival of rebirth that we call Easter. Peter Stone celebrates the spring season with a tribute to this deeply spiritual holiday with a beautiful array of sterling silver crosses—and pays tribute to the fun traditions of Easter with this exploration of their origin and meaning.

The Cross

Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Three days after the crucifixion (Good Friday), mourners went to his tomb to collect his body and found that it was not there. They were greeted by an angel who announced his return from death, “He is Risen.” The cross, being the traditional symbol of the crucifixion, is tied intimately to the origin of Easter, and bears mute testament to the Christian beliefs that surround this spring holiday.

Interestingly, hot cross buns (a cake or biscuit that are traditionally eaten during Eastertide in some areas) also derive their name from the cross of the crucifixion, and share the symbology of the traditional Christian cross.

Embellished eggs

Eggs are less obviously related to the origin of Easter, yet tied inextricably to the traditional celebrations that mark the holiday. In ancient pagan times, the egg was a symbol of the rebirth of the earth that occurs in spring. The first embellished eggs originated in Eastern Europe. Called “pysanka,” (origin: “to write”) they were elaborately decorated with beeswax to celebrate the renewal of the season. The art spread across the continent and evolved, and celebrants eventually used paint or dye to color the eggs in the bright colors of spring. With the advent of Christianity, the symbolism of the egg was subtly altered to reflect the rebirth of man, rather than the rebirth of nature. The egg was likened to the tomb from which Christ rose. Early Christians chose red as the primary color of their eggs to represent the Resurrection.

What’s in a name?

As with so many of our modern holidays, Easter was superimposed on a previous pagan holiday, the celebration of the spring equinox. The conversion of the masses to Christianity required that some compromises be made, and by combining holidays and adapting traditions, the Christian missionaries were able to appease the pagan population. The Easter egg is an example of that compromise, but so is the very name of the holiday: Easter.

The Pagan celebration of the spring equinox was held in honor of the Mother Goddess Eostre (origin: “Eastre” for “Spring”). Superimposing the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ on this already-established festival was ideal for the Christian missionaries, and adopting the name Easter for the newly merged holiday was simplicity itself. 

The Easter Bunny

Another correlation between the ancient pagan holiday and the modern day celebration is the prominence of rabbits in the festival. The Goddess Eostre was legendarily attended by animal companions— hares, of course. Yet, the legend of Eostre is just that… legend. Only one written account of her existence can be found, and that has been questioned by scholars and scientists. The true significance of the inclusion of hares in the Easter celebration is their connection with spring and fecundity and rebirth… all of which were key concepts of the early pagan holiday. Looking even further into the past, rabbits were symbols of life and renewal in ancient Egyptian culture. It can be argued that the “Easter Bunny” existed long before there was such a thing as “Easter.”

Celebrate!

Whether you enjoy the ancient art of “egg-writing” or uphold the fiction of the Easter Bunny and his candy-filled baskets for your little ones, it’s important to remember the holy story of resurrection that Easter commemorates. With the uplifting cross collections at Peter Stone, you can show off your spiritual side this spring… and honor the bunny, the eggs, and Jesus all at once.

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All the Starry Universe, Part 2: Big Saucepans and Eye Tests

By
Peter Stone Word Wizard
Published: March 12, 2010
All the Starry Universe, Part 2: Big Saucepans and Eye Tests

Peter Stone knows how important the celestial bodies are: the sun, moon, and stars loom large in our imaginations, our hearts, and in our jewelry. If you feel the influence of the stars and moon, too, you won’t want to miss our beautiful sterling silver sun, moon, and stars jewelry… or the continuation of our quest to understand the stars…

Orion & Co.

From the beginning of time, observers noted the groupings of stars in the sky and sought to classify them. The ancient Babylonians were perhaps the first to name these groupings, although the first written descriptions of them didn’t occur until after the Greeks appropriated the Babylonian concepts and published  Phaenomena, by the Greek poet Aratus, in about 270 B.C.

Through a convoluted history of passed-along knowledge and translation, those same constellations are still recognized today, albeit by different names. There are a total of 88 official constellations, according to the International Astronomical Union, and the most well-known of them, including the twelve that make up the “Zodiac” of modern astrology, are all part of the original constellations identified some 3,000 years ago.

The Big Saucepan?

The IAU may have officially named the constellations, but that doesn’t mean that everyone agrees. The Big Dipper, for instance, is one of the most recognized constellations in the sky. In truth, it is not a constellation in and of itself, but is part of Ursa Major, or “The Great Bear,” one of the historical Greek patterns we still recognize today. In other cultures, however, the confluence of stars that we know so well has been interpreted in countless different ways.

In Britain, it is called The Plough. In Southern France, The Saucepan. Some Native Americans claim it is a stretcher on which to carry the sick, while other Native American tribes see the bowl as a Bear, and the stars in the handle as hunters stalking the bear. To the Egyptians in ancient times, it was the thigh of a Bull. The Chinese saw a Chariot, and Hindu legend calls it the Wise Men. The ancient Mayans gazed upward and saw a mythological parrot they named Seven Macaw.  Because constellations are merely a structure of our human imagination, stretched wide on a framework of stars, the possibilities are endless.

The Riddle

The constellations have served multiple purposes for humanity throughout history. They served (and still do!) as guides to desert travelers and sailors. They signaled the cycle of sowing and harvesting. They inspire legends, stories and poetry, becoming religious and spiritual icons, prodding culture and civilization into growth and expansion. They prompt us to ask of ourselves, “Who are we, why are we, where are we within this endless cosmos?” They taunt us to forge ahead technologically, so that we can someday explore their realm.

Credited with these amazing feats, it may seem odd to think of them serving in such a mundane capacity as… an eye test?

It’s true, though. The center star in the “handle” of the Big Dipper is actually twin stars (One bright and one faint), so closely bound that they appear as a single star… unless you have perfect eyesight. The Persians of the 13th century routinely used this star as a test of eyesight, and a century later, the faint star was referenced in an Arabic text as “Al Sadak,” meaning the test, or the riddle.

The Fascination Continues

Shakespeare, Astrology, NASA, Star Wars … The lure of the stars has infused every part of our lives and culture, and with excellent reason. No GPS system has ever been so beautiful. No calendar, more inspiring. No canvas has ever been more accepting of our paint. And no possibility has ever been quite so inviting.

And with the Peter Stone sterling silver Sun, Moon, and Stars jewelry, no Star has ever been quite so… yours

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All the Starry Universe, Part 1: Timing is everything

By
Peter Stone Word Wizard
Published: March 10, 2010
All the Starry Universe, Part 1: Timing is everything

The influence of stars on our history and culture is so powerful that there isn’t a society on earth that doesn’t honor them in some way. From prehistoric standing stones to modern observatories, the study of the stars has continued through the millennia. Setting science aside, the more primitive aspect of our collective soul yearns towards the stars for deeper, more spiritual reasons.

The glittering starscape above presents us with meaning and pattern, possibilities, and an unshakable sense of our own connection with the universe in which we live. We know how important the celestial bodies are: sun, moon, and stars loom large in our imaginations, our hearts, and in our jewelry here at Peter Stone Co.

If you feel the influence of the stars and moon, too, you won’t want to miss our beautiful sterling silver sun, moon, and stars jewelry… and you might be surprised at some of the facts we dug up in our quest to understand the stars.

Immutable Time

In the dawn of human culture, the heavens represented the best available measurement of time. After years of careful observation, these earliest astronomers (in fact, shepherds and farmers, for the most part) began to grasp the patterns inherent in celestial movement. Some changes were seasonal, some were annual.

The ancient Egyptians noticed that the rising of the brightest star, Sirius, was linked to the annual flooding of the Nile River—this was, in fact, the first culture to recognize and use the 365-day year. Other cultures, such as the Persians, used the cycles of the moon to measure time, as did later Native and Aboriginal cultures across the globe. Centuries later, in the Middle Neolithic Era of 2950 BCE, Stonehenge was built on the Salisbury Plain in England by the Druids (pre-Celtic peoples of the area). Though modern scientists have only scant theories about the purpose of the complex arrangement, it is undeniably clear that the construction was carefully directed to align with astronomical patterns.

The massive pillars of Stonehenge are so meticulously arranged that the first rays of the summer solstice sun rise just above the “heel stone” and illuminate the precise center of the horseshoe shaped complex. Standing stones, stone circles, star wheels, and pyramids (built by widely different cultures all over the globe) were all constructed to map the movement of the stars, or to align with them for religious purposes. Even the mysterious Nazca lines in Peru demonstrate an uncanny correspondence with astronomical positions and paths.

Super Calendar

The Mayans of the Yucatan Peninsula were particularly attuned to astronomy, peppering their cities with observatories and alignments that astound modern archaeologists. By keeping meticulous documents and passing their knowledge down through the generations, the Mayans amassed what was very likely the most comprehensive body of astronomical knowledge of the time period. By 800 A.D., they had developed a calendar of astonishing accuracy, predicting eclipses and other planetary movements with an error margin of only one day every 6,000 years. The focus on this calendar has recently intensified, as it becomes widespread knowledge that the Mayans, with this remarkable system of timing, predicted the end of the world on December 21, 2012.

I guess we can only wait and see how accurate they were. Come back for more! We found so many interesting facts about the stars that we couldn’t fit it all in, so come back to Peter Stone Connections later in the week for our second installment, All the Starry Universe, Part 2: Big Saucepans and Eye Tests

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The Magic of the Dolphins

By
Peter Stone Word Wizard
Published: March 9, 2010
The Magic of the Dolphins

Our most popular marine companions by far, dolphins can credit their popularity to their extremely high intelligence, natural playfulness, and unabashed friendliness. Dolphins have fascinated and delighted human spectators since the earliest human memory. Charmed by their grace and elegance, captivated by their free-spirited frolicking, anyone who’s ever sighted a dolphin has felt their magic.


Peter Stone captures that magic in a collection of fantastic sterling silver dolphin jewelry, designed to reflect the elegant beauty as well as the undeniable freedom of these astonishing sea mammals. We celebrate the age old fascination, and explore the depth and breadth of the universal love story between dolphins and humans.


Good Samaritans

Dolphins are naturally social creatures, living in pods of roughly a dozen dolphins. Under certain circumstances, dolphin pods can merge, forming superpods that can consist of 1,000 or more dolphins at once. This natural tendency towards grouping leads to strong social bonds and protective behavior. Dolphins will often remain nearby if a fellow dolphin is ill or injured, helping the individual to breathe by guiding it to the surface if necessary.


This Good Samaritan behavior is not limited by species. In one case, a New Zealand dolphin was observed guiding a pygmy sperm whale (and her calf) out of dangerously shallow water that had stranded them several times. The most fascinating examples are those of dolphins who rescue human swimmers from sharks by swimming in protective circles or charging the sharks.


Tell me about it

Dolphins are also highly communicative, using whistles, clicks, and burst-pulse sounds to “talk” over long distances. Some species even have individualized “signature” whistles that identify themselves to other dolphins. While the whistles and sounds are used dolphin-to-dolphin, the clicks generally indicate the use of echolocation for navigation. Curious dolphins will click faster and faster to signal excitement as they approach an object of interest, and these clicks are considered to be among the loudest of all sounds produced by marine animals.


Come out and play

Dolphins are well-known for their leaping behavior, occasionally putting on awe-inspiring acrobatic displays that delight onlookers. Within their own communities, play is a vital part of dolphin life. They frequently play with seaweed and play-fight with other dolphins. They have been known to playfully harass seabirds and turtles, and other local sea life. At times, dolphins seem to regard boats as merely large playmates, surfing bow waves, circling boats, and interacting playfully with swimmers.


The Moral of the Story

If there is anything we can learn from the behavior of the dolphins, it is concern for our fellow creatures. While dolphins remain universally admired and adored, the truth is that they face grave danger from the actions of humans. The pollution of our waterways threatens not only their environment, but also their health. Collisions with boats are common. Fishing nets can ensnare dolphins, as happens frequently with purse seine fishing for tuna, and the dolphins themselves are at risk of being “fished” in some parts of the world, where they are considered food. Dolphins can also be harmed by loud underwater noises resulting from human action, such as naval sonar use, heavy construction, and off-shore windfarms.

Admittedly, there is sometimes a fine line between progress and destruction. If we concede that the dolphins’ extreme intelligence lends them a “conscience” and a duty to help the helpless (even helpless humans!)… shouldn’t our own intelligence confer the same duty upon us, to protect helpless dolphins in return?


Share the magic

If you’re as fascinated by the dolphins as we are—and boy, are we!—you’ll find inspiration and magic in our beautiful sterling silver dolphin jewelry, created by Peter Stone’s finest artists to capture the elegant lines and playful spirit of these amazingly intelligent, compassionate, and whimsical marine creatures. Let the love story continue!

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Bright Light Shines

By
Peter Stone Word Wizard
Published: March 8, 2010
Bright Light Shines

Always….even when we choose not to see it… it shines.

All is ALWAYS well, if we allow it to be. Some refer to this concept as the silver lining, but it is rooted in truth. The focus of our thoughts will grow: if we focus on positivity and progress, those things will expand to encompass our sphere. If we focus on less ideal outcomes, then we choose to live in a lack of Light along with everything we conceive… and we will be unable to see the brightness that is shining on us, around us, no matter how brightly it shines.

Make a Choice

We choose the pathway that we would like to travel—are traveling—today, tomorrow, and every day.

I choose to walk above the less than useful or less than positive moments and make good use of them as would be intended.

If we choose to lose faith in the Universe’s Law of Abundance… if we forget the possibility inherent in every single moment—we will be fundamentally unable to appreciate and experience the glowing wonder of our everyday life. The inspiring people, the beautiful places, the moments of exaltation that this plane offers will slip past our peripheral vision, as we focus with intensity and clarity on the inaccurate impressions of “lightlessness” that consume so many of us.

Instead, we must practice preventative maintenance; focusing on the positive, honing our mindset to accept beauty and light, purging our vocabulary (and thus our consciousness) of anything less than idyllic.  Like an automobile, we NEED this preventative maintenance to keep our systems running smoothly and dependably… even when confronted with potholes. A vehicle that has not been maintained will inevitably leave us faced with reactionary repairs. In the case of our spirituality, we will be stuck in the pothole, and massive effort will be required to lift us out.

Entropy is defined as the natural tendency of all things to travel towards Dis-Orangization in the absence of an opposing, organizing force. It operates on both micro and macro levels, and we are all living in this Energy.  Our only choice is to create that opposing force within ourselves. Only focused positive thinking can oppose entropy. Only carefully chosen words and thoughts can buoy us. Only by looking for the light will we be able to perceive the light—and—Live in the Light.

Break the Rules

Looking for miracles is branded foolish in these modern, educated, secular times. Yet miracles do appear every day to those of us who take the time to see them. How could you ever expect to find something if you don’t make an effort to look for it? The light is there, the miracles are all around us, the world is alive with splendor and energy. Simply open your eyes to it, and it will appear… Because it already is.

In practice, this means choosing our words carefully—choosing our FUTURE carefully. If we create the idea of the life we want, we can then sculpt our words and actions to lead us into that life. It really is that simple.

Choose the words you want to live; empower yourself (and inspire the world) to see the light.

It WILL shine.

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The Tale of St. Patrick

By
Peter Stone Word Wizard
Published: March 5, 2010
The Tale of St. Patrick

On March 17, millions of people worldwide will gather to celebrate St. Patrick, the most well-known of the patron saints of Ireland. Parades and parties will mark the celebration, and the brilliant shade of green that screams Ireland (the “Emerald Isle”) will permeate the day, in beer and rivers, on streets and flags, on clothing and hats and confetti.

As a powerhouse in the Celtic jewelry market, Peter Stone celebrates St. Paddy’s Day with relish, with breathtakingly beautiful and festive sterling silver jewelry to honor Irish culture, Celtic tradition, and the emblem of the day, the Shamrock. Today, Peter Stone is exploring some of the most fascinating history and information surrounding this juggernaut holiday.

Once upon a time

St. Patrick (c. 387 – 493, approximately), patron saint of Ireland, was actually of Scottish descent. In his youth, he was captured and brought to Ireland as a slave. According to one of the two remaining letters actually written by St. Patrick, his faith strengthened as his captivity lengthened—and he returned home after six years by heeding a spiritual voice that directed his escape. Not long after his homecoming, St. Patrick returned to Ireland voluntarily, heeding another call to minister to the Irish.

His time in Ireland was far from the happy, shamrock-picking vacation that our modern St. Patrick’s Day celebrations suggest. As a foreigner and a missionary, St. Patrick had a daunting task, no official status, and little protection. His evangelical message was sincere, but his audience was not always receptive. He writes that on at least one occasion, he was beaten, robbed, and thrown into chains to await possible execution.

Celtic knotwork Cross with Gem Silver Pendant

Despite this, the legacy of St. Patrick in Ireland is one of unwavering faith and staunch support. In legend, he is credited with banishing all the snakes from the land and using the three-leafed clover to teach the trinity theory of Christianity. Though no written evidence of the Shamrock lesson has been found, and though experts believe that there were no snakes in Ireland during St. Patrick’s time, the legends live on, illuminating a faithful missionary and shining historical figure.

Happily Ever After

Today, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in his honor with lavish celebrations of vibrancy and excitement. The influence of the Irish is felt all over the world, as countless countries share in the festivity. No matter what continent you’re on, you’ll no doubt find a St. Paddy’s Day party, parade, or event somewhere—and if you happen to be in Chicago, you can witness the annual dyeing of the Chicago River to kick off the day—the only event of its kind, using 40 lbs of vegetable dye, and paid for by the Plumbers Union, Local 130.

Wherever you are, and however you celebrate, Peter Stone joins you in honoring the Irish and their saint, with stunning commemorative Irish and Celtic jewelry—and a hearty and heartfelt, “Erin Go Bragh!”

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Sly Serpent: Celtic Symbology

By
admin
Published: March 4, 2010
Sly Serpent: Celtic Symbology


As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, we know you’re looking for fantastic silver jewelry to honor your heritage and celebrate this Irish holiday—and we want to help! In addition to providing a beautiful array of Celtic and Irish sterling silver jewelry, Peter Stone thought you’d like to know a little bit about the designs and why they’re so important. There’s no denying that the Celtic Snake has been important in Celtic mythology for eons, appearing time and again in ancient carvings and sacred jewelry, but why?

Behavioral Science

The ancient Celts, precursor to the modern Irish population, were carefully attuned to nature. Their understanding of the natural world around them, and the animals of their environment, was based on observed behavior patterns and life cycles. It’s no surprise then, that the snake (or serpent) came to be recognized as a cunning animal, secretive and sly.
Rebirth and renewal have always been key in the Celtic mythology, and the snake’s practice of shedding its skin places it squarely in the category of animals who have mastered the art of transformation. Honored by the ancient Celts for the periodic “casting off” of one life and the ascension into a new, sleeker form, the snake gained widespread fame as a mystic and magical creature.

The Celts incorporated magical and shamanistic rituals in daily life, and the sight of a snake on a shamanistic journey was highly significant. It was a sign to the journeyman to cast off something in order to prepare for something greater and better.

Warcraft

Serpents were also associated with the embodiment of masculine power. Celtic warriors incorporated the two-headed snake design in the form of an arm torque to partake of this power during battle. The adder was particularly powerful, as it was the only venomous snake in the area, and amulets were made to represent the eggs of the adder, as an additional talisman of power.

Spiritual Significance

The relation between animal and environment was also symbolic. Snakes were seen as guardians of the rivers and seas, and this guardianship morphed and grew in the spiritual Celtic world: Snakes eventually were believed to guard the connection between earth and heaven.
The last aspect of the snake that became symbolically significant to the Celts was the cyclic nature of the serpent. Coiled and poised, the snake represented the cycles of earth, the coiled energy within, and the cyclic progression of birth, death, and rebirth that so informs Celtic art and imagery.

Honor the Serpent

Peter Stone honors the Celtic snake’s place in history and legend, and has created a beautiful and deeply spiritual collection of Celtic snake jewelry in striking sterling silver to help you celebrate this ancient symbol of transformation and guardianship.

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Think you know what a Shamrock is?

By
Peter Stone Word Wizard
Published: March 1, 2010
Think you know what a Shamrock is?

Think again…

Although thousands of people wear the Shamrock to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, and thousands more honor it all year long as a symbol of Irish heritage, the truth is that the Shamrock is a rather mysterious historical symbol, surrounded by myths and plagued with an age-old case of mistaken identity. Peter Stone has transformed the Irish Shamrock into a stunning collection of sterling silver jewelry to help you honor your Irish ties, and today, we try to sort out the facts from the fallacies and try to find out…

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Fantastic Fleur-De-Lis!

By
Blog Editor
Published: February 23, 2010
Fantastic Fleur-De-Lis!

The Fleur-de-Lis that we’ve all seen so recently on the helmets of the New Orleans’ Saints, Superbowl XLIV Champions, is actually an ancient French symbol of royalty, carried through the ages from 493 A.D.

Whether you’re a Saints fan, a New Orleans-ophile, or just a savvy aesthetic consumer, the Fleur-de-Lis is a beautiful, historical, and meaningful jewelry choice. Peter Stone celebrates the beauty and grace of the Fleur-de-Lis, translating the stylized figure into a collection of shining sterling silver pendants, rings, and earrings. In addition to creating fantastic jewelry, Peter Stone explores a fragment of the history behind this royal symbol. Vive La France! The Fleur-de-Lis (or Fleur-De-Lys) is a stylized lily that has been particularly associated with the French monarchy throughout history. It is an enduring symbol of the French culture, appearing on coats of arms, flags and postage stamps.

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