Sterling silver Afghani Tribal Emerald amulet necklace, closed, on a warm bone-white background.

Afghani Tribal Emerald Necklace, Sterling Silver

Kavacha Designs

Afghani Tribal Emerald Necklace, Sterling Silver

Opens to hold a written prayer, a lock of hair, or a small amount of ashes.

$410.00 USD

Ready to ship. Ships within 2 business days. Free US shipping takes 3 to 5 business days.
Free returns within 30 days, unused.

Also made in14K or 18K goldFrom $9,080.00 USDMade to order, 4 to 6 weeks

Afghani Tribal Emerald began with an antique amulet from Jayashri's own collection, carrying the adornment of the Koochi women of Afghanistan. Their amulets were worn for health, safety and fertility, and after the arrival of Islam they often held prayers from the Qur'an. This one is a hollow cylinder with a private chamber inside, for a written prayer, a lock of hair or a small amount of ashes. Each piece begins as Jayashri's pen-and-ink drawing and is cast from its own single 3D print: one print, one cast.

Afghani Tribal Emerald amulet necklace in sterling silver, shown open with the chamber visible.

What it holds

Prayer
A written prayer.
Ashes
A small amount of ashes.
Hair
A lock of hair.

A secure twist-lock closure. The precisely fitted male and female parts align and twist together, and a silicone seal makes the fit snug. The end cap is held on the chain by its bail, so even when the amulet is open, the cap stays attached and cannot slip past the clasp.

From an antique Afghan amulet

The story

Afghani Tribal Emerald takes its form from an antique amulet in Jayashri's own collection and the adornments worn by Koochi women in Afghanistan: a hollow cylinder with geometric patterning and set stones. Afghan amulets were traditionally worn for health, safety and fertility, and after the arrival of Islam they often held prayers from the Qur'an.

Afghani Tribal Emerald is built to be handed down because of what it is made from, the ritual and love poured into it, and because it is worn. A Kavacha is not only a beautiful piece of jewelry; it is an altarpiece for your body, your temple.

Where the design comes from

Antique Afghan amulet

Adornment of Koochi women, Afghanistan

An antique amulet from Jayashri's personal collection, reflecting the adornments worn by Koochi women in Afghanistan: a hollow cylinder with geometric patterning and set stones. Afghan amulets were traditionally worn for health, safety and fertility; after the arrival of Islam they often held prayers from the Qur'an.

The amulet is part of Jayashri's personal collection.

How it is made

Jayashri draws each design by hand: a pen-and-ink storyboard, inspired by pieces she has collected for over forty years from all over the world.
A 3D model is built from her drawing, and she reviews it for scale and for fidelity to the drawing before anything is cast.
A single 3D print is made for each piece.
One cast is taken from that one print: the metal is poured, not bent from sheet metal. This is not the traditional method where one mold yields hundreds of pieces: every piece is one print, one cast.
The stones are set, and the piece is finished, polished or antiqued, and hallmarked.

Sterling silver Afghani Tribal Emerald amulet with its length measured: 40.0 mm.

The piece

Metal: Sterling silver (925)
Weight: 23.25 g, nominal
Stones: Cubic zirconia
Chain: Rolo, 3.5 mm, 18 in
Clasp: Medium clasp

What's in the box

Velvet pouch
Authentication card

Reviews

Sterling silver naturally develops a patina and may tarnish over time. This is normal. The darkened details in the recesses are intentional and part of the piece. To restore its shine, gently wipe the exterior with a soft silver polishing cloth, keeping to the raised surfaces. For additional cleaning, use a soft cloth dampened with lukewarm water and a small amount of mild dish soap. Wipe clean and dry thoroughly with a soft cloth. Please do not use silver dips or polishing pastes, which remove the darkened finish.

Everyday oils and lotions can dull the stones. Clean around them with the soapy cloth or an extra-soft brush, using light strokes, and have a jeweler check the settings once a year.

Remove your Kavacha before swimming, bathing, hot tubs or saunas, or using strong chemicals, and put on perfume, lotion and sunscreen first. Water resistance has not been tested, so do not treat the piece as watertight. Keep the chamber and anything inside it completely dry, and twist the cap closed by hand until the silicone seal fits snug. Once ashes or another irreplaceable trace are inside, the piece is not meant to be opened and closed casually or repeatedly, although it can be reopened when necessary. Contact Kavacha Designs | Sacred Armor™ before filling it for guidance. Full care guide: Caring for Your Kavacha.

Shipping policy

Returns and refunds

What will you hold in your Kavacha?

Now and then I write about what people carry, and why.

— Jayashri

Afghani Tribal Emerald Necklace, Sterling Silver

What it holds