Kerala Large openable amulet necklace in 14K or 18K yellow gold, shown closed.

Kerala Large Necklace, 14K or 18K Gold

14K Gold
$12,380.00 USD
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Kerala Large openable amulet necklace in 14K or 18K yellow gold, shown closed.

Kavacha Designs

Kerala Large Necklace, 14K or 18K Gold

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

Material
$12,380.00 USD
  • Made to order. Each piece takes 4 to 6 weeks to make. Free US shipping takes 3 to 5 business days.
  • The chain in some photos may differ from the one your piece ships on.

Kerala Large takes its form from the tawiz belt of Kerala, in South India, believed to offer divine protection. The tawiz took many forms, pendants, carvings and framed prayers; this is the largest of the Kerala designs. Inside the octagon is a private chamber for a written prayer, a lock of hair or a small amount of ashes. Each design begins as Jayashri's pen-and-ink drawing before it is modeled and cast.

Kerala Large openable amulet necklace in 14K or 18K yellow gold, 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.

After the Tawiz belt of Kerala

The story

Kerala Large is an octagonal prayer amulet drawn from the traditional Tawiz belt of Kerala, worn as a sign of divine protection. The tawiz took many forms, from pendants and carvings to framed prayers; this is the large octagon of the Kerala designs.

I start with a storyboard, a pen-and-ink drawing of my own design, inspired by pieces I have collected for over forty years from all over the world.

Jayashri Triolo, maker

Kerala Large 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

Tawiz belt of Kerala

The tawiz belt worn by Muslim women in Kerala, South India, in the early 20th century, believed to offer divine protection. The tawiz took many forms: pendants, engraved metal pieces, carvings and framed prayers.

Kerala Large amulet in 14K or 18K yellow gold with its body length marked: 44.0 mm.

The piece

Metal
14K yellow gold
Weight
38.56 g, nominal
Stones
None
Chain
Diamond-cut cable, 2.3 mm, 16 + 2 + 2 in
Clasp
Small clasp

What's in the box

  • Velvet pouch
  • Authentication card
  • Branded luxury box

Reviews

Care

14K and 18K yellow gold can collect natural oils, lotions and residue from everyday wear. Gently clean the exterior with a soft cloth dampened with lukewarm water and a small amount of mild dish soap, then wipe with clean water and dry thoroughly. A soft jewelry polishing cloth can be used to restore its luster.

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.

Questions
Shipping and returns

14K and 18K gold pieces are made to order and are non-refundable and non-returnable.

Shipping policy

Returns and refunds

What will you hold in your Kavacha?

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

— Jayashri

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