Sterling silver Kerala Small amulet necklace, closed, on a warm bone-white background, chain exiting the top of frame.

Kerala Small Necklace, Sterling Silver

Sterling Silver
$320.00 USD
Skip to product information
Sterling silver Kerala Small amulet necklace, closed, on a warm bone-white background, chain exiting the top of frame.
  • Sterling silver Kerala Small amulet necklace, closed, on a warm bone-white background, chain exiting the top of frame.
  • Close-up of the closed sterling silver Kerala Small amulet necklace, front, on a warm bone-white background.
  • Kerala Small amulet necklace in sterling silver, shown open with the chamber visible.
  • Sterling silver Kerala Small amulet beside a close view of the lobster clasp and oval K tag on its chain.
  • Sterling silver Kerala Small amulet with its length measured: 37.5 mm.
  • Sterling silver Kerala Small amulet necklace, worn.
  • Sterling silver Kerala Small amulet necklace, worn, second view.
  • Sterling silver Kerala Small amulet necklace, closed, on a warm bone-white background, chain exiting the top of frame.
  • Close-up of the closed sterling silver Kerala Small amulet necklace, front, on a warm bone-white background.
  • Kerala Small amulet necklace in sterling silver, shown open with the chamber visible.
  • Sterling silver Kerala Small amulet beside a close view of the lobster clasp and oval K tag on its chain.
  • Sterling silver Kerala Small amulet with its length measured: 37.5 mm.
  • Sterling silver Kerala Small amulet necklace, worn.
  • Sterling silver Kerala Small amulet necklace, worn, second view.
Kerala Small Necklace, Sterling Silver

Kavacha Designs

Kerala Small Necklace, Sterling SilverKerala Small Necklace

Opens to hold a prayer, hair or ashes.Sterling silver (925) · 18 in · 14.95 g

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

MaterialSterling Silver
$320.00 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 $7,100.00 USDMade to order, 4 to 6 weeks

Kerala Small comes from the tawiz belt worn by Muslim women in Kerala, South India, in the early twentieth century. The tawiz took many forms, pendants, engraved metal and framed prayers, each worn for protection. This one was made to hold a small amount of a loved one's ashes and carry them wherever you go; it can also keep a written prayer or a lock of hair. Each design begins as Jayashri's pen-and-ink drawing before it is modeled and cast.
Kerala Small 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.

After the Tawiz belt of Kerala

The story

Kerala Small is drawn from the early 20th-century Tawiz belt worn by Muslim women in Kerala, South India. The tawiz took many forms, pendants, engraved metal pieces and framed prayers, each worn for protection. This one is made to hold a small amount of a loved one's ashes, carried wherever you go.

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 Small 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

Tawiz belt, Kerala, South India, early 20th century

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.

Sterling silver Kerala Small amulet with its length measured: 37.5 mm.

The piece

Metal
Sterling silver (925)
Weight
14.95 g, nominal
Stones
None
Chain
Rolo, 2.5 mm, 18 in
Clasp
Medium clasp

What's in the box

  • Velvet pouch
  • Authentication card

Reviews

Care

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.

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

Shipping policy

Returns and refunds

What will you hold in your Kavacha?

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

— Jayashri

An occasional email from Jayashri at Kavacha. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy policy

You may also like