Kerala Vertical openable amulet necklace in 14K or 18K yellow gold, shown closed on a warm bone-white background.

Kerala Vertical Necklace, 14K or 18K Gold

14K Gold
$7,670.00 USD
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Kerala Vertical openable amulet necklace in 14K or 18K yellow gold, shown closed on a warm bone-white background.
  • Kerala Vertical openable amulet necklace in 14K or 18K yellow gold, shown closed on a warm bone-white background.
  • Close-up of the Kerala Vertical openable amulet necklace in 14K or 18K yellow gold, closed, on a warm bone-white background.
  • Kerala Vertical openable amulet necklace in 14K or 18K yellow gold, shown open.
  • The small Kavacha clasp with its branded K tag, in 14K or 18K yellow gold.
  • Kerala Vertical openable amulet in 14K or 18K yellow gold on its chain, with its measurement: 38.5 mm long from the shoulder to the base of the body.
  • Kerala Vertical openable amulet necklace in 14K or 18K yellow gold, worn by a model.
  • Kerala Vertical openable amulet necklace in 14K or 18K yellow gold, shown closed on a warm bone-white background.
  • Close-up of the Kerala Vertical openable amulet necklace in 14K or 18K yellow gold, closed, on a warm bone-white background.
  • Kerala Vertical openable amulet necklace in 14K or 18K yellow gold, shown open.
  • The small Kavacha clasp with its branded K tag, in 14K or 18K yellow gold.
  • Kerala Vertical openable amulet in 14K or 18K yellow gold on its chain, with its measurement: 38.5 mm long from the shoulder to the base of the body.
  • Kerala Vertical openable amulet necklace in 14K or 18K yellow gold, worn by a model.
Kerala Vertical Necklace, 14K or 18K Gold

Kavacha Designs

Kerala Vertical Necklace, 14K or 18K Gold

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

Material
$7,670.00 USD
  • Made to order. Order by November 1 for guaranteed delivery by December 24.
  • The chain in some photos may differ from the one your piece ships on.
Also made inSterling silver $410.00 USDReady to ship within 2 business days

Kerala Vertical stands the Kerala octagon upright. Its form comes from the tawiz belt worn by Muslim women in Kerala in the early twentieth century, believed to bring spiritual safety and blessings. A line of lab-grown diamond baguettes runs its length, and it pairs with the horizontal Kavachas. Inside 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 Vertical openable amulet necklace in 14K or 18K yellow gold, shown open.

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 Kerala octagon, upright

The story

Kerala Vertical is a small octagonal amulet worn upright, drawn from the belt worn by Muslim women in Kerala, India, in the early 20th century. Known as a tawiz, it was worn for protection. Baguette stones run along its length, and it pairs with the horizontal Kavachas.

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 Vertical 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.

Kerala Vertical openable amulet in 14K or 18K yellow gold on its chain, with its measurement: 38.5 mm long from the shoulder to the base of the body.

The piece

Metal
14K yellow gold
Weight
21.46 g, nominal
Stones
Lab-grown diamond
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.

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.
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

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

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