Jade Teal Barrel Bead Necklace | Door County Jewelry by Wendy Carpenter

Exclusive handmade gifts in Door County are soulful pieces perfect for every occasion. The authentic jadeite gemstones are hand-cut and polished from jadeite roughs or slabs in the Motagua River Valley of Guatemala. To the Pre-Columbian people of Mesoamerica, jadeite represented breath, life, fertility, and power. The hand-cutting and polishing stonework is created through Wendy Carpenter's fair trade/skill-building mission project. Her "Creating Revenue through the Arts" project helps the artisans of Guatemala and the Mayan communities. The featured necklace is handmade by Wendy Carpenter with (38) barrel hand-cut, polished olive jadeite beads, and one round center accent bead.  The jadeite necklace measures 18" long with a sterling silver clasp . Article by "Fred C. Brendecke" about the unknown value of Guatemalan Jadeite:  Guatemala's hotbed of tectonic activity has resulted in the formation of many varieties of jadeite. Nephrite does not exist in Guatemala, so in its place, the tou