Ever imagined that a piece of jewellery could mend a broken heart? Not figuratively, but literally. Jewellery buff Archana Avinash promises a ‘bracelet solution’ for any kind of problem. “It’s called healing jewellery,” she starts off simply. “There are several semi-precious stones that have variant properties to help you out – no matter what the situation,” she explains. Rose quartz is for love, black onyx is for protection, the combination of rose quartz and moonstone for fertility issues and so on. But a city-based Archana who started her own label ‘Strings N Beads,’ three years ago while in Qatar at the time, says she never quite invested so much of her energy into trinkets, until she had some problems of her own and a friend recommended it.
“I used to do brand management for some big firms like Mont Blanc and Cartier...so I had access to Swarovski crystal at the time,” the certified Angel therapy practitioner continues. And that is how it all began. While the reason for her own conviction in the healing power of jewellery remains private, she does share the story of a former colleague, who for a long time, had been trying for a child. “I think it had been a year or so with no results, so without much expectation I offered her a fertility bracelet,” Archana recalls. “Four months later she was pregnant,” she adds, her excitement still evident.
You have to wonder though, what is the difference between healing jewellery and any specific semi-precious stone attributed to the same quality. The 28-year-old responds without hesitation: “The difference is to get maximum utility from a gem, it needs to be cleansed first and then energised.” Apparently cleansing entails soaking the stones in a bucket of water with rock salt overnight to rid it of impurities that go beyond tangible silt. “Like painful thoughts associated with it,” Archana cites an example. “And once the bracelet has been made, I usually energise it myself – with good thoughts and vibes or simply put it out in the sun.” For those who aren’t familiar with these practices, the sun is considered the best natural source of energy available.
And what is Archana’s response to the non-believer? “I’ve had quite a few,” she states unabashedly, and adds: “But most people who don’t believe it still go ahead and buy my creations for their aesthetic appeal, so I’m happy either way!”
(Archana’s new festive collection, Shakti was launched earlier this month. For more details, check out her Facebook page, Strings N Beads or contact 9003500849.)