The Donkey Bead

   "Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life." ~ Buddha

 I have been asked many times about the bright blue bead I wear, and if I sell them. It is called a Donkey Bead and up until now it was the only one I had.

 I received my donkey bead from a friend many years ago kept it in a drawer, took it out held it, admired the wonderful sea blue color then put it back in the drawer. Recently I took it out and finally made my pendant necklace.

 I have been searching for a long time to find vintage Donkey Beads, so I could add this pendant necklace to the Nostalgic Summer line. I am so happy to say I finally found a few wonderful old Donkey Beads, and will offer this pendent necklace in a limited quantity.

AND.... Because you all know how I love the fun facts and history of an item, here is a bit about the "Donkey Bead":

 

The Donkey Bead is a faience, the world's oldest 'artificial' substance. It is an ancient, non-clay based ceramic of quartz and sand created 5,500 years ago in ancient Egypt. The bright blue glaze symbolizes the Nile, the Waters of Heaven and the Home of the Gods. Faience was often a substitute for turquoise and lapis lazuli.

 

The holy city of Qom, Iran is the only place where traditional faience Donkey Beads are still being made.

From the Modern Catholic Dictionary: (My husband will love that I found this!) :-)

"The donkey bead is a superstitious good luck stone in the East. Translated from "Khar Mohreh" (which means "The Mark of the Donkey"), it was placed around a donkey's neck to drive away evil spirits. Over the years it has served as ornaments in jewelry, for decoration and many other purposes. However, it is still considered to bring the owner "good luck" and "long life," and is now worn also by Christians. The Donkey Bead is made from quartz that is crushed, molded, and glazed with cobalt. The traditional color is blue, with very slight variation. The entire process is done by hand, which accounts for the individuality of each piece."

  The donkey beads I am using for my pendants were purchased from the estate of a spiritualist.

 "So I got that going for me....which is nice" (Bill Murray, Caddy Shack)  :-)

They're all handmade and measure about 23 mm in diameter and 15 mm in thickness. Since they're all handmade, each is not a perfect sphere and each has its own individual characteristics.

My pendant necklaces are hand wired with a brass bead and hang from a 34" brass chain. 

I love my donkey bead, and wanted to share these wonderful beads with you, so if you are interested in owning a Donkey Bead Pendant Necklace of your own contact me at renee@nostalgicsummer.com

I know you will LOVE them as much as I do!

"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude." ~Denis Waitley