From the tombs of Egypt to the temples of Greece, humans have worn jewelry not only to adorn, but to protect, heal, and empower. Across millennia, amulets and talisman jewelry have been the quiet companions of warriors, queens, scholars, and lovers — objects made to guard the body and fortify the spirit. When I began designing the Esoterica collection for Common Era, I wanted to carry that lineage forward; to create pieces grounded in authentic history that feel like they could have been lifted from a museum case and placed into your palm.
What Is the Difference Between an Amulet and a Talisman?
Though often used interchangeably, the two are not quite the same. An amulet is traditionally an object believed to protect the wearer from harm; it can be a stone, a carving, a symbol — anything imbued with defensive power. A talisman, on the other hand, is designed to bring a specific benefit or energy, such as love, wisdom, or courage. Both work through symbolism, intention, and cultural meaning, and both have been part of human adornment for thousands of years.
Ancient Origins: From Scarabs to Seals
In ancient Egypt, the scarab beetle symbolized rebirth and the eternal cycle of the sun. Carved from stone or cast in gold, scarabs were worn in life and placed with the dead to guide them into the afterlife. These were not mere decorations; they were personal artifacts carrying the weight of belief.
The Power of Words and Symbols
Not all magic was visual; some was linguistic. The Sator Square, a Latin palindrome that reads the same in all directions, was used across the Roman Empire as a protective charm. Its arrangement of letters was thought to confound evil, and examples have been found carved into walls and carried as portable amulets.
Gnostic Wisdom in Jewelry
Gnosticism, a spiritual movement from the early centuries CE, emphasized hidden knowledge as the path to salvation. Its amulets often blended text and imagery: divine names, celestial diagrams, and protective deities intertwined. In creating the Esoterica collection, I turned to these authentic sources, studying museum collections and translated magical papyri, to recreate pieces with the same weight and complexity as their ancient counterparts.
Why We Still Wear Amulets and Talismans
The world may have changed since the days of pharaohs and philosophers, but the human need for symbols remains. Wearing an amulet or talisman is a way to carry something larger than ourselves — whether it’s the memory of an ancient civilization, the comfort of a protective spell, or a personal reminder of resilience. In a way, we’re not so different from those who walked the streets of Alexandria or Rome, tucking a charm beneath their clothing before stepping into the unknown.
The Esoterica Collection: Ancient Magic, Modern Craft
The Esoterica collection was born from my desire to honor these traditions while crafting pieces meant for daily wear. Each design — from the scarab talisman to the Magic Sator Square, from the Ouroboros to Gnostic healing amulets — is made in recycled gold and shaped with the same attention to detail that ancient goldsmiths would have recognized. They are not imitations; they are continuations.
Amulets and talismans are more than ornaments; they are part of humanity’s oldest language. They speak in symbols and stories, carrying messages across centuries. When you wear them, you are not just accessorizing — you are participating in a tradition as old as civilization itself. And perhaps, like those who came before, you will find that the right symbol worn close can steady the heart, sharpen the mind, and guard the soul.
