FOR THE G ODDESS INSIDE YOU. 2006 Collection Nersel & Irene brings you high quality, handmade, designer gold jewelry. The blueprints of our unique designs are ancient pieces of jewelry that were created thousands of years ago. Our talented craftspeople have spent many years to perfect the art of gold jewelry making in the lands of Istanbul, Byzantium, the Mediterranean and Anatolia. Create your own history with our jewelry indulge the goddess inside
OUR VALUE PROPOSITION: Designer jewelry inspired by history. COMPANY INFORMATION: NERSEL & IRENE brings customers unique, high quality, handmade gold jewelry. The blueprints of our designs are thousands of year s old artifacts, excavated from archeological sites around the Mediterranean. Our designs are inspired by the rich culture and history of Istanbul, Byzantium, the Mediterranean and Anatolia. OUR MISSION: At NERSEL & IRENE our mission is to create and provide you with timeless, high quality, completely handmade gold jewelry that you can wear at any occasion, give to a loved one, or pass on to your children. We aim to transform our rich history, art, and culture into unique pieces of gold jewelry. Our goal is to bring customers tradition with a twist. Our craft is contemporary yet ancient, modern yet traditional, antique yet exciting. OUR COMPANY: NERSEL & IRENE is a private company owned by Nersel zur Muehlen and Irene Sokullu. Our headquarters are located in Hoboken, NJ (the hometown of Frank Sinatra). We work with an excellent design and production team to create top quality gold jewelry. Each of our pieces has a stamp that shows its karat value, where the product was created, and all of our products come with our distinct company logo - the Twin Goddesses. We affirm that all our products are handmade by skilled and experienced craftspeople and that they are made from the highest quality gold. We carry only 18 and 24 karat solid gold products. OUR INSPIRATION: NERSEL & IRENE designs are inspired by the art and lives of people in ancient times and distant lands. These lands are the homes of some of the oldest civilizations in the world: Anatolian, Hittite, Mediterranean, Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Ottoman, Roman and Byzantine. The cultural heritage of these civilizations goes back to 10,000 BC. Archeological findings from these times included glamorous jewelry. Women of Alexandria, Constantinople, Troy and Olympus wore jewelry for the purposes of protection, beautification, and the celebration of rebirth, life and fertility. - 2 -
OUR SIGNATURE TWIN GODDESS BRACELET Material: 24k yellow gold Weight: approx. 13.5 grams Our signature gold bracelet with a twin goddess charm is 100% handmade from 24k solid gold. The twin goddess figures are side-by-side double goddesses from the 3rd millennium BC. The goddesses express the duality of the feminine archetype such as opposite seasons, the alternating rhythm of day and night, the integration of death and life. Twins demonstrate a kinship connection, friendship, solidarity, partnership, affection, and the relationship of lovers. This bracelet is a unique piece of art inspired by ancient jewelry. - 3 -
PELTA BRACELET Material: 18k yellow gold Weight: approx. 20 grams This striking gold bracelet is 100% handmade from 18K solid yellow gold. The surface is brushed and has a beautiful satin look and feel. It is a unique piece of designer jewelry. Pelta is an ancient semicircular shield shape that is commonly featured in Roman mosaics. Modified pelta shapes were used in Roman mosaics to interlock into a tessellating pattern in which contrasting colors were used. This beautiful artisan bracelet is a unique piece of art inspired by Roman mosaic designs and ancient Mediterranean jewelry from the early bronze age. - 4 -
PELTA NECKLACE Material: 18k yellow gold Weight: approx. 50.5 grams Size: 19 inches long This stunning gold necklace is 100% handmade from 18K solid gold. The surface is brushed and has a beautiful satin look and feel. Pelta is an ancient semi-circular shield shape that is commonly featured in Roman mosaics. This beautiful artisan necklace is a unique piece of designer jewelry and perfectly complements our Pelta bracelet that is shown on the opposite page. - 5 -
LAPIS LAZULI MEDITERRANEAN NECKLACE Material: 18k yellow gold, lapis lazuli Weight: approx. 13 grams Size: 17.2 in long This lapis lazuli and gold necklace is completely handmade from 18K solid gold and the finest lapis lazuli. Lapis is a gemstone straight out of the fairy tales of the Arabian nights: The deepest blue with golden shining pyrite inclusions that twinkle like little stars. It was one of the first stones ever to be used for jewelry. Excavations in antique cultural centers all around the Mediterranean provided archeologists with samples for jewelry that was left in tombs to accompany the deceased into the hereafter. Again and again this jewelry consisted of necklaces and objects crafted from lapis lazuli a clear indication that thousands of years ago the people of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Persia, Greece and Rome cherished the deep blue of the lapis lazuli. - 6 -
LAPIS LAZULI GRAPE LEAF NECKLACE Material: Weight: 24k yellow gold, lapis lazuli approx. 67.14 grams This dazzling lapis lazuli and gold necklace is 100% handmade from 24K solid gold. This beautiful artisan necklace is a unique piece of art inspired by ancient jewelry. Ancient jewelry consisted of necklaces and objects crafted from lapis lazuli a clear indication that thousands of years ago the people of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Persia, Greece and Rome cherished the deep blue of lapis lazuli. This necklace is held together with a gold grape leaf. Grapes and grape leaves were subjects of poems to the lover. Grape leaves used to symbolize good health and prosperity. - 7 -
YELLOW POMEGRANATE PENDANT Material: 18k yellow gold (fruit), 18k white gold (leaf) Weight: approx. 6.5 grams Size: 1.4 inches (pendant), 19 inches (necklace) This unique gold pomegranate pendant is 100% handmade from 18k solid gold. This beautiful artisan necklace is inspired by ancient Turkish and Persian jewelry. The pomegranate fruit has long been cultivated as an ornament and as an edible fruit. The fruit has long been a religious and artistic symbol. In the old testament Solomon sang of an orchard of pomegranates. Because of its role in the Greek legend of Persephone, the pomegranate came to symbolize fertility, prosperity, and eternity. In Christian art it is a symbol of hope. - 8 -
PINK POMEGRANATE PENDANT Material: Weight: Size: 18k pink (rose) gold (fruit), 18k white gold (leaf) approx. 6.5 grams 1.4 inches (pendant), 19 inches (necklace) - 9 -
LONG TWINKLE EARRINGS Material: 18k yellow gold Weight: approx. 10.5 grams Size: 5.5 inches (14 cm) These long dangling earrings are 100% handmade from 18k solid yellow gold. The earrings are inspired by ancient jewelry from the Mediterranean from around the 3rd millennium BC. The original earrings are on display at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Istanbul, Turkey. The earrings are 5.5 inches long yet they are not heavy and are easy to wear. They have a gorgeous shine and twinkle. These long earrings are very trendy and fashionable. - 10 -
TURQUOISE OCEAN PENDANT Material: Weight: 24k yellow gold, turquoise approx. 28 grams (turquoise approx. 14 grams) This beautiful handmade 24K gold Turquoise necklace hangs from a black leather cord. This unique necklace is inspired by ancient jewelry. The turquoise stone has all the shades of a deep blue ocean. For thousands of years this gemstone has been appreciated as a holy stone, a good-luck-charm or a talisman. The oldest proof for this lies in Egypt, where in tombs from the period around 3000 B.C. artifacts with turquoise were found. In the ancient Persian kingdom the sky-blue gemstones were originally worn around the neck or on the hand as protection against evil spirits. - 11 -
HITTITE PRINCESS PENDANT Material: Weight: 24k yellow gold approx. 27 grams This chic handmade 24K gold pendant has a braided swirl in the middle and beautiful colorful beads. It is inspired by an ancient broche worn by a Hittite princess. The Hittite kingdom lasted from roughly 1680 BC to about 1180 BC. The Hittites were called Children of Heth in the Old Testament. They are considered to be the first civilization to have discovered how to work iron and thus the jewelry artifacts found in this era are from the Iron Age. This Hittite Princess Pendant has an elegant matching gold chain. - 12 -
FIG TREE PENDANT Material: 24k yellow gold Weight: approx. 23 grams This pendant is a handmade 24k solid gold fig tree with a solid gold chain necklace. The Greeks saw the fig tree as sacred to Dionysus, whose popular worship encouraged an emphasis upon fertility. On a mystical level the fig tree indicates the embrace of absolute unity, the intimate experiencing of the heart that beats in nature, a tree of knowledge whose fruit yields eternal life. This vital force quickens the seed and helps it to germinate, making the branches bend downward like the sacred Ashwatha tree. Fig trees are usually associated with cosmic sacrifice and eternal life. - 13 -
YELLOW TWIN GODDESS CHARM PENDANT Material: Weight: Height: 18k yellow gold 2 grams 0.8 inches This pendant with our signature twin goddess charm is completely handmade from 18k solid yellow gold. The charms hang on a brown leather cord, other colors are available upon request. The twin goddess figures are side-by-side double goddesses from the 3rd millennium BC. The goddesses express the duality of the feminine archetype such as opposite seasons, the alternating rhythm of day and night, the integration of death and life. The twins demonstrate a kinship connection, friendship, solidarity, partnership, affection, and the relationship of lovers. - 14 -
WHITE TWIN GODDESS CHARM PENDANT Material: Weight: Height: 18k white gold 2 grams 0.8 inches This pendant with our signature twin goddess charm is completely handmade from 18k solid white gold. The charms hang on a brown leather cord, other colors are available upon request. The twin goddess figures are side-by-side double goddesses from the 3rd millennium BC. The goddesses express the duality of the feminine archetype such as opposite seasons, the alternating rhythm of day and night, the integration of death and life. The twins demonstrate a kinship connection, friendship, solidarity, partnership, affection, and the relationship of lovers. - 15 -
PINK TWIN GODDESS CHARM PENDANT Material: Weight: Height: 18k pink (rose) gold 2 grams 0.8 inches - 16 -
SEA GREEN BRACELET Material: 24k yellow gold, turquoise Weight: approx. 12 grams Size: 7 inches long (18cm) This simple yet elegant handmade 24k gold bracelet with tiny turquoise beads looks great for any occasion. The bracelet has a beautiful color combination of rich 24k gold and sea green turquoise beads. Its design is based on ancient Turkish jewelry. - 17 -
TURQUOISE GRAPEVINE NECKLACE Material: 24k yellow gold, turquoise Weight: approx. 53 grams This striking handmade 24K gold necklace with turquoise beads is inspired by ancient Turkish jewelry. The necklace ends can have gold leaves or gold balls which were used in ancient jewelry to indicate tears. In ancient Mediterranean cultures turquoise was believed to provide soothing energy and used to symbolize hope and freedom. In Native American tribes it was worn to help one develop natural powers. The turquoise beads are connected by grapevine branches. - 18 -
TURQUOISE POMEGRANATE NECKLACE Material: 24k yellow gold, turquoise Weight: approx. 42 grams The design of this beautiful handmade 24K gold necklace with turquoise beads is based on ancient Turkish jewelry. The necklace ends have little gold pomegranates. Pomegranates symbolize eternity and fertility. The pomegranate was named by the Phoenicians, who were active in spreading its cultivation, partly for religious reasons. Jewish tradition teaches that the pomegranate is a symbol for righteousness, because it is said to have 613 seeds which correspond with the 613 mitzvot or commandments of the Torah. The pomegranate has been cultivated around the Mediterranean region for several millennia. The turquoise beads were used to symbolize hope and freedom. - 19 -
ANCIENT COIN NECKLACE Material: 24k yellow gold, sapphire The design of this handmade 24k ancient coin necklace with sapphire beads dates back to approximately 450 BC. Gold was believed to bring honor and wealth, stabilize emotions, purify the body, and enhance mental capacity. The first golden coins in history were coined by Lydian king Croesus, around 560 BC. Gold was used in ancient Greece only in temples, graves and jewels and there were no ancient Greek golden coins until the days around 390 BC, when the Greek king Philip II of Macedon minted golden coins. In ancient Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cultures gold coins were worn to symbolize status and wealth. The coin necklaces were found in tombs of kings and queens to symbolize the sun and glory. - 20 -
ANTIQUE FIRE NECKLACE Material: 24k yellow gold, carnelian stones Antique handmade 24K necklace with carnelian stones in the color of fire. Carnelian stones are believed to protect against anger and fear. In the Indian culture carnelian stones are believed to open up the hearth chakra, allowing a connection with one s inner self. They are also believed to produce precision and inspiration and to provide stabilizing energy in one s home. Carnelian is believed to encourage love between family members. Jewelry with carnelian beads were used in the Indus Valley Civilization, an ancient civilization thriving along the lower Indus River around 3300 BC-1700 BC. In the ancient Mediterranean cultures carnelian stones were used to increase physical energy. - 21 -
FEMALE FIGURINE PENDANTS Material: 18k yellow gold These two pendants feature a female figurine and a mother and children motif in solid 18k yellow gold. These unique pendants celebrate the feminine figure and fertility. They are inspired by pendants from the 2100 BC era excavated in Asia Minor. The female figurine is depicted to wear beaded jewelry and earrings. The Mother figurine is shown with two children and symbolizes motherly love, protection and affection. Both pendants are expertly handcrafted from solid gold. - 22 -
THE SAMA SUN PENDANTS Material: 18k yellow gold The pendants on this page feature the Aegean sun and the Mediterranean sun in 18k solid yellow gold. These two pendants were inspired by pendants found in tombs of princes in Anatolia. They are believed to be from 3000 BC. The pendants symbolize the power and warmth of the sun. Ancient civilizations and some tribes have worshipped the sun and solar deities for all of recorded history. The Sun deity Sama or Shamash, was the name of the sun-god in Babylonia and Assyria. The pendants are made from 18k yellow gold and the surfaces are hand hammered. - 23 -
MITRA TOURMALINE EARRINGS Material: 24k yellow gold, tourmaline, diamonds Weight: approx. 10 grams Gemstones: approx. 0.75 ct diamonds, approx 8.75 ct tourmaline Size: 1.2 in x 0.6 in (3cm x 1.5 cm) Beautiful handmade earrings in 24k yellow gold with multi color tourmaline stones and a halo of diamonds. Tourmaline is a color miracle, they are popular as jewelry stones but also as healing stones. Mitra was an important Persian and Indian deity as the god of honesty and friendship. Purple tourmalines have attributes of creativity, love and devotion. - 24 -
SIDE TOURMALINE EARRINGS Material: Weight: Gemstones: Size: 24k yellow gold, tourmaline, diamonds approx. 7.5 grams approx. 0.15 ct diamonds, approx 17.5 ct tourmaline 1.4 in x 0.6 in (3.5 cm x 1.5 cm) Tourmaline is a color miracle and tourmaline stones are popular both as jewelry stones and as healing stones. Due to their good energetic conductivity and their wealth of mineral elements they are believed to have reconstructive effects. Their attributes are inspiration, understanding and confidence. They are believed to balance male/female energies. Purple tourmalines have attributes of creativity, love and devotion. These earrings take their name from the ancient Mediterranean city of Side. - 25 -
NESA TOURMALINE EARRINGS Material: Weight: Gemstones: Size: 24k yellow gold, diamonds, tourmaline approx. 9 grams approx. 0.15 ct diamonds, approx 15.75 ct tourmaline 2 in x 0.6 in (5 cm x 1.5 cm) This beautiful pair of handmade 24k yellow gold earrings with multicolor tourmaline stones and a single diamond is named after the Turkish city of Nesa. Tourmaline is unique color miracle, and the exemplars in these earrings display beautiful purple and green shades. Crystals displaying just one color are quite rare, usually a crystal shows various shades and colors. Tourmalines are popular as jewelry stones but also as healing stones. Due to their good energetic conductivity and their wealth of mineral elements they are supposed to have recreational and reconstructive effects. - 26 -
SAMAL TOURMALINE EARRINGS Material: Weight: Gemstones: Size: 24k yellow gold, diamonds, tourmaline approx. 6.5 grams approx. 0.25 ct diamonds, approx 6.5 ct tourmaline 1 in x 0.4 in (2.5 cm x 1.0 cm) An exquisite pair of handmade 24k yellow gold earrings featuring multicolor triangular tourmaline stones and a cluster of three diamonds. Tourmaline is a virtually unique color miracle with purple and green shades. Crystals displaying just one color are quite rare, usually one and the same crystal shows various shades and colors. Tourmalines are popular as jewelry stones but also as healing stones. Due to their good energetic conductivity and their wealth of mineral elements they are supposed to have recreational and constructive effects. The earrings take their name from the ancient Hittite city of Samal in Asia Minor. - 27 -
MILAS TOURMALINE EARRINGS Material: Weight: Gemstones: Size: 24k yellow gold, tourmaline, diamonds approx. 10 grams approx. 0.17 ct diamonds, approx 9.5 ct tourmaline 2.16 in x 0.4 in (5.5 cm x 1 cm) This beautiful set of handmade 24k gold earrings featuring four multicolor tourmaline stones and a sin- - 28 -
TROY TOURMALINE PENDANT Material: 24k yellow gold, tourmaline, diamonds Weight: approx. 27 grams Gemstones: approx. 0.5 ct diamonds approx. 38 ct tourmaline Size: 16.5 inches length (42 cm) A gorgeous handmade necklace in 24k solid gold with seven multicolor tourmaline stones and eight diamonds on a black leather cord. Tourmaline is a virtually unique color miracle. Crystals displaying just one color are quite rare, usually a crystal shows various shades and colors. Tourmalines are popular as jewelry stones but also as healing stones. Due to their good energetic conductivity and their wealth of mineral elements they are supposed to have recreational and reconstructive effects. - 29 -
EPHESUS TOURMALINE NECKLACE Material: 24k yellow gold, tourmaline, diamonds Weight: approx. 26 grams Gemstones: approx. 0.5 ct diamonds, approx 48 ct tourmaline Size: 17 inches (43 cm) Five multicolor tourmaline stones and six diamonds adorn this handmade 24K gold necklace on a black leather cord. Tourmaline stones are popular as jewelry stones but also as healing stones. Due to their good energy conductivity and their wealth of mineral elements they are supposed to have recreational and reconstructive effects. They are intensely colored purple, yellow-green, olive-green and brownishgreen stones. This necklace takes its name from the great ancient Greek city of Ephesus. - 30 -
AMORION TOURMALINE PENDANT Material: 24k yellow gold, tourmaline, diamonds Weight: approx. 12.5 grams Gemstones: approx. 0.13 ct diamonds approx 23.5 ct tourmaline Size: 17.7 inches (45 cm) This elegant handmade 24k gold pendant with four tourmaline stones and a single diamond rests on silk organza tri-color ribbons. The color of the ribbons match beautifully with the color of the gold and the green and purple shades of the tourmalines. This piece is inspired by ancient jewelry yet it is very stylish and modern. The necklace takes its name from Amorion, an ancient city in the Phrygia Kingdom which existed between 1200 BC and 700BC. - 31 -
CARIA GLAMOUR PENDANT Material: 24k yellow gold, tourmaline, diamonds, glass beads Weight: approx. 22 grams Gemstones: approx. 2.8 ct diamonds, approx 85.5 ct tourmaline Size: 5.11 x 1.5 inches (13 x 4 cm) This absolutely stunning pendant shows two gorgeous pieces of tourmaline framed in 24k gold, diamond halos, and blue, green and purple beads. The design of this carefully handcrafted piece of art was inspired by ancient jewelry of the Middle East. It takes its name from the region of Caria (Greek Καρία) of Asia Minor. - 32 -
EMERALD GRAPE LEAF NECKLACE Material: 24k yellow gold, emerald Weight: 68 grams This dazzling emerald and gold necklace is handmade from 24k solid gold and sparkling emeralds. Emeralds have the most beautiful, intense and radiant green that can be imagined. The name emerald comes from the Old French esmeralde. Incas and Aztecs regarded the emerald as a holy gemstone. The oldest known finds were made near the Red Sea in Egypt and in the tombs of the pharaohs from 3000 BC. Emerald mines were referred to as Cleopatra s Mines. This stunning necklace is held together with a grape leaf locket. Emeralds are believed to bring well being and good luck. - 33 -
GREEN TOURMALINE FLOWER PENDANT Material: 24k yellow gold, tourmaline, diamonds Weight: approx. 27 grams Gemstones: approx. 0.5 ct diamonds, approx 39 ct tourmaline Size: 17 inches (43 cm) and 2.75 x 1.5 in (6 x 4 cm) A stunning handmade multicolor tourmaline pendant in 24k yellow gold framed with diamonds. This unique piece comes with a matching green silk ribbon. Green tourmalines have fine leek-green, intensely colored yellow-green, olive-green, and brownish green shades. Especially the color range from blue-green to the darkest bottle-green is covered spectacularly by wonderful tourmalines. These colors represent the natural Turkish tourmaline best. The olive-green is rare and highly coveted. - 34 -
PURPLE TOURMALINE FLOWER PENDANT Material: 24k yellow gold, tourmaline, diamonds Weight: approx. 21.5 grams Gemstones: approx. 1 ct diamonds, approx 35 ct tourmaline Size: 17 inches (43 cm) and 2.75 x 1.5 in (6 x 4 cm) A dazzling handmade purple tourmaline pendant framed in 24k yellow gold with diamonds. This beautiful piece comes with a matching purple silk ribbon. Tourmaline is a virtually unique color miracle with purple and green shades. Crystals displaying just one color are quite rare, usually a crystal shows a variety of shades and colors. Tourmalines are popular as jewelry stones but also as healing stones. Due to their good energetic conductivity and their wealth of mineral elements they are supposed to have recreational and reconstructive effects. - 35 -
HAND HAMMERED ANTIQUE RINGS Material: Weight: Size: 18k yellow gold approx. 3.2 grams (each) 3 mm (0.1 inches) thickness These antique wedding bands have been designed after Anatolian artifacts that date back 2000 years. The surface of the ring is hammered by hand to give them an antique excavated look. Two or three of these rings can be worn together. They would also make unique wedding bands or would be worn as eternity rings, which symbolizes the renewal or ongoing nature of a lasting marriage. These rings can be made in yellow, white, or rose gold. - 36 -
TURQUOISE SULTAN RING Material: 24k yellow gold, diamonds, sapphire, turquoise, silver Weight: approx. 8.8 grams 24k gold, approx 7.75 grams silver Gemstones: approx. 0.42 ct diamonds, approx 0.54 ct sapphire, approx. 9.75 ct turquoise Size: 17 inches (43 cm) and 2.75 x 1.5 in (6 x 4 cm) A unique handmade ring in 24k solid gold with a precious turquoise stone and diamond inlays. The design of this artisan piece was inspired by rings worn by the Ottoman Sultans. - 37 -
All weights and sizes given in this catalog are approximate, since each of our pieces is handmade and can vary slightly due to the creation process and the selection of gemstones. If you have any special requests such as engravings, material substitutions or design alterations please contact us for an individual quote at nersel@nerselandirene.com or using the contact information above. All of the information in this catalog is accurate as of March 2006. Design changes and availability of individual items may change without notice, please contact us or visit www.nerselandirene.com for a look at our most current collection.