Peruvian Silver Jewellery

Amber

2012-02-09T18:47:00.000-08:00

Amber ring by renowned Peruvian Artisan Maricarmen Morales available in store now!

Buy this ring

Nine50 store Click Here.

AMBER

Amber is fossilized tree resin precious to many cultures for thousands of years. In the King James Version of the bible amber is mentioned three times by Ezekiel (Ezek 1:4, 27; 8:2). Amber is commonly a dark golden colour. Amazingly it can also be found in greens and blues. The value of amber is generally determined by the types of “inclusions” found inside it. Flowers, plants, insects and even small animals can be found preserved inside amber.

The most valuable amber has a rich, intense color of either a reddish hue or a rare green or blue. The clarity is perfect (no internal inclusions), EXCEPT in the case of an entrapped small animal (such as a mosquito). In that case, the amber should be clear except for the insect and the insect should be easily visible in the center of the stone. The best amber is always natural (not pressed or treated), very well cut and of a substantial size. The clarity of amber also affects its value. It is not, as with most gems, “the clearer, the better.”

Colour is also an important factor in determining the value of a piece of amber. Intense reddish amber, and the rarer shades of blue and green are the most valuable.

Peru Fashion

2012-01-24T20:51:00.000-08:00

When asked to name the key fashion capitals of the world, most people will cite New York, Paris, Milan and London as the top players. A few may even throw in up-and-coming locations like Tokyo and Brazil, but what many people don't realize is, while the top talent may come from these countries, designers often find their inspiration from lesser known locations. Drawing on local customs, fabrics, and colors from an exotic locale can help provide the creative direction for an entire season. Looking to these cultures around the world can be an ideal place for new ideas and inspiration on fabrics, colors, shapes, and the combination of textiles.

Peru has long served as a muse for designers. In the past few years the country has proved that is has a strong voice, with design representatives heading to Paris to showcase their blend of past and present creations. Steeped in a weaving culture reaching back to the days of the Incas, the original Peruvians combined their local customs with the garments of their Spanish conquerors. The dress of the Quechua people today still resembles this merge of cultures, bringing the colors and patterns of the early Incas together with the classic Spanish colonial peasant dress.

These traditions were passed down using the Andean custom of verbal instruction, rather than documenting their methods.

Today, the tradition of weaving still survives in Peru. The practice is time consuming and costly, especially in the small indigenous towns of the Andes, where the poverty level is high. Just the weaving alone can range from three weeks to a few months. Before the weaving can even begin however, the thread has to be prepared. The wool for each garment is sheared from the local sheep, llamas, and alpacas, and is then cleaned and spun into a fine thread. To create the iconic Peruvian colors, each spool of thread is dyed using natural ingredients from local plants and minerals. Once these initial steps have been taken to create the perfect consistency and color, the women can then begin to weave the garments.

Quechua clothing has a very distinct look, in terms of color, patterns, and style. There are a few iconic articles of clothing that continue to be worn by locals today. Polleras, or the full skirts that each woman wears is a classic example. These skirts are layered over one another to create a similar effect as a petticoat. On any given day, local Quechua women may be wearing three or four Polleras, and on special occasions, up to fifteen. Another typical style is the Montera, or hat. Like dialects of the same language, each Quechua community has developed their unique styles and customs, and these hats are no exception. You may find some villagers wearing structured, basket style headpieces, attached around the chin with a wide band, but you will also see hats with a circular cushion and a short cloth veil resting just above the eyebrows.

The cloth and weaving traditions of the Incas have remained intact through the years, despite outside influences and deep poverty. While each village continues to add their own personal flavor, the core traditions of the Quechua people are still the a vibrant thread in Peru's fashion scene.

Article By Leora Novick (Traveler, writer and ex-fashionista)
http://anamericangirlintransit.com

Photo By Lee-Ann Kelly (Sacred Valley, Peru 2010)

Learning to Listen

2012-01-20T16:00:00.001-08:00

It never ceases to amaze me how God works in my life.

Nine50 has been a God built business since 2007 and I have faithfully walked through the open doors put before me. This April will see my 3rd trip to Peru (this time taking my 16 year old daughter Brittany).

My husband and I have had sponsor children through Compassion since our first time to Peru in 2008. Each trip to Peru we visit the project they attend in Lima and we are all greatly blessed by the experience. We have always sponsored children at the same project as it is “easier” to visit one project rather than many. Lima can be a difficult place to travel through and around due to heavy traffic not to mention there are many dangerous places. It has been far more comfortable to visit the same area as you become familiar knowing what to expect and where you are going.

My last visit to Peru was 2010 and my mother travelled with me. We went to two projects. The one where our kids attend and as my mum was travelling with me we also attended the project where her sponsor child attends. This trip coming up we are also attending two projects. One where our kids attend and another where Brittany (my daughters) new sponsor child attends.

I have limited time on the trip as I am leaving behind a 1 year old baby and also have alot of business/buying to do on the trip, but thats ok I can fit it in!

God obviously has other plans.

As Compassion advocates for the past 3 years each few months we receive new children who need to be sponsored. I love reading about the kids on the sponsorship cards we get and praying for them to find great sponsors. One thing I ALWAYS do is look at the birth dates. It would be pretty cool to sponsor a child that shares your birthday! In 4 years we have never come across a child with any familiar family birthday.

I had phoned Compassion two weeks ago asking if they had any children needing sponsorship at Project 150 where our other kids attend. It has been in my heart to sponsor two more children and as we are visitng in a few months now would be a good time to do it as I could visit them. I hadn’t heard back from Compassion but in the mean time in the post we received our new kids that we are to find sponsors for. One from Indonesia, one from Burkina Fasa and two from Peru. I did the same as I always do and I read about each child and check out there birth dates.

The little girl from Peru shares her birthday with my 23 year old son Shayne and the little boy from Peru shares his birthday with my mum! Seriously this has NEVER happened before let alone a double! We were on our way out to a Barbeque so I didn’t get a chance to see where they lived.

I was sharing the story at the barbeque when it dawned on me that perhaps God was letting me know that I am not to limit my trips to one or two projects while in Peru. It makes perfect sense as every child at the project benefits from a sponsor visit. Whether it is from there own sponsor or not it makes the whole process very real for them.

On our first visit to Project 150 Lima in 2008 we were told that we were the first sponsors to visit in 2.5 years. For many kids it was the first time they had seen a sponsor. Big Welcome signs are always in place and many children attend to sing songs and share about themselves and their lives and to proudly display their work and Project.

So here I am this morning after checking the locations on the Compassion cards of the two Peruvian children sharing my son and mothers birthday, hearing myself saying to God "I will sponsor these children if they lived close enough to Lima for me to get to them".

Of course they do! 6 year old Josue lives 20km southeast of Lima and Maricielo lives 8km north of Lima. This trip to Peru we will be visiting not one, not two but four Compassion projects. Im guessing the enrolment in Spanish lessons this year was a very good idea too!

We need to be so careful not miss what God has for us because we want to be comfortable or for things to be more convenient. I am obviously being stretched beyond my comfort zone. I have known for years that someday my husband and I will be living and working with kids in Peru (part -time). It shouldn’t then surprise me that God is getting me out into the suburbs at some stage!

"Learn to listen. Opportunity could be knocking at your door very softly. "Anonymous"

Find a child to sponsor here : http://www.compassion.com.au/

Is It Safe to Fly the Nazca Lines in Peru?

2011-09-07T06:17:00.000-07:00

Being the owner of Nine50 and Compassion Australia (Child Sponsorship Advocates) myself and my husband regularly travel to Peru for business and to visit our Compassion Sponsor children. Whilst The Nazca Lines are on the “Peru To Do List” we have yet to include it in our itinerary.

Read on to find out why not...

Travellers to Peru can find the Nazca Lines in a town called Nazca which is 200 miles southeast of Lima (capital of Peru). It is here that planes soar over the desert where it rains less than one inch every year and more than 800 straighlines, 300 geometrical figures and 70 animal and plant designs are embedded into the landscape. Swirls, zigzags, geometrical shapes (called biomorphs)ranging from 50 to 1200 feet in length (as large as the Q1 Building on Australia's Gold Coast or the Empire State Building)with some lines making even more distinct shapes like the monkey, spider and hummingbird.

Scientists believe that the majority of lines were made by the Nazca people who flourished from around A.D. 1 to 700. The Nazca lines are classified as negative geoglyphs. That is, they were made by removing part of the ground's surface, rather than by adding dirt or gravel. The surface of the Nazca desert is covered with rusted pebbles, which the ancient Nazca people removed to reveal lighter soil underneath. The dryness and lack of wind in the Nazca desert have kept the Nazca lines extremely well preserved over the centuries.

It has been suggested that because the drawings are so large and only fully viewable from the air, that perhaps the Nazca people were capable of flight. Pottery found in the area depicted images that could have been kites, or balloons. At the end of many of the lines were found wide circular pits containing charred rocks that could have been a launching site for a hot air balloons. Although an interesting possibility, there is no evidence that the Nazcan’s actually could have or did fly. It still remains much more likely that they lines were created only from those on the ground.

The leading theory is that the Nazca lines were religious in nature, meant to be visible to gods residing high in the sky. Proponents of this theory often suggest that the Nazca lines served not only as messages to the gods, but also as paths leading to and from places of worship.

Other theories regarding the ancient purpose of the Nazca lines are varied. One of the earliest theories proposed that the Nazca lines were a form of astronomical chart, but there is insufficient evidence to support this idea. A similar theory points to a period of frequent solar eclipses in the Nazca desert around the time the lines were built; the Nazca people may have interpreted the phenomenon as a giant eye observing them from the sky and built the Nazca lines for its benefit. Another theory that has gained some popularity is that the Nazca lines served as a map of underground waterways, which would have been quite valuable in the desert.

Saturday (October 03, 2010) a Cessna light aircraft crashed in Nazca - Peru, shortly after take off killing all 6 passengers onboard. The Air Nazca flight was thought to have suffered engine failure before it crashed as the pilots attempted an emergency landing.

This tragedy is not the first to the area. In February 2010 three Chileans and four Peruvians died when their Cessna 206 crashed killing everyone onboard. Another crash in April 2008 killed five French tourists, although their pilot survived. Ten years ago, one of the worst accidents occurred. Two aircraft hit each other over Nazca killing ten Italian and German tourists.

A recent finding by the El Comercio newspaper has shown that 90% of the 38 planes operating at the aerodrome are between 35 and 40 years old. One aircraft, with registration OB-1202, is a staggering 52 years old! Thankfully the operator, Nazca Air Lines, formally Aero Ica, has recently been shut down.

Without Peru’s Ministry of Transport (MTC) and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) pushing for and legislating for renovation, little if anything is likely to be done. A source at the aerodrome explains that on these old planes, navigation is carried out visually and by radio, whereas in other countries it is done by satellite. “In other countries this assistance from air traffic is through satellite equipment to minimize risks”.

The source goes on the explain that the 38 light aircraft that operate from the aerodrome have the exact same control panels, instruments, equipment, cabs, seats, doors, fuselage and wings from the year they were built. Nothing has been renewed.

Another issue is the limited passenger capacity. Of the 38 aircraft, 17 have space for three passengers, 12 for six passengers and only 4 for twelve passengers. This means, due to saturated skies over the lines, there is little capacity for further growth in tourism.

So will Tim and I ever fly over the Nazca Lines? I would have to say yes. Someday we will cross Nazca Lines off our to do list. As avid aviators and frequent travellers to Peru how could we resist one of the world’s most famous aerial wonders!

Australian Government Travel Advisory says "You should be aware of the risk flying over the Nazca Lines (a collection of lines and figures etched in the plains in Southern Peru) in unauthorised air services. On 2 October 2010, a light aeroplane crashed at the lines killing six people on board, four of them tourists. This accident is the most recent of several fatal accidents and emergencies at Nazca since 2007.

Fathers Day @ Nine50

2011-08-30T06:40:00.000-07:00

Nine50 Organic Jewellery

2011-08-19T01:02:00.001-07:00

Nine50 Tagua products are made from seeds found within the pods (cabezas) of the Ivory Nut Palm (Phytelephas aequatorialis), a native species of the Amazonian rainforest. Tagua has long been referred to as the "ivory of the rainforest", or "vegetable ivory" due to its exceptional carvability not unlike elephant ivory. The tagua seeds are harvested after they have fallen to the ground, so no harm is done to the rainforest during the production process. The collection of this natural product helps provide incentive to local forest inhabitants to protect the trees and keep the rainforest intact.

The tagua seeds are removed from the seed pod and transported to an artisan family or group who craft the seeds into our final products. The seeds are stripped of their outer shell and the raw seeds are then polished to achieve the desired result. If the hull is completely removed it will create a brilliant white nut that can be colored, or if the hull is partially left on it will create a "zebra" finish with stripes. The tagua can then be colored and carved into different shapes if desired, creating a beautiful finished product that is both Fair Trade and eco-friendly. So now you can look great while also helping to provide fulfilling work to the Peruvian women artisans who create each piece.

Check out this gorgeous Nine50 Organic Necklace made with coconut and tagua seeds!

Available Instore Now for Just $30

Peruvian Arpillera ~ Hand-sewn three dimensional textile pictures.

2011-06-01T16:19:00.000-07:00

Arpilleras or cuadros, exquisitely detailed hand-sewn three dimensional textile pictures, illustrate the stories of the lives of the women of the shantytowns (pueblo jovenes) of Lima, Peru and provide essential income for their families.

"Arpilleras originated in Chile, where women political prisoners who were held during the Pinochet regime used them to camouflage notes sent to helpers outside. Even the most suspicious guards did not think to check the appliquéd pictures for messages, since sewing was seen as inconsequential 'women's work'.

Today, arpilleras are created in a number of cooperatives located in the dusty shantytowns of poor and displaced families that ring the capital city of Lima." Pueblos are collections of the poorest people with unemployment near 80% and few sources of income. "Often the homes are shacks composed of salvaged parts: old doors, panels of straw matting, crating and corrugated metal. Water must be trucked in to the shantytowns because there are no water or sewage systems. Often, the small income from the sale of arpilleras provides the only source of income for families displaced from their traditional lives in the mountains. For others, this income allows the family to educate their children, to provide a little better living standard. For all, it engenders a sense of community among women who are often from very different customs and cultures; it is also a way to express their creativity.

The arpilleras tell the stories of life: stories of planting and harvesting potatoes, tomatoes, cabbages, grapes, corn; stories of spinning and weaving wool; stories of country life, of tending llamas, sheep and goats; stories of weddings and fiestas.

Arpillera's are now available at Nine50.

Five Reasons to Buy Handcrafted Jewellery this Mothers Day

2011-04-05T16:08:00.000-07:00

Handmade jewellery is often referred to as Artisan jewellery and makes the perfect Mothers Day gift. Artisan jewellery is amongst the most beautiful jewellery in the world, with skilled craftsmen using techniques passed from generation to generation over hundreds of years. Handcrafted Artisan jewellery is desirable by women all over the globe.

Nine50 Silver Jewellery is handcrafted by some of Peru's finest Artisans and excels store-bought, mass-produced jewelry in a number of ways. Here are five reasons why Handcrafted Jewelry is a wonderful gift, followed by five things that you should know about Peruvian Artisan Jewellery.

1. You get what you pay for. While most handcrafted jewelry is more expensive than store-bought jewelry, it is also typically better constructed and from better materials. Cheap jewelry requires the use of cheap materials and fast, often careless and/or unethical labor.

2. Human Touch. Most people value goods which are handmade over those which are machine made or produced by nameless people. Cheap jewelry does not become a family heirloom the way handcrafted jewelry does.

3. Sweat shops. Mass-produced jewelry is typically made in factories with poor working conditions, where labor laws and safety codes are often violated. When you buy handcrafted jewelry designed and created by an independent craftsman, you can be assured that your money is not going to further fuel child labor or sweat shops.

4. Microeconomics. When you support an artisan or artisan community, you are supporting people, not large businesses. Your money doesn't go to a rich CEO or celebrity spokesmodel; it goes to the person who made the jewelry.

5. A Living Wage. If you examine a $5 department store bracelet and calculate the store's markup, the middle-man's markup, the transportation costs, the material and overhead costs, and then the worker's labor, you can assume that the person who made it received no more than a few pennies for her labor. Artisans who sell directly or through a company that promotes socially conscious consumerism, can enjoy a living wage. Nine50 is an Associate member of the Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand. As a consumer Nine50 chooses to purchase products that are made in accordance with our values.

Why Buy Artisan Jewellery from Peru

1. Artisan Jewellery from Peru is made with natural materials.

2. Silversmiths that are the create this wonderful jewellery work in
family owned workshops, passing traditions from generation to generation.

3. Each piece of jewellery has a special meaning to the Artisan that made it. Coming from a long history of Artisan tradition and using materials with a symbolic nature each piece deserves to become a keepsake.

4. Each piece of jewellery is handmade, making it unique in character. This means that you are wearing a piece of art, something that is hard to put a price on.

5. Peruvian Silver is made using 950 silver which is renowned worldwide for its exceptional quality, design and finish. Nine50 Jewellery is 950/1000 parts silver (95%) which is purer than 925 Sterling Silver 925/1000 (92.5%).

These pieces will last a lifetime and can be passed from mother to daughter through generations.

Artisan jewelry is a meaningful gift, one that reflects not just your appreciation of the person who will be receiving it, but your understanding that she appreciates true beauty and meaning.

La Cocina Peruvian Resturant ~ Randwick Australia

2011-02-25T16:06:00.000-08:00

One of my greatest discoveries in life has been Peruvian Cuisine. Travel to Peru means many things to me and among those is the chance to sample morning, noon and night what I believe to be some of the finest cusine in the world!

On returning to my home country of Australia (known for our diversity in cuisine and culture) it is only natural for me to feel a longing for the wonderful flavours of Peru.

Last night my husband and I visited one of the few Peruvian resturants in Australia called "La Cocina" which is located in Randwick, Sydney Australia. La Cocina has mixed internet reviews of which many are not favourable so we decided to visit for ourselves.

We totally enjoyed the food and atmosphere which for us was reminiscent of our travels to Peru. La Cocina was authentic of a typical Peruvian sidewalk cafe from the decor and music to the homestyle cooking. The wait time between courses was slightly delayed but we didnt mind, for us it meant more time to reminiss our past adventures in Peru.

It is easy to understand that there might be some unfavourable reviews on La Cocina assuming those reviews are being posted by people who have never set foot in Peru. Perhaps reviewers are expecting a fine dining experience rather than an authentic casual Peruvian dining experience.

My husband and I rated our overall experience a 6.5/10 .

We most definately.will return to La Cocina! Muy Bien!

Visit La Cocina Website here : http://www.lacocinaperu.com.au/

Peruvian Cuisine

2011-02-25T15:46:00.000-08:00

Peruvian cuisine is one of the best in South America. It is well known for its exquisite taste, its variety and ability to incorporate influences from different times and cultures. Peru’s three regions, the Coast, Andean Sierra, and the Amazon jungle, together with the rich variety of seafood harvested from the Pacific Ocean, have made Peruvian cuisine an important expression of its culture and as revered as Peru’s ceramics, textiles, art, music and literature.

The culinary history of Peruvian food dates back to the Inca and Pre-Inca times when the staple diet consisted of maize, potatoes and spices. This was later influenced by the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. In the ensuing years the cuisine was further influenced and enriched by the influx migration from China, Europe, Africa and Japan.

These are probably the 5 quintessential dishes of Peruvian cuisine, so be sure to taste them when you visit Peru.

Of course, the 3 fish-based ones (causa, ceviche, and tiradito) should be enjoyed in Lima or some other coastal city. Papa a la huancaína, as the name indicates, is the flagship of the Andean city of Huancayo, while tacu tacu, a dish invented by the afroperuvian community, can be enjoyed anywhere.

Top 5 Peruvian Dishes:

1.Causa
2.Ceviche
3.Tacu-tacu
4.Tiradito
5.Papa a la huancaína

My favourite Peruvian cook book is The Art of Peruvian Cuisine by Tony Custer.
This wonderful book can be purchased from Amazon.

A World Of Difference Between Handcrafted And Handmade Silver Jewelry

2010-10-19T15:39:00.000-07:00

Delightful, glimmering semi-precious stones. Only the highest quality (.950) silver. Exceptional workmanship from brilliantly inspired artisans who carefully hand craft each piece of jewelry. Traditional Peruvian stones, shells and seeds, all with a unique symbolic significance and a reputed power; all of these combined are what help raise handmade Peruvian artisan jewelry a world above simple craft project items, and turn them into highly prized, wearable art.

Skilled artisans are adept at creating subtle and understated details using fine silver and embellishments, crafting unique and one-of-a-kind pieces anyone would love to display and wear. This is a far cry from simply stringing beads and chains together as a craft project. These outstanding pieces are designed and produced one at a time by highly trained Peruvian artists using only the finest materials and instruments, combining their modern design training with their cultural traditions. Using an expertise born from experience and training, these artisans delicately create each piece, taking into account the size and shape of each gem, the strength of each seed, and the significance of each stone. Every piece is meticulously crafted with the wearer in mind. Details such as how the piece will drape on the wrist or neck, or off the ears are taken into account with each jewelry component constructed.

The most obvious difference will be felt once you are wearing any of the pieces. The weight and balance of each and every piece have been painstakingly thought out, so that the pieces sway and hang comfortably with each movement. The stones, seeds and shells are each carefully and precisely placed, with the express purpose of catching the most light, reflecting the most shine, and showcasing the amazing density of detail and color they possess. Wearing these pieces will be an unparalleled pleasure and they are definitely what you would call "wearable art" and feel instantly comfortable once on. Our designs are understated enough to allow you to wear them with almost any ensemble, and yet they are beautifully exquisite eye-catching trimmings. They are truly the perfect accessories, and you will certainly receive many comments and compliments on them.

As a gift, these pieces are a superlative choice. Along with the design and color, you can select stones, shells and seeds by their Peruvian symbolism and purported power. In this way each piece can be distinctively personalized. This will ensure an exceptional one-of-a-kind gift, sure to delight any recipient.

By: Elaine Rojas

2010-03-16T23:31:00.000-07:00

Nine50 Jewellery is hand crafted by Contemporary Peruvian Artisans using techniques handing down over thousands of years. This stunning bracelet is a perfect example of the unique design and quality of Peruvian Artisan crafted jewellery.

All of our jewellery is crafted using the finest .950 silver, this bracelet also features silver balls encased with crochet of 1000 pure silver thread.

Special Offer $135 + $5 p&h

Suggested Retail $185.00

A tale of colonial ships and Peruvian gold

2010-01-15T22:26:00.000-08:00

In May 2007, US company Odyssey Marine Exploration discovered $500,000,000 of Peruvian gold and silver coins from the sunken colonial ship Nuestra Señora del las Mercedes. Spain immediately claimed the bounty as property of the Spanish crown, as did Peru. The saga begins more than 200 years ago, and is one that is only now coming to an end.

Location of Mercedes

The 5th of October 1804 was a day that began just like any other. The sea was calm and there was a light wind. The weather conditions that accompanied the frigate named Nuestra Señora del las Mercedes gave no clue to the events that were to unfold that day. Major Diego de Cádiz y Ponce de León was up early and wrote in his log that from the highest parts of the ship they could just make out the coast of Cádiz.

When the crew had already begun preparing for landing, at 8 o’clock in the morning, the Clara, one of the three other frigates that accompanied the Mercedes, announced the dreaded sighting of British warships.

Dismayed, and despite being in a supposed time of peace, the Mercedes, Clara, Medea and Fama were placed on alert for battle.

France was at war with Britain, and Spain, although not directly involved, was a French ally.

“From which port did you set sail?”, they were signalled. “From America to Cádiz” the Spanish replied.

The eventful journey had begun six months earlier at the port of Callao, in the Viceroyalty of Peru. The Mercedes was laden down with 253,606 pesos of royal money and 691,205 pesos of private money – this made up of around 700 gold coins. It also carried quinine and several kilos of vicuña wool, tin and copper ingots and two bronze cannons.

Peruvian Gold and Silver

Much of the cargo belonged to creole merchants from Lima. The extraction of gold and silver doing these final years of Peruvian pre-independence was brisk and a large number of coins were minted in Lima with Spain as the main destination.

Although at this time the independence of Peru was still a few years away (José de San Martín was a young 26 years old and Simón Bolívar was just 19), Túpac Amaru had begun a revolution 23 years earlier against the Spanish Crown. The idea of independence was not far from becoming established.

“There was a clear notion of difference with Spain”, says historian Joseph Dager, with thoughts of independence already forming. For the Mercedes however, the only thought was arriving to Cádiz safely with its Peruvian cargo.

“What this ship was carrying was a Peruvian cultural product. If this was textiles from Paracas or Moche ceramics nobody would doubt that the goods belonged to Peru. If one applies the same reasoning, these were Peruvian coins minted in Peruvian territory from Peruvian gold, culturally part of this nation”, the historian explains.

The Sinking

A British official boarded a small boat and headed towards the Spanish lead ship.

“By order of Her Majesty I must retain these ships even at the cost of a close battle”, he courteously explained, continuing that they had been waiting for their arrival for several days. He kindly requested that the Spanish surrender and accompany him, but they refused.

Battle

No sooner had the official re-boarded his small ship, the battle began. After half and hour of fighting, at about a quarter past nine, one of the British shots hit the Mercedes’s gunpowder store. “The ship just blew up”, was said to be the last entry in its log.

A heavy rain of wooden debris and soot covered the other three Spanish ships as the Mercedes sunk with its cargo and 270 crew members, including the major’s wife and children.

“The British attacked the Spanish ship believing it’s cargo was bound for Napoleonic France, first to try to seize what was on board and second just because Spain had allied itself to France”, Dager explains.

The discovery of Nuestra Señora de Las Mercedes and is subsequent looting by the US company Odyssey Marine Exploration, uncovers evidence of the intimate and interconnected history shared between distant Europe and Peru.

The Peruvian Claim

In May of 2007, Odyssey announced the discovery of a treasure of 17 tonnes of gold and silver. Day’s earlier, in a secret operation, the company robbed the historic site when it removed the treasure with robot submarines and took it to Gibraltar to be flown to the US is a series of flights.

Weeks later, faced with a court order in Tampa, Florida, and with the coins in judicial custody, the company stated that the treasure had been discovered off Portuguese waters, that what they had found were all that was there and that there were no remains of the Mercedes.

The coins in judicial custody

However, according to the cargo manifest, the Mercedes was carrying around one million pesos of silver: Odyssey seems to have declared a little more than half (58%).

“There’s no way of knowing if they found any more”, sustains Francisco Yábar, representative sent to the US to corroborate the origin of the coins now claimed by Spain. “The grand majority of the coins are from Peru”, he concluded after analysing the evidence.

This formed the basis of the Peruvian claim. “These coins were taken from here, the fruit of the labour of various Peruvians. What we have requested of the judge is to define the ownership of the cargo which constitutes part of Peruvian cultural heritage”, insisted ambassador Liliana Cino.

According to international law, ownership of private goods such as this are transmitted to the state from which they originated.

Spain, who at first supported Peru’s claim and considered sharing the coins when it seemed the US company would be allowed to take everything, now claims the entirety of the discovery on the bases that Peru at the time did not exist as a country, that Peru, its people and their production was all property of Spain.

“We were a subjugated state, but a separate one”, the ambassador affirms.

“These coins were not produced in Spain with Spanish labour, but in Peru with Peruvian labour”, Dager adds. “Perhaps Peru belonged to the Spain of 200 years ago that no longer exists, but it didn’t belong to the Spain that exists today”.

US sides with the colonial power

On the 23rd of December 2009, judge Steven D. Merryday of the Tampa court dismissed the Peruvian demand, affirming that Peru was indeed property of the then Spanish Crown and thus the Spanish state that exists today.

He gave Odyssey 10 days to transfer ownership of the coins to Spain, now worth about $500,000,000 USD. However, Odyssey have appealed, as has Peru.

Adapted from an article by El Comercio

For more visit Stuart Starrs who in my opinion the best blog on the internet about Peru.

You can check it out here :http://enperublog.com/

Peru Blogs

2009-12-17T14:50:00.000-08:00

Stuart Starrs has in my opinion the best blog on the internet about Peru.

You can check it out here :http://enperublog.com/

Anniversary Gemstone Table

2009-11-09T19:23:00.000-08:00

1st AnniversaryMother-of-PearlMother-of-Pearl

2nd Anniversary Garnet, Dark Siam

3rd Anniversary Moonstone

4th Anniversary Blue Topaz, Light Sapphire

5th Anniversary Rose Quartz, Light Rose

6th AnniversaryAmethyst

7th AnniversaryOnyx

8th Anniversary Tourmaline

9th Anniversary Lapis Lazuli

10th Anniversary Crystal

11th Anniversary Turquoise

12th Anniversary Jade, Green Jade, Lavender Jade, Lilac Jade, Red JaYellow Jade,Red Jade, Aqua Jade, Coral Jade, White Jade, Black Jade,

13th Anniversary Citrine

14th Anniversary Opal

15th Anniversary Alexandrite

16th Anniversary Peridot

17th Anniversary Carnelian

18thAnniversaryTigereye

19th Anniversary Aquamarine, Light Sapphire

20th Anniversary Emerald

21st Anniversary Iolite

22nd Anniversary Zircon, Blue Zircon

23rd Anniversary Yellow

24th AnniversaryTanzanite

25th Anniversary Silver

30th AnniversaryPearl

35th Anniversary Emerald

40th Anniversary Ruby

45th Anniversary Sapphire

50th Anniversary Gold

60th Anniversary ~DiamondCrystal

What is ~ Onyx?

2009-11-09T17:58:00.001-08:00

Pictured : Nine50 Onyx Ring SPP635

Onyx is a cryptocrystalline form of quartz. Cryptocrystalline is a rock which is made up minute crystals.

The colours of its bands range from white to almost every colour (save some shades, such as purple or blue). Commonly, specimens of onyx available contain bands of colours of white, tan, and brown.

Onyx has a long history of use for hard stone carving and jewellery, where it is usually cut as a cabochon, or into beads, and is also used for intaglio or cameo engraved gems.

Onyx comes through Latin from the Greek onyx meaning 'claw' or 'fingernail'. With its flesh tone colour, onyx can be said to resemble a fingernail.

The name onyx was used by the Romans for a variety of stones including alabaster, chalcedony, and what is now known as onyx marble. Roman soldiers wore sardonyx talismans engraved with heroes such as Hercules or Mars, god of war. They believed that the stone would make the wearer as brave and daring as the figured carved on it. During the Renaissance, sardonyx was believed to bring eloquence upon the wearer and was regarded with great value by public speakers and orators.

Onyx at one time was more precious than gold, silver, or sapphire.

Lapis Lazuli

2009-10-28T00:24:00.001-07:00

Lapis Lazuli ~ Pictured : Nine50 Lapis Earring & Pendant Set JPP127

Lapis lazuli (Pronounced Lap-iss LAZ-yu-lee) (sometimes abbreviated to lapis) is a relatively rare, semi-precious stone that has been prized since antiquity for its intense blue colour.

Lapis lazuli has been mined in the Badakhshan Province of Afghanistan for thousands of years, and trade in the stone is ancient enough for lapis jewellery to have been found at Ancient Egyptian sites. Interestingly Lapis Lazuli is a rock not a mineral. A mineral has only one constituent, lapis lazuli is formed from more than one mineral. Many people are drawn to the mysterious deep blue of Lapis Lazuli, or Lapis for short.
It is one of the oldest “spiritual” stones, first mined thousands of years ago in Afghanistan – some of the finest stones still come from that area. Its name comes from the Latin word lapis, meaning “stone” and the Arabic word azul, which means “blue.” (The word “blue” is also azul in Spanish/Peru). In addition, it has been noted the Persian word lazhward means blue and could possibly be another origin of the name. But whatever its origin, lapis is a wonderful stone rich in folklore and metaphysical tradition.
Lapis has been used in ornamental decoration for thousands of years. The Egyptians crushed it and used it to decorate their eyelids. It was also ground and used for paint. In Egypt lapis was used mainly by royalty and priests, and it is believed that the sapphire referred to in the Bible was actually lapis lazuli. Lapis was often worn as a talisman and used in inlaid work and ornaments. The Romans believed it was an aphrodisiac.
As inscribed in the 140th chapter of the Egyptian Book of the Dead, lapis lazuli, in the shape of an eye set in gold, was considered an amulet of great power. On the last day of the month, an offering was made before this symbolic eye, for it was believed that, on that day, the supreme being placed such an image on his head.
Lapis Lazuli is fairly soft, so it should not be soaked in water for a long period of time. After cleansing, dry the stone immediately. Also take care to lapis jewellery before swimming. Always use a polishing cloth which is safe to use on semi-precious stones or just use a soft cloth to polish. Chemicals will discolour this stone.

Spondylus Shell ~

2009-10-27T20:48:00.000-07:00

Pictured : Nine50 Spondylus Earring & Pendant Set (JPP 142)

Spondylus is a genus of bivalve mollusks, the only genus in the family Spondylidae. As well as being the systematic name, Spondylus is the most often used common name for these animals, though they are also known as thorny oysters or spiny oysters. Like the true oysters (family Ostreidae) they cement themselves to rocks. Several Pre-Hispanic societies would sail rough waters to the Gulf of Guayaquil searching for Spondylus Shell. Equador has very warm waters where Spondylus thrives. People were willing to sail miles through the Pacific Ocean in search of these shells because of the belief they were charged with symbolic powers. Spondylus has also been associated with femininity and therefore it was considered a powerful fertility symbol.

In Peru the Pre-Incan Mochica culture made ceramic objects representing the shell. In Ecuador, the sophisticated pre-Incan Valdivia culture, which boasts the oldest ceramics in the Americas, made wonderfully elaborate necklaces, nose rings, and other objects out of Spondylus. Many archeologists believe the Valdivia Culture was a matriarchic society, so it would make sense that feminine symbols would be considered so powerful. At any rate, only members of the elite and high priest could wear Spondylus objects. The Incas also shared this obsession for the spondylus, and some historians even think this is what led them to conquer what is present day Ecuador.

Because of its importance, this shell made its way not only throughout the coast, but also from the jungle, to the Andes, and even to Central America. Some archeologist believe it was used as a form of monetary exchange or ancient "coin."

In Peru the Spondylus only appeared when the water became warmer during the time of the El Niño Current in December, right before the rainy season. For this reason, the indigenous people of Peru saw them as bringing forth the rain. In hostile and dry areas such as the Peruvian Coast, it is no wonder these "signs of rain" were considered valuable. When there was drought, and no Spondylus around, it only seemed logical to these people to travel to the Gulf of Guayaquil in order to find these shells which would help bring the rain.

Unfortunately, the major threat to Spondylus is Ocean pollution, harsh fishing methods, and overexploitation for it fleshy inside, which is also considered a delicacy by locals.

As far as consumption for jewellery, because it difficult to carve its spiky surface, there aren't a lot of people who shape spondylus. For this reason, local spondylus artisans are not considered a threat for this shell.

Guide To Nine50 Shells & Stones

2009-10-27T20:43:00.000-07:00

I have many requests by customers for information on the shells and

stones used to create Nine50 Jewellery. This week I will begin to post information which may be useful for you and your customers.

Please feel free to contact us at sales@nine50.com.au if you require further information.

Nine50 Peruvian Silver on Youtube

2009-09-16T20:37:00.001-07:00

Gone In A Flash ~ Are Diamonds Really Forever?

2009-09-10T06:52:00.000-07:00

Diamonds? Are they really forever?

There are actually alot of lies that have been created by the diamond industry.

Dont get me wrong, I think diamonds are beautiful as are all naturally created stones.

Despite what the ads tell you, diamonds are not forever.

They are flammable and will burn brightly with the help of a torch.

No way you say! Well think about it.

It makes perfect sense considering they are made of pure carbon, which reacts with oxygen to form carbon dioxide ("reacts with oxygen" just being another way of saying "burns").

The diamond really only has one claim to fame : being the hardest substance on earth (as far as we know).

Despite its hardness, though, the chemical bonds that hold the carbon atoms in a diamond together are actually weaker than those that hold together the common form of pure carbon, graphite.

The difference is that in diamonds the bonds form an inflexible, three dimmensional lattice, whereas in graphite the atoms are tightly bonded into sheets. Those sheets can slide easily against each other, making graphite soft and slippery.

It is actually bond strength and not hardness, that determines how easily oxygen attack and burn a material, allowing a diamond to be burnt in a pool of liquid oxygen resting in a block of graphite.

Okay, so what does this mean to you. All this scientific information.

Well, if your house burns down with your precious jewellery inside, you will be able to find clumps of melted gold and silver, but sorry girls.....your diamonds will be gone in a puff of CO2.

Cheaper more attractive stones, such as Cubic Zirconias(synthetic/man-made), Zircons(natural Stones) and synthetic ruby and saphires, are made of refractory metal oxides that easily withstand the same heat.

So believe it or not.....................Diamonds are NOT Forever.

Join Nine50 Facebook Fanpage to see our Zircon Range of Jewellery.

Click Here : ttp://tinyurl.com/yg8sky6

How to spell Jewellery? Jewelery? Jewelry?

2009-08-15T18:23:00.000-07:00

There are some words in the English language that everybody seems to have trouble with. Ask 10 people in an English speaking country to spell the word 'Jewelry' and you'll get at least 3 different answers.
Perhaps because of this uncertainly, many would be reluctant to correct anothers' choice of spelling. Although phonetically there is no difference; jewellery is normally always pronounced with 3 syllables JOO-uhl-ree, irrespective of a double 'l' or not.
The word has its origin in a combination of the latin jocale "plaything" and a medieval French word jouel, which later became the anglicised jewel.
Following the established British English spelling rule, stating that the final consonant of a word should be doubled when its added
suffix begins with a vowel, we get jewel-lery.This rule usually applies to instances where the final syllable ends with a vowel followed by a single consonant: Jeweller.
UK Correctly Written 'Jewellery'?
As a consequence, some in the UK, believe the only 'correct' variant to be: 'Jewellery'. However, although it is little known, the spelling 'Jewelry' is also legitimate and contemporarily acceptable, as correctly written UK English.
Jewelry is thought to have had some currency as a preferred 'poetic' or 'rhetorical' spelling in British English.
This uncertainty leads many to select a favourite spelling variant and use it exclusively, comfortable in the knowledge that few would question them.
USA Correctly Written 'Jewelery'?
In referencing the Oxford English Dictionary, the correct variant in the USA is 'Jewelery'.
This seems at odds with the apparent popularity of the variant 'Jewelry', that pervades written USA English.
Why Not 'Gewelry'?
It seems this is one particular noun, that has 'mutated' in its currently favoured spelling, with little concern for established spelling rules, national borders and differences in culture.
The people of all English speaking nations, appear to have been equally reluctant, to definitively 'stake their claim' and 'own' a particular spelling variant.
Hence, in the case of jewellery, valid spelling as evidenced in everyday usage, seems to simply be a matter of personal preference and a universal acceptance of conventions established as a direct consequence of the words' origin: jewelry, jewllery, jewelery is always spelt with a 'J'!

Nine50 Joins The Global Poverty Project

2009-07-12T04:03:00.000-07:00

1.4 billion people on our planet live in extreme poverty. The Global Poverty Project seeks to invigorate the global movement to take effective concerted action on poverty through the presentation 1.4 billion reasons.

What is The Global Poverty Project?

A simple yet ground-breaking presentation is travelling the world, inspiring and empowering audiences in its path. Based on leading research, the 90 minute presentation clearly articulates the facts of extreme poverty and demonstrates that by making simple changes everyone can be a part of the solution.
Compelling and challenging, the presentation moves audiences to take action and become a part of the movement to end extreme poverty.
Kicking off!
The tour begins with the launch of 1.4 billion reasons on July 4, 2009. The first leg of the tour will travel across Australia and New Zealand delivering 45 presentations in 42 days.
Globally, the movement will reach and engage millions.

How can you help end extreme poverty?

The Global Poverty Project is not after your money. The presentation explains how your everyday actions – in what you learn, say, buy, give and do – can be connected to the ending of extreme poverty. Small actions in your life can create big opportunities for the world's poorest.
1.4 billion reasons links audience members with leading organisations so that each and every one of us can take action to end extreme poverty.

Nine5o has joined the Global Poverty Project in our commitment to stand against Global Poverty. Take a look at the wesite and see how you can positively impact the world through your everyday actions.

http://www.globalpovertyproject.com/

Nine50 Visits Australia's South Coast

2009-06-27T04:27:00.000-07:00

Monday June29th - Friday July 3rd 2009

After much anticipation Nine50 will be on show along the South Coast of Australia!

Me...(Lee-Ann Kelly) will be visiting many high profile business'/boutiques in coastal towns along the South Coast including :

Thirroul

Wollongong

Kiama

Gerringong

Berry

Berrima

Nowra

Mollymook

Ulladulla

Batemans Bay

Moruya

Narooma

Tilba

Bermagui

We are looking foward to bringing Nine50 to

Australia's South Coast :-)

Interesting Facts of Peru

2009-06-24T03:41:00.000-07:00

Peru is a country in western South America that borders Cambodia, Ecuador, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, and the Pacific Ocean. Peru is most famous for being the home of the Inca Empire from the 15th century. Peru is also home to many different ethnic groups today and is known as a major historical and cultural site. It wasn’t until July 28, 1819 until Peru became a nation of its own. The capital and largest city in Peru is Lima and the official language is Spanish. They have a population of almost 30 million which is the 41st biggest in the world.

Here are 15 interesting facts about Peru that you might not have known:

If you are from Peru then your nationality is Peruvian.

The life expectancy at birth for people in Peru is 69.84. This is due to the poverty in the country and the lack of doctors.

The largest ethnic group in Peru is the Amerindian, followed closely by the Mestizo and white.
90% of people in Peru belong to the Roman Catholic religion.

The literacy rate in Peru is 90.9% which is impressive for a country with so much poverty.

Peru was the homeland of the Inca Empire until 1533 when it was taken over by Spanish conquistadores.

Peru ranked 79 out of 177 countries in the UN Human Development Index in 2005. This was an improvement of 6 places since 2004’s ranking of 85.

Peru’s most famous sport is Soccer, but they also enjoy tennis, surfing, beach volleyball, and sailing.

In west Peru there are some desert lands, where in the east it is a very tropical climate
Peru’s natural resources are silver, gold, copper, timber, fish, petroleum, coal, iron, ore, phosphate, potash, hydropower, and natural gas.

Peru has to deal with natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, volcanic activity, and mudslides.

Peru has 246 airports. That’s more than it has ever had before. This is a good sign for the economy.

Unfortunately, the country only has 1 heliport.

Peru features over of 3000 kilometers of railway.

Peru is home to the famous Lake Titicaca.

Artwork ~ Peruvian Silversmiths

2009-06-22T07:09:00.000-07:00

Collection:
JCB Archive of Early American Images
Image date:
[1706]
Description:
Native Americans melt, anneal, and chase silver. Goldsmiths or silversmiths tend a fire and blow on the flames of the hearth or foundry. Includes baskets, feathered garments, and dwellings.

This image is derived from Theodor de Bry's America, part 6, plate 27, which describes the goldsmiths of Huayna-Capac who were master craftsmen. They used clay furnaces and the men blew on the coals with tubes to create enough heat to work the gold.This image follows the special title page for Antonio de Herrera y Tordesillas, Seer aanmerkelijke scheeps-togten, gedaan door Franciscus Pizarrus, en Didacus Almagrus, van Panama na Peru ... , Leiden, 1706.This collection of voyages consists of 127 parts, each having a special title page, separate pagination, and register. The voyages covering the period from 1246 to 1696 are arranged chronologically.
Time Period:
1701-1750
Subject Area:
Artifacts, industry, and human activities; Indigenous peoples
geographic area:
Spanish America

Source:

http://jcb.lunaimaging.com/luna/servlet/detail/JCB~1~1~5802~9050004:-Silversmithing-of-native-Americans

Silver in Ancient Peru

2009-06-22T06:48:00.000-07:00

Silver in Ancient PeruPrecious metals had a special status in ancient Peruvian civilizations. As materials, silver and gold were symbols of power and prestige and also held symbolic and religious significance. Objects of silver and gold were worn exclusively by the elite, and expressed social status and political authority in life and death when they were placed as offerings in tombs with the deceased. (Photo : Ancient Peruvian Headress).

The title of the exhibition derives from an Inka invocation chanted by tillers working the fields: "The sun rains gold, the moon rains silver."While today gold commands more attention than silver because it is more highly valued, silver was to the ancients equally cherished and revered. When the Spaniards arrived in South America in the 16th century, they discovered a vast area on the Pacific side, stretching from Ecuador in the north to central Chile in the south, ruled by the Inka. They reported that all the gold and silver in the land was the property of the supreme ruler of the Inka and that those two metals were associated with celestial deities. The warm, reflective glow of gold symbolized the sun, a male deity; the soft, cool sheen of silver symbolized the moon, a female deity and source of life-giving waters.

From a modest beginning in the late first millennium B.C. when silver first appeared in small personal adornments, it was exploited to its fullest during the 12th through 15th century, when the Lords of the Chimú Kingdom ruled over the northern part of the Peruvian coast. At that time silver was used for objects of all kinds, from grand items of jewelry such as earflares and necklace beads, to disks and vessels both large and small, to sheathing elements for sizeable works in materials such as wood. Necessitating greater technical ability and knowledge than the working of gold—which exists as a metallic element in nature—silver must be smelted and refined before it can be made into objects.

Why does Silver Tarnish?

2009-06-18T15:53:00.000-07:00

No matter what, Pure or mixed, nothing stops Silver from tarnishing. When Silver is exposed to the air and atmosphere, it causes a chemical reaction that creates something called Silver Sulfate.

Occasionally some people may have a higher level of acid in their skin and this will also speed up the chemical reaction sometimes causing the black sulfate to be left on the skin.

Here's a list of things that Silver has a bad reaction with: Wool, Rubber Bands, Latex Gloves, Oils from your Hands and Fingers, Ammonia, Chlorinated Water, Carpet Padding, Air Pollution, Perfumes, Hair Sprays, and believe it or not, some foods can even make Silver tarnish. Foods like: Onions, Mayonnaise, Salad Dressing, Eggs and Salty Foods.

In fact, just the humidity alone can cause Silver to tarnish!

The good thing is, it's easy to buff and clean Silver. It doesn't take much to polish up a Ring with a Polishing Cloth or a Jeweler's Buffing Wheel. Just a couple of minutes and your Silver Jewelry will look new again.

The best way to store your Silver Jewelry is in individually sealed poly bags or zip lock bags. It won't keep your Jewelry from tarnishing, but it will delay the process.
Cleaning your Silver Jewelry with warm water and drying it with a soft cloth after you wear it, will remove any oily residue and slow the process down as well.

But what's the best medicine for your Silver Jewelry tarnishing? The best medicine for preventing Silver from tarnishing, believe it or not... Is to wear it!

It's true. Just normal wear and tear and friction of daily life will sometimes be enough to keep your Rings outer surface Bright and White! Fancy that!

SILVER JEWELLERY CLEANING TIPS FROM NINE50

1. Wear your Silver often.

2. Keep it dry and clean.

3. Polish it at least a few times a year.

** We recommend Connoisseurs Cleaning Cloths which contains an Exclusive Anti-Tarnish formula and are suitable for use on precious and semi-precious stones and shells.

Follow our tips and your Silver Jewelry can last you a lifetime!

Need Help? Have another Question? Please email us at sales@nine50.com.au

Peruvian Cuisine

2009-06-17T02:23:00.001-07:00

On my first trip to Peru I was overwhelmed by the amazing variety and quality of cuisine on offer. It was very difficult not to base my holiday schedule on meal times! My husband Tim laughed constantly at me as I was always checking my watch to see how long it was before we could hunt down another amazing Peruvian eatery.
(Photo is of one of the meals we shared whilst in Peru).

Peruvians are so very social and there is an endless selection of cafes and resturants buzzing with people and traditional Peruvian Music. Children popping in an out trying to sell flowers or gum with their toothless cheeky smiles provide much entertainment for diners.

Peruvian Cuisine is one of the most diverse in the world because it is a blend of many different cultures: Incan, Spanish, Basque, African, Japanese, French and Italian. Peruvian farmers produce a variety of crops so that the people of Peru enjoy an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Peru boasts 35 varieties of corn, 15 varieties of tomatoes and over 2,000 varieties of potatoes and sweet potatoes - yes, 2,000. You havent had potatoes until you have been to Peru!

Peruvian cuisine takes advantage of the many varieties of fresh fish, fruits, vegetables and meats available in Peru. In addition, as anyone who has had the pleasure of traveling throughout Peru can attest, there are regional differences that add to the diversity of Peruvian cuisine.

For instance, Peru is well-known for its fresh fish dishes including Ceviche, which is the raw fish dish found along the coasts of Peru. This popular fish is finely diced and marinated in lime juice and hot pepper. It is often served with raw onions, sweet potato and corn. Ceviche is definately one of my favourites.

Another popular appetizer served in coastal resturants and homes alike is Causa, a cold pie made with mashed potatoes and filled with seafood. Peruvian cuisine is equally well-known for its stews of fresh fish, meat, potatoes and spicy chili pepper. Many dishes created by the local natives in the coastal regions of Peru include African and Chinese influences.

The cuisine near Lima (capital of Peru) and the central coast is varied from other areas of the country due to the influx of immigration to this vice-royalty capital. Creole cuisine has had a big influence in the capital city of Lima and seafood is a big part of the Creole diet. A dish called Cioppino, which is a shrimp stew, is very popular.

Chinese style rice and chicken as well as other rice dishes are also popular near Lima. One raw fish dish in this region of Peru is called Tiradito. It is an innovation of the Japanese immigrants: sliced raw fish marinated in lime juice and ginger and served without the typical raw onion topping. This central region also has their own style of meat pies, fresh fish and stews. Many dishes contain potatoes, red chilies, onions and tomatoes.

The food near the Andes use corn and potatoes as its base. The meat used in dishes from this region is imported livestock such as sheep and pigs. The main fresh water fish here is trout and there are farm-raised ostriches whose meat is also used in cooking. Pachamanca is a method of cooking potatoes, pork, and corn in a hole in the ground covered with stones and leaves. In this region guinea pigs are often roasted and served with peanut sauce. We havent tried Guinea Pigs yet.......but I am totally willing to give it a go.

A popular Peruvian soft drink is Inca Cola. It is a yellow carbonated soft drink that is immensely popular with natives and tourists alike. So much so that sales of Inca Cola is purported to exceed sales of Coca Cola in Peru. Inca Cola tastes like creaming soda and is served nationwide.

Pisco (which I love!) is a brandy made from grapes produced in various regions of the country and is the main liquor in the quintessential Pisco Sour served in restaurants and bars in this region. Peruvians love their Pisco so much they actually have a National Pisco Sour Day!

A popular dessert is Suspiro Limeno which is caramel flavored custard with a port wine syrup meringue topping. Turrones, anise or honey flavored nougats, are another delicious sweet which are usually made from almonds.

Peruvian food is exciting and varied. There are many websites featuring Peruvian recipes on the internet. So surf the net, give your taste buds a treat and discover some new personal favorites.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc-FH6kAv-Q

Why Peruvian Silver?

2009-06-16T00:20:00.000-07:00

Why does Peruvian silver jewellery rank among some of the finest artisan jewellery in the world?

One reason is that the silver in Peruvian jewellery is very high in quality.

Sterling silver is defined as containing a minimum of 92.5% pure silver.

Peruvian silversmiths move one step beyond this 92.5% minimum standard, using 95% pure silver in their handcrafted jewellery making some of the finest silver jewellery in the world.
Unlike the jewellery that is ubiquitously available in local malls and department stores, handcrafted silver jewellery from Peru is crafted by artisans whose families have been creating it for generation upon generation. Their traditions stretch back into the mists of time -- in some cases back even to the ancient, aristocratic Moche and Inca Civilizations.

Peruvian silver jewellery is not always confined by tradition. Many Peruvian artisans are so talented they're able to combine tradition with modern, bold and dynamic designs.

The result is innovative jewellery often more vibrant than that found elsewhere. Their deep appreciation for exotic, native materials is another reason Peruvian artisans are able to create some of the world's finest silver jewellery. For example, the striking, red jungle seeds called "huayruro" are the centrepiece of some of today's most captivating Peruvian silver jewellery. In conjunction with their beautifully hand-crafted settings, these densely-red, dried seeds -- either singly or in clusters -- make bracelets, necklaces and earrings and rings unique and stunning.

Another exotic native material often used in Peruvian silver jewellery is the spondylus shell, highly prized for generations. The use of Spondylus Shell can be traced back to the ancient Moche Civilization of the 1st to 8th centuries AD.

In the past, Moche kings, queens and other royalty were buried with large quantities of these highly-prized shells. Archaeologists have uncovered from several ancient pre-Columbian civilizations in Peru, enormous quantities of beads made of spondylus shell. Today this time-honoured material makes for some exquisitely enchanting and captivating organic jewellery.Apart from its superior quality Peruvian Silver is fast becoming the chosen silver jewellery to buy for many women. Peruvian silver jewellery is produced by artisans struggling for economic independence in a third-world country undergoing rapid change. Purchasing Peruvian Silver gives socially conscious buyers a chance to help Peruvians become economically self sufficient in a country where poverty is still very prevalent.

Interview with Nine50

2009-06-14T23:59:00.000-07:00

http://autochic.com.au/news/whatshot/Interview-with-Nine50-Jewellery-Founder-LeeAnn-Kelly/

Transformation.........

2009-06-14T16:43:00.000-07:00

Hi there! Welcome to Nine50's Blog.

My name is Lee-Ann Kelly and I am the (36 year old) Australian Owner & Founder of Nine50 Peruvian Silver Jewellery. I began developing Nine50 as a Brand and Business in 2007.

It has always been my dream to own and run a successful retail business and Nine50 has allowed me to couple this dream with my vision of making a difference for the people of Peru.

Nine50 is currently a Wholesale/Direct Selling business importing 950 Silver Jewellery from Peru in addition to Peruvian goods such as Alpaca Clothing, Handicrafts,Organic Peruvian Coffee and more.

Nine50 has various charitable initiatives including micro-lending to Peruvian men and women through Kiva.org and the sponsorship of Peruvian children through the Christian Organisation Compassion International.

Visitors to our website ( http://www.nine50.com.au/) will notice a Blue Morpho Butterfly in flight.

A Morpho butterfly may be one of over 80 species of the genus Morpho. They are Neotropical butterflies found mostly in South America as well as Mexico and Central America. Morphos range in wingspan from the 7.5 cm (3 inch) M. rhodopteron to the imposing 20 cm (8 inch) Sunset Morpho, M. hecuba.

The name Morpho, means changed. I chose the Morpho to be a reminder to me that Nine50 exists to bring about transformation and change in the lives of Peruvian children who are living in poverty.

Beautiful Butterfly Jewellery and Dragonfly Jewellery made using real butterfly wings and 950 silver are available from our website http://www.store.nine50.com.au/Butterflys_Dragonflys/cat3925_37078.aspx.

We pray that all those who purchase a Nine50 Butterfly Pendant will experience wonderful transformation in their lives in addition to be reminded they have contributed to Nine50's vision for transforming lives of Peruvian children.

Looking foward to sharing more with you,

Lee-Ann Kelly

Nine50

Australia