Aunt Nadiene's Thai Rose Gold Vermeil, and 10 similar items

~ Voodoo Priestess Estate ~ Aunt Nadiene's Thai Rose Gold Vermeil, Sapphire and Tourmaline Gems Ring A Seance Spirit Reading Room Find ~:~ It has now been twenty-one and a half years ago since we were called to do an estate that had been closed up for seventeen years! The Voodoo Estate This type of call usually gets us excited as they are a treasure trove. Located here in Florida, there was no electricity or running water so we rigged our own lighting and in we went. If you have ever seen the Adams Family you will have some idea as to what we were greeted with! Then the attorney handling the liquidation gave us some background. The estate had belonged to an alleged powerful Voodoo Priestess/JooJoo Exorcist, grand daughter of a Marie Laveau, and favored daughter of a Marie Glapion. These names meant nothing to us, but the late night talk of Voodoo and exorcism in the old mansion was enough to make us decide to spend the night in a hotel and return in the morning to assess the estate. The rest is history. Our research has shown that this woman was what she claimed and was indeed descended from a long line of well known Vodoun family originating in New Orleans in the early 1800's. We were pretty unnerved by this until we discovered they were also devout Catholics! Although I have to admit this was unlike any Catholic home we have ever been in and some of the items found inside were a little more than unnerving. There was no feeling of dread or unwelcome in the mansion, however there was quite a bit of contraband and other items we can or will not sell here. This is one of a few pieces from this estate we will be listing this week, so check our other listings. We will, upon the new guardian's request, issue a named Letter of Authenticity with each piece from this estate, complying with the terms set forth to us by the estate's attorney. Some Back Story This is one of the two hundred and twelve assorted pieces of Thai gold, vermeil, silver and gemstone jewelry that were recovered from a jewelry salesman's sample case sitting on the floor in the storage closet that served her main seance and reading room. These rooms were a commercial endeavor that had a wealthy following and it is where many of the major seances of this estate were conducted. Many, if not all of her associates worked this room, conducting seances, card readings and numerous forms of divination for their clientele. Apparently this was a lucrative endeavor, as it remained active for over six decades. Her journals list a host of well known psychics, mediums and other celebrities that would make guest appearances and that these events were booked to capacity well in advance. They also tell us the ring is one of many her Aunt Nadiene had made for her by a Thai jeweler of Chanthaburi in 1956/57. This jeweler had copied a handful of gold and gemstone rings in vermeil, many of which were gifted and inherited by her niece. While there, she purchased a sizable quantity of jewelry to be sent home for resale to their clients. Often times claiming to cast spells or attach spirits to a selected piece of jewelry at a client's request. ~!~ Aunt Nadiene Although not a blood Aunt, she had been "taken into the fold as a child found" by her "mother" as she was said to refer to Marie Glapion. Further chronological investigation revealed her to be the daughter of a prostitute that was in her mother's (Marie Glapion) employ. Other notes found might lead one to believe her mother was an Algul. Described as a vampiric jinn like creature they claimed to have encountered in remote desert regions. Our own research has not revealed very much other than Algul literally translates to "horse-leech," or "blood-sucking Jinn." An example was found in the 'Thousand and One Nights' as Amine. Although a drinker of blood, it is a Jinn, or demon that was never human. Unkillable by most means, it can be destroyed by fire and sometimes magic. Most inhabited unchartable regions of desert, but oil production has driven them from their homes and she claims "they live among us, posing no threat to adults save sexual fulfillment, but they must be watched around children and livestock." ~!~ It is not clear if Aunt Nadiene was abandoned by her mother or if the mother died, orphaning the girl, but she was apparently treated and referred to as a family member, indoctrinated along with her "niece" and for many years she was her traveling companion and guardian. Her journals note of Aunt Nadiene's passing in 1966. She also notes of wearing Aunt Nadiene's jewelry, "Connected to her so closely in life, it awakens psychic qualities with a feeling of devotional joy to wear them." Other journal entries allege incidents of Aunt Nadiene, "owl shape shifting," claiming the Great Horned Owl as being her spirit guide or token spirit animal, and because of this, her taking due care in the handling of owls in her bird and reptile ceremonies, not submitting them to the torturous ceremonial deaths many other species endured during these ceremonies. She also notes of a number of dreams in which a Great Horned Owl wearing her aunt's jewelry would appear to her. They also go into detail of her gazing into her stones (sphere's), to draw upon Aunt Nadiene's power to help her in this life. ~!~ The Ring, Its Components and Commentary Examination reveals a well made rose gold vermeil thick shank saddle ring setting displaying a magnificent display of eighty-eight faceted round sapphire gems in an array of colors which surround a single yellow 2.2 mm faceted round and six 3.2 x 4.7 mm faceted pear, teal, pink, green, violet and yellow tourmaline gems, all further described in detail below. We believe the ring may have been a catalog item among the jewelers of Chanthaburi with the options being choice of metals and gemstones. Chanthaburi is a well known center of semi-precious stones and jewelry. It was once famous for its ruby and sapphire mines, but most of Chanthaburi's mines have been mined out since the 1980s. Today it is an industry leader in colored stone processing, including gemstone treatments, enhancements, cutting and polishing. Nearly 70% of the world's entire supply of rubies and sapphires pass through Chanthaburi. Their journals tell us these pieces of jewelry were chosen for their design and combinations of metal and gemstones. ~!~ Gold Vermeil Gold Vermeil refers to electroplated silver (described below), using gold of different fineness. The US. minimum required karatage is 10K (42% of pure gold) and with a thickness of at least 2.5 microns (0.0025 millimeters) and being made up entirely of two precious metals (silver and gold). Vermeil jewelry therefore has a greater intrinsic value than gold plated jewelry with a thicker plating of the gold over sterling silver. Gold plating is a method of depositing a layer of gold onto a conductive surface. The piece in base metal to be gold plated is immerged in an electrolyte solution with particles of gold which are deposited onto the surface of the base metal thanks to a current. This is the same technique used to form gold vermeil; in vermeil a layer of at least 2.5 microns of gold (also referred to as ?heavy gold plating?) is deposited onto silver. ~!~ More often than not, their metal of choice was silver as she notes, "Silver is the mirror of the soul related to the moon energies. It strengthens connections of the astral and physical bodies. A metal unmatched in its psychic energies and healing abilities, I have used it as a spell medium, to heal the speech impaired and to help public speakers achieve eloquence. Induced into the drink, it has expelled the toxins that caused headaches, arthritis, intestinal and blood disorders. More importantly it attracts, enhances and stores energies of gemstones, driving out negative energies the stone may have absorbed." Although silver was her usual metal of choice, sometimes, as in this case, gold was used and she notes, "Gold transmits and conducts energies extremely well. It balances these energy fields and is beneficial in the third eye and crown meditations. It removes negative energies and brings in the positive from the stones it is with. It is a mineral of spirituality, understanding and attunement." Rose, Red, or Pink Gold Rose gold is a gold and copper alloy widely used for jewelry. It is also known as pink or red gold. It was popular in Russia at the beginning of the nineteenth century, and was then known as Russian gold. This term is now obsolete. Rose gold jewelry has becoming more popular in the late 20th. century. Although the names are often used interchangeably, the differences between red, rose, and pink gold is the copper content: the higher the copper content, the stronger the red coloration. Pink gold uses the least copper, followed by rose then red gold having the highest copper content. The highest karat version of rose gold, known as crown gold, is 22 karat. During ancient times, due to impurities in the smelting process, gold frequently turned a reddish color. This is why many Greco-Roman texts, and even many texts from the Middle Ages, describe gold as "red." ~!~ She does tell us, "the stones used in this ring are host to a long list of metaphysical properties". ~!~ The Sapphire Gems And then we have the sapphire gems used in this ring. They are of very good to fine cut and color with loupe visible rutile inclusions which guarantees their being natural, untreated stones with an abundant flash. Her notes also indicate sapphire with these ranges of color have a broad spectrum of powerful metaphysical properties and when worn during trials helped her to determine the truth. She goes on to write; "Well charged its energies increase awareness and intuition on both the physical and non-physical planes, but I must caution its use inspires ambition. It protects one from physical harm, strengthens loyalty and honesty to those exposed to it. But its strongest energies aid in meditation and enhance one's own spiritual and mental powers." Another entry reads; "One's understanding is enhanced markedly by an increased level of self-confidence and amplification of one's psychic energies when these stones are worn. This energy will neutralize negative energies in its sphere of influence while dispelling the fear and grief associated with loves lost in death or disassociation. They relax the physical and nonphysical self and have proven useful in treating anxiety, infectious disease, sepsis and most sleep and heart disorders, leaving the suffering at peace and ease. These are stones of inspiration when used in love matters, especially from the emotional turmoil encountered." "Here are the benevolent blessings of Jupiter. It ensures wealth and the blessings of love as well as being a charm of protection. When facing monetary or property losses, prescribing this to be worn for the blessings it brings will remove these difficulties." "This stone has been used extensively by our kind since antiquity, and we attribute numerous properties to it and to its use. It empowers the leader and the healer in making decisions and bestows financial gain on one who wears it. Its healing properties are renown as it heals the mentally, spiritually, and physically afflicted." Real or imagined, we certainly understand why she was as feared and respected as she was. ~!~ The Tourmaline Gems The tourmaline gems used in this ring are of fine cut with vibrant assortment of strong colors displaying some loupe visible inclusions with an abundant flash. She attributes tourmaline as having specific metaphysical and healing properties. Some of her journal entries read, "these act with the utmost speed in dissolving negative energies caused by events of the past. They have proven quite useful in treating those with these energies clouding their mental, physical and spiritual self. I have found them to be very powerful cleansing stones, leaving a state of calm and clarity. This is extremely beneficial to those suffering in relationships who are afraid of being hurt in love matters and in releasing pains from the past. A very soothing and healing crystal." "its energy promotes happiness, serenity and compassion. A channeling stone, it offers a high degree of protection in diminutive sizes. A stimulant to the heart chakra, well suited to love spells." "an embodiment of the Holy Femini (her spelling) that fosters beauty, fidelity, compassion, happiness, family, luck and love." ~!~ But Back to the Ring The ring is marked "925" with no maker's or assay mark, and tests as .925 Sterling Silver Standard. It is a ring size 8, and the ring face measures approximately 1 1/16" x 13/16" x 3/8", and weighs 7.4 grams. It is certainly a nicely aged vintage ring with an extraordinary provenance that is much nicer than the photographs are able to depict. ~*~ We have been contacted and visited by a number of people who were interested in the items from this estate since our first batch was listed. Among the buyers have been known psychics and practitioners. More than one, after adorning themselves or handling their purchase, stated "this is a woman of power!" Many of our customers, after receiving items from this estate have reported dream contacts and other unexplained phenomenon. Unusual, authentic Voodoo Priestess Estate piece and at a bargain price! This is truly a rare opportunity to own anything with attributes to this estate. The majority of this estate is now gone. Most of what we had left, and it was considerable, has been split up and sold to a couple of private, foreign collector practitioners and will never be available to the public again. We made the decision to do this as we have had some pretty strange visits from even stranger individuals and there have been enough unexplained phenomenon going on in the warehouse where her things were kept that many of our employees refused to go in there. The pieces offered and sold here are some of the few remaining pieces that will ever be offered to the public. Nice addition to any collection, wardrobe or decor, displays really well. Really doesn't get any better than this. There are 8 photographs, so please give them time to load, and enjoy the listing. Buyer to pay $5.85 for Insured 1st. Class Mail with USPS Tracking and handling with lagniappe. We Combine Shipping. Rest assured your order will be carefully packed to withstand the onslaught of the most deranged of Postal Workers. International Buyer's, Please email us for a Shipping Quote. Payment is Due at Listing End. Check our other listings and sign up for our newsletter as new items are usually posted daily. 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