Sophie Blake NY will be debuting the Maya Coba collection and is excited to share with you a sneak peak of our mood board and inspirations.

Annette Funicello GIF

Where is Maya Coba?

Our newest collection is inspired by Coba a sacred site of Mayan ruins in Mexico. Coba is estimated to be over 2,000 years old and archaeologists estimate 80% of it remains to be excavated. The Coba ruins have several pyramids, the most impressive of which– Ixmoja– is the tallest in the Yucatan Peninsula at 138 feet!

The Rich Tradition of Mexican Jewelry

Historically, Mexican jewelry dates back thousands of years during the Mayan empire. The earliest artisans primitively fashioned jewelry from rocks, animals, bones, and teeth. Gold, jade, turquoise and silver were all used by Mayan artists. The Mayans believed that jewelry wasn’t just meant to be beautiful, it also signified a wearer’s social status or to beautify the body with adornment. As the civilization progressed, stunning jewelry designs began to emerge.

Modern Mexican jewelry was impacted by Spanish conquistadors that reached Mexico in the 16th century. During this time, European and Spanish influences made its way into Mexican jewelry. The Spanish brought new techniques to Mexico in metalworking that taught the Mayans to "encrust" jewelry with small gemstones. European influence also popularized the use of silver. Intricately designed earrings were very popular in Europe at the time and became a trademark of Mexican jewelry that continues to present day.

Common Mexican Jewelry Motifs

Nature – Mexican artists are often influenced by their countries natural beauty. Mexican jewelry has always drawn inspiration from the nature's living things. Flowers, snakes, birds, and insects are all commonly represented in Mexican gemstone jewelry.

Religion – Mexican artists from the early Mayan civilizations through today, have used jewelry to represent and celebrate their religions. Aztec jewelry makers used turquoise and other gemstones to honor their gods. "Xiuhtecuhtli was the Aztec god of fire and the name roughly translates to “Turquoise Lord!” Aztec artists made turquoise masks, statues, and mosaics in his honor".

Cultural Movements – Modern Mexican jewelry pieces reflected art movements like Surrealism and Cubism. The paintings, metal work, artwork, and style of modern artists like Frida Kahlo, William Spratling and Ignacio Gomez influenced artisans and jewelry makers throughout Mexico.

(MEXICAN IMAGES FROM FRIDA TO IGNACIO WILLIAM COLLAGE 6 GRIDS CUBIST MEXICAN STYLE JEWELRY OR FURNITURE ETC)

Coba Inspiration!

Maya Coba collection is inspired by the juxtaposition of organic materials with contemporary artwork and rustic traditionalism. All the designs stay true to the modernity of muted tones, the azure waters of the sea, and aesthetic that always embraces minimalism and the beauty of nature.

Stay tuned as we share the Five Key Colors of our Maya Coba collection and the mood board inspirations!

Get Into The Maya Coba Mood!

Sophie Blake NY's Maya Coba collection is inspired by.....

Azure (Turquoise)

Mexican turquoise jewelry began over 2,000 years ago with native tribes using turquoise in their jewelry to craft beads that could be traded as currency and to create beautiful jewelry. Pre-Columbian artists commonly used Turquoise to create incredible mosaics!

The Jewel of the Sea (Pearl)

In the 17th century, Pearl was traded in Mexico from the orient and began appearing in silver jewelry The soft material of pearl makes for easy use by artisans in Mexico to curate various types jewelry pieces.

At Midnight (Onyx)

Black Onyx has a rich history dating back to Ancient Egyptians who used onyx to make jewelry and pottery. Ancient Greeks and Romans used pieces of onyx as part of their healing therapies. In the Victorian era, Onyx was a popular jewelry to be worn in mourning usually set in a carved cameo. In the 1920's black onyx provided a brillant contrast in the beautiful silver settings of Art Deco jewelry. Onyx takes its name from the Greek word "onux", which means fingernail; this could be due to a Greek legend, in which Eros mischievously cut the fingernails of Aphrodite with an arrowhead whilst she slept, and the gods turned the clippings into stone.

Found in just a few places around the world, black onyx is the rarest color of onyx. Mexico, is one main place Onyx can be found and is mined in Puebla, Oaxaca and Chihuahua. Black Onyx has always been popular with jewelers because it is a stone that is very malleable; easy to cut and shape and is also sturdy enough to make jewelry that endures the test of time. Onyx is said to have many mystical and healing properties. It’s believed to bring good luck, happiness, and wealth to anyone wearing it.

Onyx is beautiful by itself and stunning alongside diamonds and other colored gemstones, such as in the Van Cleef & Arpels "Manhattan Flowers"; earrings made from moonstone, onyx and diamond that were worn by Adele at the 2012 Brit Awards.. Caption

Earth Bound (Terra Cotta)

The Mexican culture's pottery tradition is probably one of the oldest (if not the oldest) traditions that connects the ancient pre-Hispanic Mesoamerican cultures and civilizations with the post-Columbian Mesoamerican civilizations and present day Mexico. Potters still used local clay that they purify by the ancient methods.

La Plata (Sterling Silver)

The people who lived in the area now known as Taxco were using silver long before the Spanish arrived in the Americas. They mined silver and used it to make gifts for Aztec gods and for other ceremonial purposes. The Aztecs used silver for jewelry too, and Aztec jewelers were incredible craftsmen.

Sophie Blake NY Maya Coba Collection Sneak Peek

Journal Issue N*?

7 Ways To Make the Maya Coba Collection A Summer Style Staple!

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7 Ways The Maya Coba Collection can bring style transformation to your summer personality!

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**7 Ways to Style the Mayakoba Collection for Every Summer Personality**

Sophie Blake NY is debuting the Maya Coba collection just in time to give you summer vibes!

1. Travel Style OR The Traveler

The Mayan Culture is known for their the eclectic design and décor which has long lured travlors to the Yucatan Peninsula. Let Sophie Blake Jewelry be your best traveling companion!

2. Summer Street Style OR The Street Style Star

In the past decade, stylish jet setters have retreated from fast paced metro areas like New York and L.A. to the laid-back Yucatan haven of Maya Coba --- but not without bringing a little modern style to the jungle.

3. Resort Style OR The Resort Fashionista

Nearby Maya Coba just two hours southwest are the all-inclusive resorts of Cancun and jam-packed beach strips. The refined and decorative style of resort jewelry is ultimate necessity for a luxurious getaway.

4. City Style OR Weekend Style OR The Weekender

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Boho Style OR Boho Chic OR The Bohemian

The decorative style of the Maya Coba collection makes it the ultimate bohemian piece in your style arsenal. nspiration from Coba's use of neutral hues with pops of color; bring a little of the casual beach lifestyle and electectic look into your wardrobe. Try the Mara Cuff or Danielle Drop Earrings for contemporary edge to Boho Chic!

5. Poolside Style OR The Beach Bunny

The Maya Coba look focuses on the natural surroundings of jungle and sea with effortless minimalism. Beach or pool this bracelet will be keeping your style oh so cool in the heat!

6. Brunch Style OR Brunch Chic OR The Brunch Babe

Coba restaurant decor celebrates the connection between nature and interior design with open-air market spaces, beach shops, driftwood fixtures and vibrant Sayulita chairs. Show off your Sophie Blake ring as you sip your guava mimosa!

7. Night Out Style OR Hot Summer Night Doll OR The Nightime Senorita OR The Evening Senorita

Vintage chandeliers hung from trees, light fixtures shaped like bird nests and tiny tea candles lit up throughout the grounds to make Maya Coba its own enchanted forest. Wear these Sophie Blake earrings to bring the sexy summer heat to any evening look!