In the early eighth century, Arabs and Berbers invaded the Iberian peninsula and occupied the territory. It took almost 800 years for Christians to reconquest the land. In about the middle of that period, in the year 1231 (or 1232 by some accounts), a miracle occurred in the southeastern Spanish town of Caravaca de la Cruz. The town is set among the rugged sierras of Murcia, which at that time was still a Moorish kingdom under Zeyt-Abuzeyt. Being several generations away from the initial invaders, he was from a line of well-established monarchs and one of his duties was to protect the region from invasion by the Christians. The Christian Reconquesta took various forms; from fighting to gradual infiltration through missionaries (pretty much the same as today).

One such Christian missionary was Don Gínes Pérez Chirinos de Cuenca. He was captured and taken before the Muslim king who was curious about certain aspects of the Christian faith. In particular, he was interested in the Christian celebration of the Last Supper and asked the missionary to demonstrate the procedure. One can imagine the priest would be reluctant to do this – in those days only believers were present during the sacrament. Nevertheless, he agreed and the king arranged for the necessary apparatus: an altar draped with a pall cloth, bread and wine and some candles. One important element, however, was missing: the cross.

The missionary explained that the presence of a cross was critical to the Eucharist and he could not continue without one. “So what is that?” protested the king (but in Iberian, of course), pointing to something at the window. From the heavens, two angels appeared carrying a cross, which they placed on the altar and then disappeared.

The priest continued with the Mass.

In the Roman Catholic church, when the bread and wine are consecrated during Mass, they cease to be bread and wine, and become instead the body and blood of Christ. The empirical appearances are not changed, but the reality is. When the missionary reached the consecration stage, the king saw a beautiful baby instead of the bread (Host). The king was so taken aback by this miraculous image that he, and his family, converted to Christianity and asked to be baptized into the Christian faith. Many believe that the cross delivered by the angels included a piece of the True Cross.

The miracles didn’t stop there.

Eventually, the town passed to the Knoights Templar who, in the 15th century, built the castle that still dominates the town today. At one time, the Knights Templar and townsfolk were under siege by the Muslim army and tool refuge in the castle. It wasn’t long before the water stored in the castle became unpotable and several of the refugees became ill. Scouts crept out of the castle at night to look for water but found the neighbouring wells had been poisoned. In desperation, the scouts raced out of the castle on horses to find a safe source of water. They found some wine, loaded the wineskins on their horses and raced back to the castle.

The wine was blessed in the presence the Caravaca Cross and served to those who had been debilitated by the bad water. They recovered immediately and the blessed wine was mixed with the toxic water in the storage tanks. The water became fresh and as a result, the Christians were able to resist the enemy.

Today, an annual fiesta is held in the town to remember those events, which includes a ceremony to bless the irrigation water used by Caravaca farmers.

Because of these miracles and the relic of the True Cross, in 1998 Caravaca de la Cruz became the fifth holy town (along with Santiago de Compostela Santo Toribio de Liébana, Rome and Jerusalem) celebrating the Perpetual Jubilee in the Vera Cruz Sanctuary (Sanctuario de la Vera Cruz) where the Caravaca Cross is kept.

Centuries later, after Christopher Columbus set sail on his voyage of discovery (1492) Franciscan monks travelled to the Americas, taking copies of the Caravaca cross with them. The design is still commonly seen in Central and South American churches and monasteries. Houses and business premises also have copies pinned to the wall, like lucky charms, and may be surrounded by a lucky horseshoe.

Handmade Vintage  Reproduction of the original Caravaca Cross available in Pure Silver 999 and 14k Gold.

Bibliography: Seiyaku.com

Find our spectacular 999 hand carved silver ring from the Villa Carlotta Collection in pages 110 & 114 on what’s  IN for Christmas 2009!

Hot, Hottest trends for 2010?  Different than what’s seen in past years, as the economy is changing consumer’s attitude  as well as financial position of the jewelry industry.  Ouch!

We have attended several shows around the world this year and the common denominator for most of all coming jewelry pieces continues to be big and bold.  Very dramatic multi strand necklaces of faceted silver beads, gemstones, big stones, natural stones and do not leave behind the Swarovski crystal.

Oversized Cuff bracelets including natural big stones will be the hot pick when dressing Rock!  Do not get shy, Huge RINGS will continue to be the it thing.

World Go Round Hoops…Big hoops…Chandelier earrings as well emulating Indian exotic-inspired look adding more gemstones like black diamonds, topaz, garnet, and other natural stones.

Flowers, Flowers are seen everywhere, feathers motifs, bronze leafs and although it does not sound completely right yes Coral is doing a comeback and some yellow citrine gemstones as well

Smoky Quartz, simulated chocolate/champagne diamonds along with black will be a hit and adding some gold color?

Are you ready?

A perfect selection for vacationing at sea with a variety of outfits, dresses and pants for her flirtatious and “look” casual with soft silhouettes for.
From left to right model pedal pusher jumpsuit by Cynthia Stella, Vinelli Faceted Onyx Bracelets, Necklace by Sarah Graham of Reinhold, MARINI purse from Vero Vero. Right, white cotton shirt and black “pedal pusher” pants by Nono Maldonado and Cartier watch

Adamaris Lopez wears VINELLI it’s Celebrity style!  Vinelli has some attractive jewelry pieces in the industry. This VINELLI Ring that Adamaris Lopez  is wearing is inspired in the lotus seed in shining 999 silver giving a touch of mystery and luxury. VINELLI Lotus Collection adds a touch of elegance for the stylish clientele.

For more Vinelli Lotus Collection, shop online at www.vinelliemporio.com or just visit one of our two locations in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

After all it seem’s everyone is doing it so why not us VINELLI.  Seriously, what we are doing is to give customers interested in fine jewelry the view on what’s going on in the jewelry business these days with the VINELLI brand, your brand! We’ll be touching on existing and new collections, current events, day to day stuff, who’s wearing what and the people who make our operation shine.  We are welcoming all our VINELLI customers, fans, associates, friends and family,  to stay connected and join in so they can speak their minds.  We will gain your insight which is really important to us and guess what? while doing it we will have FUN!  So here’s to our first VINELLI Blog entry.  Salud!