Our Maile

Earrings

Maile Leaf

MAILE LEAF & GEMSTONE EARRINGS

Designed with gemstones and leaves made of ultra-lightweight filigree brass (which has been treated to maintain the original luster). The earring wires are hypo-allergenic surgical stainless steel. Length of earring (including earwires) is approximately 4” long, just the right length for today’s fashion styles. You’ll feel like you are in a Hawaiian tropical breeze as they move with you.

Available in nine gemstones: Amethyst, Carnelian, Coral, Jade (3 hand-carved styles), Lapis Lazuli, Moonstone, and Turquoise. Earrings come mounted on a card which tells the Maile Leaf story, the healing properties of each gemstone plus care of the earrings

Maile leaves grow on a vine found only in Hawaii. Used by early Hawaiians, a lei was created and given to another person to honor or decorate that person or as a sign of affection. They were also given as a greeting or a farewell. The leaves are said to represent Love, Honor, and Respect. A symbol of courtship and love, Maile leis are still often worn in wedding ceremonies in Hawaii. Strings of Maile are currently used in official openings of buildings and other sites such as new or rebuilt roads…much like a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Historically, maile was a peace emblem in times of battle as well a symbol of courtship and love. Sweetly perfumed, maile is believed to have the power to heal. It was used to scent kapa cloth, or lau hala sleeping mats. The plant also was part of a medicinal treatment exclusively for chiefs; used in a puholoholo (steam bath) to sweat out an illness called kilikilioe.