When you think of ceramic, what comes to mind?
"It must be heavy."
"Doesn’t it chip easily?"
"Will the color fade over time?"
We hear these questions all the time. For our handcrafted ceramic jewelry, the answer is a clear no. Here’s why.
More Than Just Tiles and Vases
Ceramic has been used for centuries—from ancient Mayan sculptures to modern-day home décor. But did you know it’s also the secret behind our one-of-a-kind jewelry?
Our beads are crafted from a unique, 100% naturally occurring clay mineral called kaolinite (or caolin)—the only type suitable for our handmade process. Each bead is shaped using a custom handheld tool invented by Don Jaime himself, then air-dried for at least 7 days before being fired in a ceramic kiln.
Every step happens in our workshop, right in the heart of Antigua.
Our Materials: A Fusion of Heritage and Artistry
At Los Colores de la Tierra, our designs are built on three core materials: traditional Guatemalan textiles, local jade, and our signature, handmade ceramic beads and sculptures.
Each ceramic piece—whether bead or sculpture—is crafted by hand. These aren't mass-produced pieces; they’re small works of art infused with story and skill.
Our Signature Beads: Handmade and Heirloom-Quality
Our ceramic beads come in a variety of shapes and sizes—each one dyed in earth-inspired colors. The making process has been refined over the years by our founder, Jaime Vargas. Inspired by the traditional method of Colombian indigenous artisans making cylinder-shaped beads from clay, he created a scalable, handmade process in collaboration with his father and local artisans in Guatemala.
We're sharing glimpses of the process here, but since it's a secret family recipe, we can't reveal too much or show many behind-the-scenes details.
What we can share is how we use our signature, ceramic beads. We use them in many ways:
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Beaded crochet framing vintage textiles
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Decorative enclosures for necklaces
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Single-line ceramic bracelets
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Fringes for earrings and wearable art
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Embroidered patches on leather/fabric for necklaces and bracelets.
- And so much more...
Yes, They're Ceramic. But No, They're Not Heavy.
One of the most common surprises from customers? How lightweight our jewelry feels.
Thanks to years of innovation, Jaime has developed a method that keeps the ceramic sturdy yet wearable. It won’t weigh you down—but it will remind you that you're wearing something real, something grounded in Earth.
“Surprisingly lightweight!”
Color That Doesn’t Fade
We dye our beads in rich hues that reflect the landscapes and cultures of Latin America. From deep terracotta reds to lush greens and ocean blues, these colors are made to last.
To keep the colors vibrant, we don’t recommend showering or fully submerging our jewelry. A few splashes are totally fine.
Sculptures That Tell a Story
Some of our larger ceramic elements are often combined with textiles and paired with jade. These statement pieces reflect the harmony of old-world techniques and modern, original designs.
Behind the Scenes
Before the pandemic, our artisan Santos would craft ceramic beads daily in our Antigua studio. Though production slowed during COVID, our bead stock still holds the heart and soul of countless hours of work.
We are training a young guy, Lionel, in making the beads, and he is progressing every day but this technique requires a lot of patience and precision. Especially the small beads will take time to perfect.
But that's the beauty of handmade; the imperfect perfection.
Want to See More?
Our jewelry isn’t just beautiful—it’s a collaboration between culture, craft, and sustainability. Each piece carries the touch of the artisan who made it, and we’re proud to share that story with you.
If you have any questions about our process, materials, or custom orders, we’re just a message away.
“Handmade with love in Guatemala.”
Gracias for joining us,
The Los Colores family & artisans