Much like the past of the silver jewellery sold at Saswa, it's unsurprising that red coral has its own history. Correction; that should be pre-history. Perhaps it's because it shares the colour of blood, but red coral has had a resonance with people for thousands of years. It was believed that red coral could imbue the wearer with courage, as well as curing a whole host of ailments. Greek legends speak of red coral being droplets of Medusa's blood, and maybe due to its oceanic origins, could suppress a particularly fiery personality.

It's totally understandable that such legends would spring up around such a mysterious resource, apparently growing from the sea itself. In some ways, it almost does. Well, to put it a little more scientifically, colonies of tiny polyps group together to form a calcium carbonate exoskeleton. This exoskeleton becomes coral.

Over the years, coral has become protected, with good reason. Not only has coral been thoughtlessly plundered in the past, but its ability to protect coastlines has also been diminished.

So what are we doing, selling red coral jewellery?

It's a fair question, and one Saswa is keen to address. Since protective orders have been in place, many coral reefs around the world have been replenished. This has allowed coral to be collected by registered, licensed suppliers. The coral is rationed and limited to small amounts without depleting the coral to any great degree. This way, beautiful and authentic red coral jewellery can be brought to you ethically and responsibly. For Saswa, this is not only an important step, but an essential one.

Click to see our Red Coral jewellery

Mexico has been a rich vein of silver for centuries, but regained its spark in the 1920's. Since this time the skills and quality of jewellery production has evolved to include a myriad of different styles and influences. This has helped to create truly individual and breathtaking pieces. Despite the absorption of creative techniques and designs over the years, the jewellery is unmistakably Mexican. Elaborate twists and folds create astounding shapes.

Rediscovering the art of wax casting, many jewellery makers in Mexico have been able produce finely detailed and exquisite silver pieces. A wax model of a piece is designed with all details and intricacies carved into the wax. The piece is then enclosed into a plaster mold ensuring that channels, or sprues, lead out of the mold. A main channel is also made to pour the silver into.

The molten silver is then poured into the mold, the wax melts away, and the silver fills the space left by the wax model. The mould is opened, the strands of sprue are cut away, and you have a perfect replica of the original sculpted piece. Think about those Airfix model kits and how the pieces are in plastic frames; it's pretty much the same principle.