Star has been making rosaries since she was 16 years old. She was taught by her grandmother, Pamela Aqui, the first person ever to sell rosaries online during the advent of the internet. She named her business, Heirloom Rosaries, because they are made of quality materials in the best technique they guaranteed to be passed down from one generation to the next as heirlooms. With the knowledge passed down from her grandmother, Star continues to make rosaries and jewelry in the way she was taught. This rosary is made from pure silver argentium wire, the black beads are onyx, and the large carved ones are jade framed by glass and silver beads.
"Aelia Eudocia" was made on the Greek island, Kos. The rosary is made of argentium wire. The sterling silver Our Father beads were handmade by a local jeweler on the island, named George Gregoriadis. The crystal beads were part of a necklace Star discovered in an antique shop in Athens and the purple amethyst beads were also part of a bracelet. Star considered this rosary to be fit for royalty, which is why she named it after an Eastern Roman empress from 400-460 AD. If you want to view the finished prodcut you can view it on the Heirloom Rosaries site.
"Mary Magdalene's Tears" made with argentium silver wire, black pearls and large white freshwater pearls framed by Swarovski crystals and small glass beads.
Star was inspired by Artemisia Gentileschi's painting titled, Mary Magdalene as Melancholy (1622-1625). The subject in this painting wears a fresh water pearl earring. Many painters love to associate pearls and tears. And I did the same in this case with this rosary. It was Mary Magdalene who is known to be depicted to mourn the death of Jesus. She is a multifaceted figure in the Bible and in history. She fascinates me and touches me in many ways.
This rosary is titled, "Saint Francis of Assisi". Made of argenium silver wire, the bright and vivid turquoise stone in combination with the Swarovski crystal needed to be named after someone eccentric. Saint Francis called animals 'Brother' and 'Sister.' He was a gentle and empathetic soul. This rosary is incomplete but available for purchase or available to view on Heirloom Rosaries.
Here are some photos of Star's grandmother, Pamela Aqui, working on a rosary for one of her customers. She once had said that she makes each rosary as if she were making it for Mary, the mother of God herself. This anecdote proves that Mrs. Aqui is not only a perfectionist in her work but she is spiritually devoted. She prays on every rosary she creates for her clients and customers. She is particularly famous for making a rosary for Pope Francis as gift on behalf of President Obama and Vice president Joe Biden. The rosary was made with Koa wood, a native wood grown in Hawaii and silver argenium wire.
Star also enjoys making jewelry like these vintage crystal earrings accented with a cross and this purple tiger's eye and Swarovsky crystal necklace inspired by the design of a rosary. They are both made with argentium silver wire. These two specific pieces of jewelry were worn by the actress Fantine Saint-Martin in The Curtain. This film is linked in the menu.
Still from The Curtain 2025 directed by Star Tsiopou
Both pieces worn by actor, Jordan Bozec, as Professor Claude singing opera in drag from The Curtain.
Silver argentium wire with turquoise and Swarosvky crystal rosary inspired necklace.
Still from The Curtain 2025 directed by Star Tsiopou
This rosary is made with silver argentium wire, turquoise stone, blue lace agate, onyx, green jade our father beads, and blue Swarovsky crystal. Available to view or purchase on Heirloom Rosaries.
Made with green tiger's eye, green jade our father beads and glass seed beads and argentium silver. Available to view or purchase on Heirloom Rosaries
Silver argentium wire with vintage crystal beads, topaz, and one of the handmade leftover beads from the Aelia Eudocia rosary.
This rosary, "Celestial", is made with blue lace agate, onyx, and blue Swarosvsky crystal, silver spacer seed beads, and argentium wire.
This rosary, St. "Thérèse of Lisieux" is made with rose quartz, silver seed beads, and glass spacer beads, and argentium silver.
This rosary is titled, "Heavenly" because of the deep blue of the lapis lazuli and the pale blue crystals makes me think of the heavens and the stars. The bigger "Our Father" beads are made of moonstone and in between are blue/green Swarovsky crystals and small clear glass beads. It sparkles and twinkles very much in the light. and is also made of argentium silver wire.
