Magatama Necklace — Choose Your Stone, Japanese Charm

A magatama necklace, the comma-shaped bead central to one of Japan's oldest jewellery traditions, available carved from your choice of lapis lazuli, tiger's eye, carnelian, clear quartz, black onyx, white howlite, howlite turquoise, rose quartz, or fluorite, on either a chain or a leather cord.

How old is the magatama shape, genuinely? Considerably older than most assume. Archaeological finds trace the curved bead form back to the Jomon period, roughly 14,000 to 300 BCE, through the Kofun period into the 6th century CE, a span of well over two thousand years before it settled into the ceremonial form Japan recognises today. It remains one of the Three Sacred Treasures of the Japanese imperial regalia, alongside the sword and the mirror, and is still used as a symbol of good fortune and protection.

A closer look

Each stone carries its own traditional association layered on top of the magatama's older symbolism: lapis lazuli for wisdom, carnelian for vitality, clear quartz for amplified clarity, black onyx for grounding, rose quartz for love, and fluorite for focus. Whichever stone you choose, the curved silhouette itself has stayed largely unchanged across millennia.

• Stone options: Lapis lazuli, carnelian, clear quartz, black onyx, white howlite, howlite turquoise, rose quartz, fluorite
• Form: Traditional magatama, comma shaped
• Necklace style: Chain or leather cord, your choice

Wearing your magatama

Most stones here sit between 3 and 7 on the Mohs scale, so a rinse and a soft cloth is generally enough care, though softer stones like howlite are worth handling a little more gently. Let us know your chain or cord preference when ordering.

Please note: crystals are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Keep small pieces away from young children.