An Eye for an Eye: The Symbolism of the Evil Eye and Why We Love It!
Please tune in for my Today’s Special at midnight on October 10th and for the launch of Accessorize Your Life with Carol Brodie on October 12th from 10pm – Midnight
It all started in Mykonos, Greece in 2008. Evil eyes were everywhere… as far as the eye can see… around people’s necks, wrists, fingers; they were hanging from doors, painted on planes and pinned to baby carriages. From thousands of dollars in fine jewelry boutiques to just a few dollars on the street, you can’t go to Greece or Turkey without bringing home an evil eye talisman. My suitcase was filled with them as gifts for everyone back home – evil eyes to hang on the door; to pin to a baby’s stroller; bracelets galore and many more. It took me two weeks to find the perfect eye for me… so many looked the same and I wanted a precious, sparkling, rare jewel. I searched every jewelry store from Mykonos to Athens until l discovered a flawless design. After lots of consideration and bargaining, I purchased my evil eye diamond necklace and immediately asked the jeweler if I could recreate his design for my jewelry line. “Absolutely”, he said, “as long as you explain to everyone the true meaning of the evil eye.” You will want to read this if you are considering purchasing an evil eye… I have many styles to choose from this month.
The Meaning of the Evil Eye Talisman: It is believed an evil eye talisman wards off jealousy, negative thoughts and harm. Throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East, many people believe envious gazes or high praise from others can bring you bad luck. The people who praise you probably mean you no harm, but still, evil spirits can piggyback on their words or looks, and put a bad luck curse on you. The symbol of the eye is regarded as a potent amulet for protection against evil forces, ill will and jealousy in almost every culture of the world including Jewish, Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist and Christian. In Turkey, it is said, “an eye for an eye”.
The colors of the eye mean different things in different cultures: The most popular evil eye charm color is blue. Turkey is in a dry part of the world, where water is precious — with water things prosper and grow, and without it, things shrivel and die. The color blue reminds people of fresh, cool water. In the Jewish faith, the color red is often associated with luck and good fortune, so red is also a popular color. And we also see the eye in green, which represents success and happiness. In Amethyst, the eye symbolizes intelligence.
Hollywood celebrities, Rarities girls and just about everyone I know collect their evil eyes and wear and display them confidently! An eye is as chic as it is potent! I can’t tell you how many times I have been in a compromising situation and I touch my eye and think to myself… do your thing! Do you have a story about your evil eye? Please post it on https://www.facebook.com/CarolBrodieHSN and join the conversation. I can’t wait to share all of my newest designs with you. Thank you for all of your love!
xoxo,
Carol
I love wearing my Evil Eye Ring in Tsavorite, the color of my eyes!
Hi Carol,
I love your jewelry, but I must complain about your page on the new formatted HSN. Why can’t there be a link to pull up all of your jewelry without having to just pick on a type. In most cases, I prefer to peruse all items, just in case I overlooked an item on another occasion. Is that too much to ask. Unfortunately, it feels as though this website is turning into “QVC” and that is too bad, because QVC also has this issue, which is one of the reasons I hate to shop that website.
Thanks for listening.
Hi Carol! Purchased the “Orange Agate and Carnelian Pendant with 18-3/4″ Chain”. Would love to purchase a layering necklace or pair of earrings to wear with it. What would you suggest from your line. I wear it casually with a yellow sweater in the winter but .. plan to wear it with white tees in the summer. Love the piece and have received multiple complements when I wear it.
You can wear orange with everything! If your budget allows, I love the champagne and white diamond sterling silver earrings (item#182-831). They are my go to for everything! If you are looking for a different sensibility, these citrine chandelier earrings (item#180-057) are another great choice. Let me know what you decide! I will see you on February 25th for my TS! xo
Hi Carol
I purchased the evil eye charm ring a while ago and i was touched from the story that you told about how u had your charm ring when you were a child. I also had one when i was a young girl and lost it so when i saw your evil eye one i was thrilled and it is pretty and I also wanted to pass it down to my girls, I wear all day and today i lost the eye charm. I cried for hours looking for it. Is their any way for me to buy just the evil eye charm for the ring?
I am so upset :( xoxo
I am so sorry to hear that your charm fell off. Unfortunately, unless you purchased HSN’s insurance plan, I can’t help from my end as HSN services all of their clients and the vendors can’t get involved. They may be able to do something. If it is any consolation, losing the evil eye is a sign that it protected you from something! Sending you good luck and love! Please join me on February 25th for my TS! xo
Carol – I love your “hamsa and evil eye” jewelry but I am a YELLOW gold person. Is there any way you can make some jewelry (necklaces or rings) in the colors that you currently show in sterling but in a heavy-duty vermeil so that the yellow gold color lasts? Thanks!
I would love to see a station necklace with evileye and hamsa hands as the stations in both colors. what a wonderful layering piece that would be
Thank you for this wonderful suggestion! I have been working with my manufacturers on designing something very similar to what you are describing. You will definitely be seeing this in an upcoming show. Stay sparkling! xo
I get what you are saying about yellow gold!!! Did you see the evil eye gold ring, bracelet and necklace (item#’s 215-694, 215-621,180-129,180-135)? See you on the 25th of this month for my amazing diamond and Sleeping Beauty Turquoise TS! xo
I get what you are saying about yellow gold!!! Did you see the evil eye gold ring, bracelet and necklace (item#’s 215-694, 215-621,180-129,180-135)? See you on the 25th of this month for my amazing diamond and Sleeping Beauty Turquoise TS! xo
Carol,
One last question: Will you consider bringing more eternity bands….maybe in white/champagne and/or yellow diamonds? Also, have you ever considered bringing them in emeralds and/or ruby?
Thx!
Emeralds are very fragile gemstones, but good call on the ruby bands. Let me see what I can do!
Carol,
Can you please make more of the eternity bangles such as the ones you made in sapphire and ruby? The ones online that are sold as a set of three for $279 constantly show as “sold out” but yet they continue to appear online. The way that stacking bangles are in style at present, I would really like to see more eternity bangles in different stones.
Thx!
Hi there,
Yes, I also love a stack of bangles. I will have them back in a few months. Thanks for asking… they are so cool. Happy Holidays!! I will see you on Dec. 15th and 19th for amazing new Rarities gifts and holiday specials. xo
Hi Carol! Looking forward to your visit next week. I just saw the 18k rose gold black onyx diamond flower ring…OMG…I would love to have that but a bit steep…worth it though! Please make one in rose vermeil with white topaz or zircon so more of us can afford it please;-)Thank you for bringing beautiful jewelry to HSN.
Love your jewelry and wishing you and yours a wonderful Holiday!
I am working on them now… thanks for the great suggestion! xx
CAROL PLEASE MAKE THE EVIL YOU USE FOR YOUR ACCESORIZE COLLECTION AS AN ENHANCER PENDANT IN VERMEIL THE SAME SIZE YOU PUT IN THE WRISLET WITH NICE BACK FINISHING IN DIAMONDS INSTEAD OF WHITE TOPAZ AND SEMIPRECIOUS STONES IN DIFFERENT COLORS WITH DIFERENT CHAIN, PLEASE CREATE YOUR OWN SIGNATURE CHAIN, BECAUSE EVERYBODY COMPLAINTS ALWAYS ABOUT YOUR CHAIN. IF YOU MAKE THIS EVIL EYE PENDANT IT WILL BE A GREAT SELLER. LOVE YOUR JEWERLY BUT SOMETIMES IS TOO PRICEY FOR THE QUALITY.
I love your Rarities Jewelry. But I was wondering if you could make a less expensive evil eye bracelet.
I noticed you had a black beaded bracelet. with a turq. stone on it. Couldn’t you come up with a similar bracelet but only with a bead with an evil eye on it. It would be a stretch bracelet,and you could do a 7 and 8 size. I think doing in black, with the different color evil eyes, like you have now, would be great. Or just with one of the colors you have now.
Thank you.
chicken995
Amelia
Carol–I got the new and improved spinel bangle bracelet and it is perfection!!! I was one of the reviewers that wrote I had to return the original bracelet due to the clasp. Thank you so much for reading our reviews and for listening to us. This bracelet is everything I hoped for and matches the spinel glitter ball ring I ordered from Rarities several months ago. You have one very pleased customer!!!
When you are happy, I am happy!!
I am working on developing a new clasp for all of my line bracelets and bangles. I have so many factories, that it is tough to get them all on board, but it is one of my goals for 2013.
Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving and I will see you on Dec. 15th and 19th. xo
Hi Carol. I look daily to see if your wonderful watch that is gold tone and diamonds is for sell yet. You mentioned you were going to try your hardest for the holidays. I have been saving my money and can’t wait to buy it. Do you think it may be here for the Holidays? :).
that is my question exactly. i check daily as well and the november calendar does not show any Carol Brody shows.
I saw in one of the paper calenders I got in one of my packages she is to have a show on Nov 10th.
Thank you! I hope her newest watch is featured!
I have the most exciting new gold watch in my Dec. 19th show. It is inspired by the most gorgeous timepiece that I have coveted for years. The gold and diamond one that you are referring to will be here in June. Just wait until you see the one for Christmas.
Wishing you the most wonderful Thanksgiving and I look forward to seeing you on HSN on Dec. 15th and 19th. xo
Thanks Carol. WooHoo. I can’t wait for both gold watches!
:).
I enjoy your shows and have become a fan. Looking forward to the December shows and the newest watches December and June! Thank you! I have quite a few of your pieces now both in jewelry and watches, love them all!
I finally saw your newest watch loaded into the system on line. It looks beautiful and I already ordered it.
I just received your new watch today and it’s gorgeous! The mother of pearl is the most beautiful I have ever seen on a watch face, glorious orient with rainbow flashes! I also love that the face is clean with only an adorable tiny evil eye on it. Perfect, allows the lovely mother of pearl to be the showcase. On the bezel are sparkling diamonds surrounding the case, the bracelet is unique, high polished, braided, this watch is substantial, has weight and presence nottoo large,a timeless classic.
Carol, I love the Crown Springs ring and pendent and would love to have earrings to match. Hope you can bring us some!
Thanks
Hi Carol, I’m LOVING the new pieces coming in! I really want that large evil eye cuff but I need flex pay. Please let the people at HSN know how important it is, especially this time of year. I just received the large hamsa and black spinel necklace… IT IS SICK! I cannot believe how gorgeous it is in person. WOW! I’m still waiting and hoping you make us an OM…I love the symbolism of it and I know if you make one it will be incredible. Thank you and love you! xoxoxo Melissa
Hi again, Carol,
You have added many more beautiful pieces to your collection, many of which I would love to own but can’t b/c HSN has given us only two flex payments and even then, it has to be w/their HSN card, which I don’t have. This close to the holidays I should think they would ease up and allow us more flexibility, not less. I will not get an HSN card for that very reason. However, if HSN decides to allow us more flex payments, I’ll be back on board.
Blessings,
M
Hi Carol! I love your pieces, especially the ones featuring black spinel (I have bangles, rings, the feather earrings, I can go on but I will stop here). Any chance a black spinel cross will be coming out?? xoxox
Hi Carol,
You are my favorite evil eye designer some jewelry I do like , some I don’t but you are my favorite. I am evil eye collector .I need evil eye ring not small , not biggggg, but something noticeble ..in black spinel , blue topaz.I wear evil every day , I dont leave my house without my evil eye!
CAROL,
SINCE I FOUND YOU ON HSN,I DON’T WANT TO SHOP FOR ANY OTHER JEWELRY..
YOUR EXQUISITE DESIGNS, “EYE” FOR DETAIL, AND GREAT PRICES KEEP ME COMING BACK FOR MORE…
PLEASE KEEP PRESENTING THOSE “EVIL EYE” NECKLACES AND BRACELETS..
AND MORE “SHAMBALLA BRACELETS,AS WELL.
TO THE “QUEEN OF DIAMONDS”
THANK YOU FOR MAKING ME FEEL LIKE A “PRINCESS”!!
I had the best time this weekend watching all of your shows! The new accessories were awesome. I recieved the lavender jeweled pillow today and it os gourgeous. I am really excited for you!
I did go back for the Pewter Jeweled pillow & it is beautiful too.
Hi Carol–
I am very excited to have purchased your ethiopian black opal earrings. On the website, it says they are color-enhanced. Can you describe how this is done? They are very beautiful.
Carol-please do a black spinel ‘cancer ribbon’ for melanoma survivors like us!!
Carol, I have so many of your evil eye pieces that I’ve lost count. I just now purchased the key ring and sun glasses. I wear prescription sun glasses so I’ll take them to my eye dr. and have prescription lenses put in. I truly love your jewelry. Your jewelry is fabulous and I have more pieces of yours than any other designer. You have quite an eye for the unique and unusual and if we were neighbors, I’d be broke, girlfriend.
Blessings,
M
I have been looking for a green (happiness) evil eye necklace since last year. I just bought yours. It has special meaning to me, because last year I was told that I most likely had a melanoma in my eye. After following with specialists who had to determine whether there were changes in the nevus, warranting eye removal, a prayer circle started. It was a long wait for me, but prayers were answered yes & I didn’t lose my eye. I feel your angst & joy re:melanoma. I will wear your art always. Love.
Love you Carol! Love Rarities! I just wanted to mention that when I was a baby my mother and grandmother pinned an eye bead on to my diaper. I still have it somewhere attached to the diaper pin. The bead was all turquoise blue color, almond shaped like an eye. My ancestors were from the middle east; Iran, Armenia, Assyria. I really enjoyed your last years HSN Cares ornament – in which you did an evil eye! Can’t wait for all your new products! Please keep up the great work – never leave HSN!
Hi Honey,
How are you doing? I asked and the cuff will go on flex pay before my Dec. 15th show. Please be patient… I want you to have that one. Wanted to wish you and your family a most beautiful Thanksgiving and also to thank you for your friendship and love. xo