Barbara Bixby Keys of Life

Barbara Bixby draws her inspiration from many sources. Her extensive travels have given her deep understanding of many different cultures and Asian and European influences are apparent in her designs. These designs, executed in 18K gold or in a combination of sterling silver and 18K gold, are intricately carved with motifs such as the lotus leaf, zigzag, scrolls, and beading. One of her most popular themes is the vine and leaf, which is executed in a variety of materials. In fact, her own wedding band employs this theme, with golden vines interspersed with diamond pave leaves.

In addition to the Keys of Life, which are widely sought after, Bixby has a number of collections based around specific themes. The concept of storytelling is central to her collections, and she makes pieces that can be interchanged and recombined. This allows customers to gather pieces that have specific meanings and to wear them in a way that tells personal stories. Elements like skulls, daggers, garden locks, flowers, and crosses carry special meanings individually. When combined, they become very personal expressions. For example, daggers signify strength; keys, wisdom; hearts, love; skulls, eternity and the unknown. (This is somewhat of a simplification; her symbols have multi-layered meanings that are affected also by the gems with which they are set and which have their own significance.)

Her signature symbol is a 4-petalled lotus flower, and this element is found in a majority of her pieces. In fact, one of her special touches is placement of a 3-dimensional lotus flower on the underside of most of her ring bands. This is like a little bond between Barbara and her collectors: only the wearer is really aware of its presence. It's a little secret "extra" that adds the finishing touch to designs that already are marvels of detail. Gardening is one of Barbara's passions, so it is not surprising that images of nature are major design elements and influences.

Barbara Bixby has a deeply spiritual nature, and spiritual symbols like oms, buddhas, Italian horns, incense burners (which she collects) can all be found in her jewelry. For her collectors, Barbara's designs are more thanexquisite jewelry. They are personal expressions, deeply symbolic, and deeply meaningful to wearers. Perhaps this explains why her customers are so passionately devoted to her work.

(Photo: Bixby Designs)

Combined in this key with its double phoenixes are peridot, iolite, and citrine. Peridot, which is the August birthstone, brings inspiration and helps one attain one's inner visions. It's also considered a balance stone which links intellect and emotions. The blue-violet iolite stimulates intuition and serves as an amplifier to help its wearer reach full potential. Citrine's role is to stimulate and clarify mental activity. It is also used to repel negative energy.

Together, these three gems stimulate creativity, vision, and intuition to allow their wearer to clarify and achieve goals.

Combined in the Key of Success are black pearl, rhodolite garnet, and citrine. Garnet, as a motivator and energizer, takes the primary position on this key. Citrine amplifies and illuminates, so enhances the effect of the garnet. Finally, pearl stabilizes the emotions and stimulates expansiveness and independence. Together, these gem meanings blend to create the elements necessary for personal success.

The Tree of Life is believed to link heaven and earth. On this key, the golden leaves on their silver vine symbolize the Tree of Life and humanity's striving toward heaven and heaven's ideals.

For me, this key has another meaning as well. My family gave it to me to commemorate the first anniversary of my kidney transplant -- and it will always remind me of the renewal of life that was made possible by the kindness of complete strangers. Donate Life. If you have not yet elected to be an organ donor, I encourage you to consider it. I urge you to do it.

Unlike the majority of the keys in this collection, the Peacock Key depends on shape rather than gems for its primary significance. Traditionally, peacocks have been considered royal birds, whose feathers often have served as accents to royal dress. According to Barbara Bixby, the fan-shaped tail is a symbol of the sun. "The circular part represents the vault of heaven and the eyes symbolize the stars." Some have called the eyes the "eye of the heart." Buddhists believe it represents the wheel of life. This key comes in citrine, rhodolite garnet, amethyst, and london blue topaz. Each gem represents a different constellation of characteristics.

In Asia, silver is linked to the moon and gold is associated with the sun. Together, they represent the symbiosis of yin and yang -- female (silver) and male (gold). Clouds are believed by some to be the result of yin and yang combining. Diamonds clarify and enhance the path to enlightenment.

Pink tourmaline, which is the focal gem of this key, balances the heart and opens it to expression of love. It also promotes forgiveness. A critical characteristic of this gem is that it also promotes self-love which is necessary before one can love someone else. In conjunction with pink tourmaline, diamonds are used in this key. Diamonds are, the words of Barbara Bixby, "an all-aura stone ... that brings courage, peace, fidelity, and loving, lasting relationships."

This is primarily a metal key, comprising both silver and gold. The gold signifies the light of heaven and brings confidence and empowerment. Silver, associated with the moon and with protection. The metal of emotion, silver -- along with gold -- casts away negative energy (because of the reflective nature of these metals). Diamonds amplify the good energy of the wearer and bring peace. They symbolize the life force.

This key combines golden citrine with two types of garnet -- the more traditional deep red and the orange tones of the Mozambique variety. The red garnet both balances and energizes. Citrine also is an energizing gem and is used to help overcome exhaustion. It detoxifies the body, unblocking it so that energy may move freely.The orange garnet lifts the spirits, dispelling depression and increasing overall vitality. Garnet is January's birthstone; citrine is an alternative birthstone for November.

Combining blue topaz with blue sapphire and violet-blue iolite brings together three gems that promote harmony. Blue topaz is a communication gem -- balancing mind and body while supporting communication and openness. Blue sapphire aids meditation and aids clarity and peace. Iolite is used to expand spiritual awareness and to bring harmony and psychic awareness.

Note: The Harmony Key pictured here is the smaller version that does not include the sapphire element.

Garnet is a gem that comes in many varieties, and each has its own special spiritual properties. In this key, rhodolite garnet (a deeper, rosy-plum color) is combined with blue sapphire and golden citrine. Rhodolite is a gem that stimulates creativity and imagination and promotes confidence. Its properties are enhanced by the citrine, which pushes away negative energy, cheering the spirit and helping with wish fulfillment. Sapphire (September's birthstone) is a gem of joy and beauty. Its purpose in this key is also to help the wearer to clarify life purpose and bring contentment in relationships.

The Key of Faith combines pearl, blue topaz, peridot. The pearl is the primary gem, used as a receptor for spirituality and faith. It is a traditional symbol of innocence and purity. Barbara comments, "The pearl's play of colors reminds us that change is the beauty of existencend it helps us to be unafraid of it."

Peridot, a heart stimulant, is used to enhance understanding of destiny and ultimate truths. The blue topaz, grounding stone, helps to link body, mind, and spirit.

This is another key in which the shape provides its fundamental symbolism. The cross (faith), key (knowledge), and vines (growth) combine to represent "the quest for enlightenment and the unlocking of the mysteries of life and faith."

The key comes in several choices of gemstone, each of which puts a different emphasis on the key -- allowing for great personalization. Pearls, which symbolize purity, are on every key.

Pictured here is the all-18K gold version; many silver and gold combinations are available.

This small key is simple at first glance, but a closer look reveals that it is packed with meaning. The top of the key has three open "petals"' symbolizing our life journey: birth/life/death, past/present/future -- or the intersection of mind, body, and spirit.

A lotus flower, which is Barbara's signature symbol -- present on every piece she does -- represents our striving for higher consciousness. The shank forms a spiral which represents the flow of life and energy. The diamonds in the key signify transformation and a striving for the "light."

Two important motifs are joined in this key to provide meaning. Hearts, of course, are recognized worldwide as representing love. The angel wings that surround the central heart point to angels that help focus us spiritually toward fulfillment. The key comes in two combinations, both of which feature pearls, rock crystal, and diamonds. The pearls represent innocence and faith; the rock crystal has a variety of uses, including that of attracting and giving love. A specific property of the crystal is its ability to amplify and focus. Diamonds enhance the properties of the other gems in the key.

The pink key has pink mother of pearl in the heart (with the same meanings as the pearl) and a cluster of emeralds. Emeralds, of which the Holy Grail was believed to be made, are used to open the heart to love and enlightenment.

The turquoise used in the second version is a grounding stone and one that is often used to attain goals of happiness and love. It is also believed to stimulate compassion and forgiveness. Combined with the turquoise is citrine which is said to aid in the transformation of dreams and aspirations to reality.

I do not know if there is an official name for this key, so based on the meanings of the gems I have taken the liberty of calling it the Key of Spirituality. It features 4 iolite gems forming a flower at the top of the key and a baguette-cut amethyst at the bottom. On the shank is a gray freshwater pearl. Iolite enhances psychic awareness and supports spirituality. Amethyst, too, is a gem associated with spirituality as well as with purity. Pearls represent purity of heart.