New-Zealand-based Bone Art Place sells amazingly beautiful pendants carved from bone, in the Maori style, by local artists. "They are soft and warm to the touch yet the finish is like polished glass," explains the site. "Over a period of time bone carvings absorb oils from your skin and change colour to a very light honey gold. The Maori believe this to be the carving taking on some of your spirituality or essence and thus truly becoming a part of the wearer."

There are several different styles the pendants come in. Seen up top is Hei-Matau, or hooks:

These very stylised fish hook bone carvings or pendants represent prosperity, abundance, fertility and strength. They are also seen as good luck charms, particularly for those traveling over water. Hei-Matau are symbols of power and authority which are held in great reverence by the Maori people.

Below are Manaia:

The Manaia is an ancient mythical being with a bird's head and a human form. It is said to be the messenger between the earthly world of mortals and the domain of the spirits. The Manaia is a holder of great spiritual energy and is a guardian against evil. It can be seen blended into many Maori designs with subtle differences between tribes.

My favorite are probably the spiraling Koru:

The Koru, represents the fern frond as it opens bringing new life and purity to the world. It also represents peace, tranquility and spirituality, along with a strong sense of regrowth or new beginnings. The Koru is also often associated with nurturing so when interlocked with others is frequently used to represent the strength and purity of a loving relationship within a family.

The criss-crossing Twists would be a close second:

The twist with its crisscross form represents the many paths of life and love and as such is regarded as the original eternity symbol. The single twist in particular shows the joining together of two people for eternity. Even though they sometimes move away from each other on their own journeys, they will always come together again sharing their lives and blending to become one. It tells how the strength of bond of friendship, loyalty and love will last forever.

These being modern times, the artists also offer more contemporary icons, shapes and symbols.