Traditional Hutsul zgardas are rooted in the history of the Carpathians, where massive metal crosses and beads served as powerful amulets. Today, our brand revives this ancient heritage, creating interpretations of vintage jewelry without making them look too outdated.
A Carpathian zgarda, which means “amulet” in Romanian, is originally a Hutsul neck ornament with deep religious significance. It was previously worn by both women and men, primarily in the regions of Bukovyna and Verkhovyna.
The traditional Ukrainian zgarda design is based on patinated brass elements. Another distinctive feature of these neckpieces is the presence of cross-shaped details and rustling pendants (shelesty). Although zgardas have an ethnic appearance, they are simple enough to be worn with both modern and classic clothing.
Since a traditional Ukrainian zgarda necklace is composed almost entirely of metal, it is important to process it properly to prevent it from oxidizing upon contact with skin and causing irritation. We have developed our own metalworking techniques and therefore guarantee that all elements of our products are completely safe (unless you have an individual reaction to the material).
In our Hutsul zgardy necklaces, we use elements of red glass, green jade, and Kosiv ceramics in our pieces. These elements make the beads recognizable and stand out for their naturalness.
To ensure you’re truly delighted with your purchase, please check the product page for its dimensions, weight, composition, and any care instructions. You can also contact our consultants via online chat.
Our neckpieces will complement embroidered shirts, classic dresses, and simple linen pieces. You can also integrate our Ukrainian zgardy necklaces into your basic wardrobe to make your outfit more stylish and sophisticated.
Generally speaking, Ukrainian zgardy are striking brass necklaces often used in elegant outfits to create ethnic accents. While they are often worn on their own (as they don’t initially require many additional accessories), you can also create a set by complementing a necklace with a bracelet, earrings, and/or rings.
SVARGA strives to express ancient Ukrainian traditions in all its products, which doesn’t diminish their relevance and makes them suitable for complementing modern outfits. If you’d like to add a unique necklace to your jewelry collection, you’ve come to the right place. Simply choose your favorite design of zgardy necklaces, place your order, and expect it to arrive in 10-14 business days (however, it all depends on the carrier you’ve chosen and customs clearance).
A Ukrainian zgarda is a traditional Hutsul jewelry with a single tier of threads. It can also be distinguished by the presence of noticeable metal elements, as well as crosses, beads, or decorative pendants.
Both historical and modern artisans traditionally use brass, red tempered glass, green jade, Kosiv ceramics, and decorative beads. However, the final choice of materials depends on the specific model and the manufacturer’s vision, so we recommend checking the exact composition on each product page.
Yes, and our customers often do this so their jewelry doesn’t look like it was pulled from a historical film. In particular, our zgarda necklaces can be a great addition to a simple dress, blouse, linen set, or other modern look, adding a finishing touch.
It is recommended to follow the care instructions for items containing metal elements and protect the jewelry from moisture, cosmetics, chemicals, and strong impacts.
