At 19-years-old, Mads Kornerup began traveling to Brazil and its plateaus, valleys, and canyons. “It was the first time I felt I was part of it all, heaven and earth,” he remembers.

Since then, the Copenhagen-based founder of Shamballa Jewels has spent his days working with the symbols of spiritually. The two signs that he’s most drawn to are the Vajra (thunderbolt) and the Visvavajra (crossed thunderbolt), which he’s combined to create his signature Star of Shamballa. “It has a life of its own, constantly reminding us that humans are little fractions of stars,” he explains.

He’s made pieces for everyone from businessmen and middle-eastern sheiks to Jay-Z and ZZ Top, but he’ll never sell his Star to someone whose spiritual seriousness he questions—much to the chagrin of his business partners. According to Kornerup, he doesn’t have a choice. “I am just the Star’s temporary guardian.”

Available at Barneys New York and shamballajewels.com

KEYWORDS: accessories, fashion, jewelry