Leather pendant necklace with a gold escudo and a Tahitian pearl

Seville was then a centre for navigation and mapmaking. At the Casa de Contratación, pilot training and the preparation of charts supported ocean crossings. This provides the coin’s historical setting without claiming to reconstruct its individual journey. The antique coin retains the irregularities of its manufacture and history. The Kalinas & Tainos certificate accompanies the jewelry; it is not an official numismatic certificate.Cultured pearls add their reflections, with tones that can vary from one pearl to another.

Kalinas & Tainos is a French-Caribbean jewelry brand founded in Saint-Barthélemy in 2011, where every creation draws inspiration from the sea, travel, and the beauty of natural materials.

At the heart of the brand is Jérémy, its founder and creative director, originally from Provence. With a lifelong passion for the underwater world, objects rich in history, and design, his journey naturally led him to the Caribbean, where the colors of the ocean, the unique light of Saint-Barthélemy, and the beauty of cultured pearls continue to inspire him every day.

For over fifteen years, Kalinas & Tainos has been designing and assembling customizable jewelry in Saint-Barthélemy, combining Tahitian, South Sea, freshwater, and Akoya cultured pearls, rare conch pearls, gemstones, ancient coins, kangaroo leather, sterling silver 925, and gold. Each creation is designed to reveal the unique character of these materials through an elegant, timeless style deeply inspired by the art of living in Saint-Barthélemy.

More than a piece of jewelry, Kalinas & Tainos seeks to convey an emotion, a travel memory, and a lasting connection to Saint-Barth. Each creation is designed to accompany its wearer through the years and stand the test of time, like the memory of a precious moment.

Before storing the jewelry, gently wipe the leather, coin, pearls and gold-plated elements with a soft, dry cloth. Perspiration, cosmetics and other deposits can damage them over time, even inside a jewelry box. This gentle wiping is not polishing: preserve the coin’s patina and avoid abrasive products or cleaning baths. Remove the jewelry for showering, swimming, sport and sleep. Avoid perfume, household cleaners, impacts and friction. After accidental contact with moisture, allow it to dry naturally away from heat before storage. Do not use ultrasonic or steam cleaners.

Are the coins used in your jewelry authentic?

Yes. Kalinas & Tainos is committed to offering authentic coins sourced from the professional numismatic market, with traceable acquisition. We do not make or use copies, casts or reproduction coins. Each design brings a genuine collectible coin into a piece of jewelry.

Where does the coin come from, and what does traceability mean?

We select coins from numismatic professionals around the world, including at fairs dedicated to numismatics and collectibles, such as Sberatel in Prague, Czech Republic, and through private online auctions. Traceability concerns the source of our acquisition and the information accompanying the coin or its lot. It does not mean that every owner since the coin was struck is known.

What does the Kalinas & Tainos certificate supplied with the jewelry certify?

Our certificate records Kalinas & Tainos’s commitment to the authenticity of the coin and brings together the documented information available to us about it. It is based on its traceable acquisition and the information supplied by the professionals from whom we purchased it. Issued by our own house, it is not an independent numismatic certification, a condition grade or a laboratory analysis report. We do not carry out laboratory testing.

Does every coin come with NGC or PCGS certification?

No. Some coins are acquired with NGC or PCGS certification; this does not apply automatically to other coins. When certification is documented for a particular coin, we clearly distinguish it from our own house certificate. Its number can be used to look up the service’s recorded details, which must also be matched to the actual coin. If a coin has been removed from its holder to be mounted in jewelry, the NGC or PCGS holder-based guarantees no longer apply. The earlier certification remains part of its documentation, rather than certification of the jewelry. The services’ guarantee terms: NGC · PCGS.

Can I request NGC or PCGS certification after buying my jewelry?

Yes. After purchasing your jewelry, we can help arrange an assessment and certification of its coin by NGC or PCGS, subject to the coin’s eligibility with the chosen service.

Allow an indicative budget of around €500 for shipping, assessment and certification fees. We will confirm the cost in a quotation before proceeding. Please allow several weeks, depending on shipping times and the service’s availability. Depending on the setting, the coin may need to be removed from the jewelry; we will check the requirements before anything is sent.

Please contact us if you would like this service. We will do everything we can to assist you and meet your request: your satisfaction is our priority.

Is this a one-of-a-kind piece?

Yes. This composition around its antique escudo is a one-of-a-kind piece. Its identity comes from this particular coin, its relief and its pairing with the pearl. Another design inspired by this setting would use a different authentic coin; we do not reproduce the coin itself.

How do I choose the size?

Length: from 30 to 110 cm in 1 cm increments, selected when ordering. Place a string around your neck at the desired height, then measure it.

How can I request customization?

Would you like a different leather length or a particular composition around the coin? For a special combination or a request beyond the choices shown, use “Fully customize this necklace”: our team will review your project.