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ANDEAN COLLECTION INTRODUCES GOLD LAYERED NECKLACE
Indigenous Culture and Heritage Represented in the AC's New Statement Necklace

NEW YORK, NY - The Andean Collection (AC) announced today a new statement necklace, the Hualca (pronounced wal-ka), a multi-stranded, gold-plated glass bead necklace that adds a new level of luxury to the AC's line. The Hualca is a
timeless and symbolic necklace, worn by women of all ages in the Andean region of Ecuador. It transcends cultural boundaries and is current with this seasons focus on multi-layered statement necklaces.

The Hualca necklace is rich in symbolism and represents the livelihood and history of Ecuadorian culture. The Hualca represents femininity and acts as a cultural link to ancestors, as these necklaces have been worn by countless generations of women in the indigenous culture in Ecuador. The gold that encases the glass beads signifies the richness and vitality of Ecuador's soil and the individual gold beads represent maize (corn), a staple source of food in the indigenous Ecuadorian diet.

In Ecuador, the styles of the Hualca necklace vary with the age of the women who wear them. Older generations wear Hualcas that have numerous overlapping stands of larger robust gold beads worn high up on their neck, creating a golden
"tube" effect, as if the necklace is holding up their necks. The AC presents a more delicate version, popular with the younger indigenous population. This Hualca has strands of smaller gold beads worn lower and looser around the neck, which gracefully cascade down towards the collarbone. A limited number of the Gold Hualca necklaces are available exclusively on the AC's website: www.theandeancollection.com and retails for $225.