All MORČIĆI Jewelry comes in a gift box along with a card which relates the LEGENDS of this very special Croatian jewelry which many of our parents and grandparents brought with them to America!

 The Legend of the Morčić

Morčić (Moor-cheech) jewelry has been manufactured and regarded as a unique jewel representing Rijeka for more than three centuries. It can be found also in the court of Vienna and in Venice, as well as throughout Dalmatia and its islands. Earrings, bracelets, necklaces, tie-pins, pendants---are all made with the figure of the Morčić. Through time, Morčići has established itself as an indication of economic power and social standing of the person who wears it. It also pinpointed that the wearer of this particular type of jewelry was generally a resident of the northern coastal area of Croatia. The Morčić is also thought to have protective powers and was many times worn as an amulet to guard against evil. Some women were said to have worn Morčić jewelry to commemorate the victory over the Turks that took place in the 16th Century. During the 17th Century, Morčić appeared in Rijeka as a response to moretto---elaborate and ornate jewelry from Venice which had been inspired by Eastern styles. In the 19thCentury, Morčić jewelry became expensive and sought-after jewelry of the upper classes. Men would also wear the Morčić jewelry. Sailors and laborers who lived in Rijeka often wore a Morčić earring in their left ear.In addition to the women of Rijeka, Morčić is also worn by the women of Istria, Grobnik and the Kastav region, of Vinodol and Gorski Kotar. It is worn by women on the islands of Pag, Rab, Krk and Cres. In Rijeka, it is called "Mori", in Istria "moretti", in the Vinodol region "Morci", in Kastav "Morci earrings" and in Gorski Kotar "Morceki". As trading developed, the Moretto found it's way through Senj into Lika and even into Bosnia. Sea routes brought it to Split, Zadar and the northern Dalmatian islands.

Since the Homeland War, Morčić jewelry has made a reappearance all over Croatia and is currently a very popular form of jewelry.