• ABOUT
  • PORTFOLIO
  • TESTIMONIALS
  • CONTACT
Custom Jewelry Saint Pete One-of-a-kind pieces for the unconstrained.

FIREFIGHTER MALTESE CROSS NECKLACE

firefighter-maltese-cross-necklacefirefighter-maltese-cross-necklace-made-from-goldfirefighter-maltese-cross-necklacefirefighter-maltese-cross-necklacevideo-making-firefighter-maltese-cross-necklace

Sirens cry, lights flash, and suddenly a hulking, hook and ladder comes barreling through a narrow maze of pulled-over minivans and sedans.  As the red truck zooms past, gawkers catch a glimpse of a symbol painted on the engine’s body.  A knobby “cross”, with a round center and chunky arms embellished with silhouettes of firefighting tools–a hydrant, an ax, a helmet.  

The Maltese cross is the official symbol of the fire service–often stitched, stickered and tattooed on firefighter’s bodies, vehicles and uniforms.  And of course, there’s Maltese cross jewelry.


ABOUT THE JEWELRY

+ 14K Gold handwrought firefighter Maltese cross pendant


 

Watch this video to see how this handcrafted firefighter Maltese cross was made.

Hunsinger recently handcrafted this piece of Maltese cross jewelry—a 14K gold Maltese cross pendant—for a fellow firefighter who said he wanted a one-of-a-kind piece that was unlike anything else out there.

“I was really excited to make this piece,” Hunsinger said.  “Because I’ve been a firefighter for more than 20 years, the Maltese cross is significant to me.”

Every facet of the piece was completely handcrafted from raw materials.  Pieces of heirloom jewelry were melted down, cut, hand rolled, hammered, filed, sanded and polished.

Hunsinger said he wanted to go for a “mechanical look,” and purposely used only one solder on the entire piece, opting instead to handcraft tiny gold rivets to fasten the pieces of hammered gold in place.

Crafting this piece inspired a little research.  Here’s some background about the Maltese cross and when it was adopted by America’s bravest.

The Maltese cross was a medieval symbol worn by the Knights of Malta, (a.k.a. Knights Hospitallers of St. John) a 16th century militarized organization from the island of Malta who fought against Islamic Saracens during religious crusades.  Because the Saracens literally fought with fire as a weapon (as in Renaissance style Molotov cocktails), the Knights became known as the first modern firefighters. To combat the spread of flames during these fiery battles, they courageously risked being burned alive.  

In its original form, the Maltese cross is an eight-pointed cross with four arms. The eight points originally symbolized the eight obligations or aspirations of the Knights, which are:

  • to live in truth
  • to have faith
  • to repent one’s sins
  • to give proof of humility
  • to love justice
  • to be merciful
  • to be sincere and wholehearted
  • to endure persecution

Over time, the eight points became known to represent the eight national groupings of the Knights.  Today, the cross represents eight beatitudes (or ‘blessings’), or the traits of a good first aider:

  • Observant
  • Tactful
  • Resourceful
  • Dextrous
  • Explicit
  • Discriminating
  • Persevering
  • Sympathetic

Firefighting agencies adapted and started using their own version of the Maltese cross as part of their insignia in 1865.  The New York Fire Department was the first to use the cross, followed by the Brooklyn Fire Department in 1882. The four-leaf clover shaped firefighter cross actually looks quite different from the sharp-cornered Knights of Malta cross associated with the Knights, which more closely resembles four arrowheads.

There is no clear explanation as to how the cross ultimately became the symbol of the fire service.  

Some sources have attributed it to the symbolism of the beatitudes, since these traits align with the attributes and the public’s perception of firefighters.

“I don’t really wear any jewelry besides my wedding band,” Hunsinger said.  “But when I made this piece, I actually thought about making another one for myself…but it’s one-of-a-kind.”

ShareShare on Facebook
Facebook
Pin on Pinterest
Pinterest
  • Share
  • 11

Molly Hunsinger

Molly graduated from the Mass Communications program at the University of South Florida where she studied journalism and digital media. She has authored numerous articles and blogs covering a wide spectrum of topics for a variety of print and digital publications. Originally from southern California, she enjoys all-things outdoors including running, boating, camping and stand-up paddleboarding. She lives in St. Pete Beach, Florida with her husband Greg and their three children.

Related Entries

black-church-iceland-wedding View Entry

BLACK CHURCH ICELAND WEDDING

custom jewelry st. pete, Wedding Jewelry
Custom Jewelry Saint Pete View Entry

MOTORCYCLE CHAIN BRACELET + SKULL BOX CLASP

Bracelets, custom jewelry st. pete, Skull jewelry
Custom Jewelry Saint Pete View Entry

MORSE CODE JEWELRY

custom jewelry st. pete, family heirloom jewelry, Morse code jewelry, Rings

Welcome!

Welcome to the portfolio site for Hunsinger Handcrafted, custom jewelry in St. Pete Beach, Florida. Custom jewelry tells a story about your life, your loved ones and your journey. The images and testimonials shared on this site tell the stories behind some of Greg Hunsinger's one-of-a-kind pieces, and the custom jewelry design experiences of some of his clients.

Subscribe

MAILING LIST

Thank you!

Now and then we have stories, photos and updates to share.

Testimonial

"Greg loves his craft and is a master at it, but there is more to it than that. He is the only person I will ever trust to create milestone or sentimental jewelry for me or my family."--Angie W.

PAGES

  • ABOUT
  • PORTFOLIO
  • TESTIMONIALS
  • CONTACT

Recent Posts

  • Sentimental Stones – Heirloom Jewelry Transformation
  • Two Metal Heads Talking Shop at Evander Preston Gallery
  • PROPOSAL DILEMMA FOR A WANDERLUST: FRANCE, GERMANY OR ICELAND
  • BLACK CHURCH ICELAND WEDDING
  • LEGACY OF ALTRUISM
  • FIREFIGHTER MALTESE CROSS NECKLACE
  • FAMILY HEIRLOOM JEWELRY RESTORATION + ALTERATION
  • ROMANTIC MARRIAGE PROPOSAL
  • MORSE CODE JEWELRY
  • OUR WEDDING JEWELRY
  • MOTORCYCLE CHAIN BRACELET + SKULL BOX CLASP
  • GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATE JEWELRY

My Instagram Feed

hunsingerhandcrafted

113 2,168

Hunsinger Handcrafted

hunsingerhandcrafted

View
Open
Merry Christmas! 🎄 Merry Christmas! 🎄
38 5

hunsingerhandcrafted

View
Open
Happy 1st birthday to our sweet baby girl, Seraphi Happy 1st birthday to our sweet baby girl, Seraphina. 🥳 We love her so much and are so grateful she came into our lives and made our family complete. 🐾🥰 #yorkie #yorkiesofinstagram #dogsofinstagram #dogmom #puppylove #puppylife
26 6

hunsingerhandcrafted

View
Open
Congratulations to our friends and clients, Rikki Congratulations to our friends and clients, Rikki and Jay, who tied the knot and made it official this weekend! Cheers to lifelong love and happiness! 🥂🥰 #tiedtheknot #marriedaf #loveisintheair #heelys #mrandmrs @jkoolsings 
repost: @seranationmusic
21 3

hunsingerhandcrafted

View
Open
50 Shmifty 🎂 #overthehill #dowhatyoulove #forev 50 Shmifty 🎂 #overthehill #dowhatyoulove #foreveryoung #mountainbike #mtblife
16 0

hunsingerhandcrafted

View
Open
Xoxo Xoxo
23 3

hunsingerhandcrafted

View
Open
Happy 18th birthday to our handsome son, Nason! W Happy 18th birthday to our handsome son, Nason!  We’re grateful that he loves spending time with family. We’re so proud of the responsible, young man he’s becoming. Nason, we love you! #lookoutworld #theyrealladultsnow #proudparents
19 2

hunsingerhandcrafted

View
Open
Merry Christmas, from our family to yours! xo 🌲 Merry Christmas, from our family to yours! xo 🌲❤️ #christmas2021 #familytradition #dogsinpjs
26 2

hunsingerhandcrafted

View
Open
We stand for health freedom and so does our surgeo We stand for health freedom and so does our surgeon general. Renowned experts are speaking truth in Florida today around the most important issues of our time. Watch the conference here https://www.gracenetwork.us/covid #healthfreedom #werthemajority #standup4humanrights
34 4

hunsingerhandcrafted

View
Open
Spooky sketches. Art is in our blood. 🩸Bailey a Spooky sketches. Art is in our blood. 🩸Bailey and Greg’s high school drawings... #familyofartists #halloween #superheroart #batmanart #skeletonart #anatomysketch #stpeteart #stpeteartist
14 2

hunsingerhandcrafted

View
Open
Grateful views #mybackyard #nofilter #lifeisgood # Grateful views #mybackyard #nofilter #lifeisgood #tampabay #stpetersburg #floridasunset #oceanlife #waterfrontliving
17 3

hunsingerhandcrafted

View
Open
Meet our baby girl, Seraphina! True to her name, Meet our baby girl, Seraphina!  True to her name, she has a fiery little spirit, and her brother, Carlos, couldn’t be more thrilled to have her by his side for all his adventures. Little Phina is bringing us all so much joy and we’re truly grateful she found her way to our family. #pupplylove #lovemydogs #twopupsarebetterthanone #doubletrouble #yorkiemix?
39 9

hunsingerhandcrafted

View
Open
Happy Father’s Day, from our family to yours 🏕 #fathersday #campinglife #weekiwacheesprings #sup #rvlife #manatees
26 1

hunsingerhandcrafted

View
Open
Do what you love #internationalsurfingday #thebeac Do what you love #internationalsurfingday #thebeachbelongstoeveryone #surfingflorida #keepfloridawild #makeamericaflorida
12 2

hunsingerhandcrafted

View
Open
Wishing every weekend was Boatstock. @boatstock 📷 repost: @gosunchill #thisiswhatfreedomlookslike #floridalife #boatlife #oceanconcert #freedom #floridaboatlife #floridaboating #lifeonthewater
13 0

hunsingerhandcrafted

View
Open
This sterling silver and black opal pendant was ha This sterling silver and black opal pendant was handcrafted for a music lover 🎼 #customjewelry #stpetersburgflorida #customjeweler #handcraftedjewelry #handwrought #blackopal #musicalnotes #silverpendant
9 0

hunsingerhandcrafted

View
Open
Happy 18th birthday to our honest, kind, loving so Happy 18th birthday to our honest, kind, loving son, Jack. We love him so much!  Watching him grow into the good-natured, easy-going young man he’s become makes us so proud. 🎂 📷: @still.silver  #boyslovetheirmamas #familyiseverything #18yearsold 
#happybirthday
32 4

hunsingerhandcrafted

View
Open
Happy Mother’s Day, from our family to yours 💐📷: @still.silver #mothersday #familyiseverything #lovemylife #tampabay #stpetersburg
47 8

hunsingerhandcrafted

View
Open
She said yes! Congratulations to our clients and f She said yes! Congratulations to our clients and friends who recently got engaged in Jamaica! @seranationmusic #customjewelry #destinationproposal #engagementphotos #engagementring #younglove❤️ #happilyeverafter #shesaidyes💍
17 1

hunsingerhandcrafted

View
Open
Swipe to see the earrings that match this one-of-a Swipe to see the earrings that match this one-of-a-kind, coral-inspired, white gold cocktail ring made with yellow diamonds from our client’s original engagement ring. Visit our blog (link in bio) to learn more about this custom jewelry transformation. #customjewelry #stpetecustomjewelry #whitegoldring #yellowdiamondring #coralinspired #whitegoldearrings #yellowdiamondearrings #jewelrydesigner #jewelrytransformation #heirloomjewelry
16 2

hunsingerhandcrafted

View
Open
Happy 1st birthday, Carlos! Oh, how we love taking Happy 1st birthday, Carlos! Oh, how we love taking you everywhere we go. Let the adventures continue! 🐾🎂 #labrahuahua #labrahuahuasofinstagram #labchi #labchihuahua #labchihuahuamix #dogsofinsta #dogsofinstagram #dogbirthday #puppiesofinstagram #puppylove #stpetedogs #stpetepup #stpetepups #ilovemydog #boatdog #supdog #beachdog #rvdog #bikedog
43 6
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Hunsinger, LLC © 2021. All Rights Reserved.