How do I know if my necklace is handmade?

Handmade necklaces are incomparable works of wearable art. Each one is unique in shape, color, size and design. Artisans from across the globe offer their own distinctive style of craftsmanship. In India, the vibrant colored gemstones have become a signature fashion statement. Balinese jewelry is characterized by ornate sterling tendrils set with tiny silver spheres. In Brazil, womens necklaces are often sleek and contemporary, with gemstones chosen for their particular energies. Many jewelry designs from Bali and Central America feature hand-knotted macram, such as that used in Guatemalas popular friendship bracelets. Handmade finishes may show variations in metal patterns. No two natural gemstones share the same characteristics. Each necklace holds its own individualistic sense of beauty, making it evident that it was crafted by hand. Some even bear the artisans signature.

What makes a necklace eco-friendly?

Sustainable necklaces are designed with reusable materials, and each culture makes use of the objects and materials most readily at hand. For example, many Andean, Central American and Thai artists use repurposed wood. West African artisans use recycled paper, and beads of recycled glass or plastic. In Thailand, Mexico and Bali, coconut shells are often used. Indian artists sometimes repurpose silk from saris. And Brazilian artists collect discarded zippers and soda pop-tops to crochet into stunning, eco-friendly designs.

What are the classic techniques for making women’s necklaces?

Many artisans the world over work in lost wax. They sculpt the image they want in wax, encase it in a mold, and pour molten silver or gold into it. The wax melts and flows out, leaving only the precious metal. However some artisans in Peru specialize in handmade silver and gold filigree, and some Balinese necklaces feature chains that are handwoven from slender metal strands. Karen hill tribe artisans in Thailand often use manual tools to stamp decorative motifs on fine silver. Other techniques include macram, beaded or gemstone strands, hammered metals, and carved wood or bone.

What are the most common materials for making women’s necklaces?

Precious metals and natural gemstones are the most popular materials for women's necklaces. Silver, gold and brass all provide durability as well as beauty. Artisans also utilize local materials that can include coconut shells, bamboo, bright African print fabrics, ceramic beads, natural amber, carved bone and bull horn. Both Peru and Mexico have rich silver mines and silver is used for traditional jewelry as well as contemporary designs.

What is the best way to wear women’s necklaces?

Women's necklaces are versatile and come in many styles and lengths. They can be layered or worn alone as a statement piece. Many designs go with everything from jeans to office wear or an evening out on the town. The best thing about jewelry is that its a customizable form of expression that provides a sense of luxury and individuality.

What are the signs of a well-made necklace?

When assessing the workmanship of a necklace, its helpful to pay attention to certain characteristics. For example, quality necklaces are balanced designs that rest comfortably around the neck. Clasps are secure and work well, and gemstones and beads are properly set. The precious metals should be nicely finished, and beads should not be too tightly strung. Well-made necklaces reflect excellent craftsmanship and attractive materials.

Are there specific cultural symbols used in womens necklaces?

Each culture celebrates its rich jewelry-making history through specific symbols and styles. For example, traditional West African beads, which adorn many necklaces from the region, each have a story and a specific occasion when they are worn. Others may feature the Ghanian adinkra symbols, which convey popular wisdom. In ancient Andean civilizations, the leaders apparel and jewelry showed their rank and also incorporated religious symbols. Similarly, necklaces from Bali often depict deities from the Hindu pantheon. In India, a womans jewelry is linked to her status in society and may depict Hindu gods as well as mantra symbols such as the omkara, the root of all sounds and the emblem of the Most High. Angel necklaces and harmony ball necklaces are often worn by pregnant women in Bali and in Mexico. The pendant makes a delicate bell sound, thought to soothe the mother and the baby she is carrying. Some believe it summons a guardian angel, thus making it a symbol of loving protection.

Thought and Meditation Necklaces at NOVICA

Sterling silver pendant necklace, 'Pious Om' - Sterling Silver Om Tree Pendant Necklace from India

Bestseller

Pious Om, Sterling Silver Om Tree Pendant Necklace from India

Length: 18"

Bhavya Jain

(422)

$137.99 Wholesale

$137.99

Radiant Chakra, Chakra Silhouette Multi-Gemstone Pendant Necklace from India

Length: 16"

Chintan

(321)

$114.99 Wholesale

$114.99

Eternal Peace, Om Motif Sterling Silver Pendant Necklace from India

Length: 20.25"

Shivani Choudhary

(232)

$107.99 Wholesale

$107.99

Sterling silver pendant necklace, 'Lucky Signs' - Tibetan-Inspired Classic Sterling Silver Pendant Necklace

Bestseller

Lucky Signs, Tibetan-Inspired Classic Sterling Silver Pendant Necklace

Shivani Choudhary

(232)

$169.99 Wholesale

$169.99

Men's sterling silver pendant necklace, 'Balinese Ongkare' - Balinese Sacred Symbol Ongkare-Themed Men's Silver Necklace

New Arrival

Balinese Ongkare, Balinese Sacred Symbol Ongkare-Themed Men's Silver Necklace

Ekayani

$109.99 Wholesale

$109.99

Sterling silver pendant necklace, 'Dancing Shiva' - Sterling Silver Pendant Necklace of Deity Shiva from Bali

New Arrival

Dancing Shiva, Sterling Silver Pendant Necklace of Deity Shiva from Bali

Ekayani

$109.99 Wholesale

$109.99

Seven Chakra Rainbow, Thai Gemstone and Sterling Silver 7 Chakra Necklace

Length: 18"

Abhishek Singla

(26)

$229.99 Wholesale

$229.99

Curated gift set, 'Mindfulness' - Necklace Tealight Holder and Yoga Mat Bag Curated Gift Set

Gift Set | Mindfulness, Necklace Tealight Holder and Yoga Mat Bag Curated Gift Set

$278.72

$349.97 $278.72

Calm Buddha, Calm Buddha Pendant Necklace in Sterling Silver

Length: 20"

Shivani Choudhary

(232)

$127.99 Wholesale

$127.99

Tiger's eye and labradorite beaded long pendant necklace, 'Grounding Energy' - Tiger's Eye and Labradorite Beaded Long Pendant Necklace

Bestseller

Grounding Energy, Tiger's Eye and Labradorite Beaded Long Pendant Necklace

Sumit Dhawan

(1)

$49.99 Wholesale

$49.99

Emblem of Karma, Handmade Ceramic and Sterling Silver Karma Pendant Necklace

Anuva Baid

(9)

$44.99 Wholesale

$44.99

Meditation II, Jade Om Symbol on Cotton Cord Artisan Necklace

Length: 14"

Jorge Lopez

(25)

$64.99 Wholesale

$64.99

Om of Serenity, Om-Themed Birthstone Blue Topaz Pendant Necklace from Bali

Made Mustika

(49)

$439.99 Wholesale

$439.99

Sacred Peace Bloom, Floral Om-Themed Reconstituted Turquoise Pendant Necklace

Michael Krainer

(203)

$127.99 Wholesale

$127.99

Om of Loyalty, Polished Blue Topaz Round Om Pendant Necklace from Thailand

Michael Krainer

(203)

$94.99 Wholesale

$94.99

Multi-gemstone pendant necklace, 'Om Jewels' - Chakra-Inspired Faceted Multi-Gemstone Om Pendant Necklace

Bestseller

Om Jewels, Chakra-Inspired Faceted Multi-Gemstone Om Pendant Necklace

Alok Jain

(1879)

$143.99 Wholesale

$159.99 $143.99

Sacred Regal Bloom, Floral Om-Themed Lapis Lazuli Pendant Necklace from Thailand

Michael Krainer

(203)

$107.99 Wholesale

$107.99

Mind on Fire, Inspirational Lotus-Themed Carnelian Pendant Necklace

Michael Krainer

(203)

$119.99 Wholesale

$119.99

Mind in Peace, Inspirational Lotus-Themed Recon Turquoise Pendant Necklace

Michael Krainer

(203)

$114.99 Wholesale

$114.99

Luxurious Essence, Onyx Agate Beaded Necklace with Gold-Toned Coated Tourmaline

Sumit Dhawan

(1)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99

Om of Romance, Inspirational 1-Carat Faceted Garnet Om Pendant Necklace

Made Mustika

(49)

$389.99 Wholesale

$389.99

Om of Passion, Polished Garnet Round Om Pendant Necklace from Thailand

Michael Krainer

(203)

$94.99 Wholesale

$94.99

Greet the Sun, Modern Artisan Crafted Balinese Pendant Necklace

Length: 15"

Made Wardika

(1081)

$34.99 Wholesale

$34.99

Shine of Om, High-Polished Om Grey Cultured Pearl Pendant Necklace

Ajay Patil

(12)

$79.99 Wholesale

$79.99

Anahata Energy, Spiritual Floral Sterling Silver Anahata Pendant Necklace

Nyoman Rena

(2218)

$119.99 Wholesale

$119.99

Om of Wisdom, Polished Amethyst Round Om Pendant Necklace from Thailand

Michael Krainer

(203)

$85.49 Wholesale

$94.99 $85.49

Reversible onyx beaded pendant necklace, 'Mandala Charm' - Mandala-Themed Reversible Onyx Beaded Steel Pendant Necklace

Bestseller

Mandala Charm, Mandala-Themed Reversible Onyx Beaded Steel Pendant Necklace

Sumit Dhawan

(1)

$44.99 Wholesale

$49.99 $44.99

Mind of Intellect, Inspirational Lotus-Themed Lapis Lazuli Pendant Necklace

Michael Krainer

(203)

$114.99 Wholesale

$114.99

Memories of Siddhartha, Handmade Bodhi Fig Wood and Resin Beaded Necklace from India

Sumit Dhawan

(1)

$44.99 Wholesale

$44.99

Shri Yantra Mantra, Intersecting Triangles Sterling Silver Pendant Necklace

Length: 18"

Neetu Barathi

(1609)

$149.99 Wholesale

$149.99

Vishuddha Energy, Spiritual Floral Sterling Silver Vishuddha Pendant Necklace

Nyoman Rena

(2218)

$109.99 Wholesale

$109.99

Dragon Om, Sterling Silver Dragon Om Pendant Necklace from India

Length: 20.25"

Shivani Choudhary

(232)

$194.99 Wholesale

$194.99

Ganesha Chakra, Multi-Gemstone Ganesha Chakra Necklace from India

Length: 18"

Alok Jain

(1879)

$242.99 Wholesale

$269.99 $242.99

Sacred Fire Bloom, Floral Om-Themed Carnelian Pendant Necklace from Thailand

Michael Krainer

(203)

$119.99 Wholesale

$119.99

Dazzling Peace, Folk Art Om-Inspired Aventurine and Onyx Beaded Necklace

Sumit Dhawan

(1)

$44.99 Wholesale

$49.99 $44.99

Spirit of Om in Orange, Carnelian and Sterling Silver Om Pendant Necklace

Length: 1" x 0.7" W

Michael Krainer

(203)

$79.99 Wholesale

$79.99

Spirit of Om in Turquoise, Turquoise and Sterling Silver Om Pendant Necklace

Length: 1" x 0.7" W

Michael Krainer

(203)

$99.99 Wholesale

$99.99

Peace Before Birth, Hand Carved Bone and Leather Mother Necklace from Bali

Length: 13.5"

Made Wardika

(1081)

$27.99 Wholesale

$27.99

Meditative Medallion, Sterling Silver Om Pendant Necklace from India

Length: 17.25"

Neetu Barathi

(1609)

$69.99 Wholesale

$69.99

Sacred Symbols, Carnelian Necklace with Reversible Ganesha Om Steel Pendant

Sumit Dhawan

(1)

$44.99 Wholesale

$44.99

Thoughtful Om, Sterling Silver Pendant Necklace Depicting Om Symbol

Length: 17.25"

Neetu Barathi

(1609)

$117.99 Wholesale

$117.99

Om Chakra, 6.3 Cts Multi-gemstone Sterling Silver Medallion Necklace

Length: 18"

Alok Jain

(1879)

$121.49 Wholesale

$134.99 $121.49

Yoga Saga, Sterling Silver Yoga-Themed Pendant Necklace from India

Length: 18"

Sapna Mehta

(50)

$84.99 Wholesale

$84.99

Seven Centers, Chakra-Themed Spiral Multi-Gemstone Pendant Necklace

Abhishek Singla

(26)

$178.19 Wholesale

$197.99 $178.19

Om Pattern, Celtic Om Sterling Silver Pendant Necklace from India

Length: 17.25"

Neetu Barathi

(1609)

$134.99 Wholesale

$134.99

Vital Balance, Meditation Multi-Gemstone Beaded Necklace with Rayon Tassel

Sumit Dhawan

(1)

$89.99 Wholesale

$99.99 $89.99

Spiritual Journey, Inspirational Polished Sterling Silver Om Pendant Necklace

Nicte Migliozzi

(47)

$69.99 Wholesale

$69.99

Om in Symmetry, Handcrafted Sterling Silver Om Visualized Pendant Necklace

Length: 18"

Neetu Barathi

(1609)

$119.99 Wholesale

$119.99

Celtic Om, Sterling Silver Om Symbol Pendant Necklace for Women

Length: 18"

Pichaya

(1256)

$57.99 Wholesale

$57.99

Serene Om, Shining Sterling Silver Om Pendant Necklace from India

Length: 20.25"

Shivani Choudhary

(232)

$127.99 Wholesale

$127.99

Triumphant Mind, 22k Gold-Plated Multi-Gemstone Chakra Pendant Necklace

Alok Jain

(1879)

$197.99 Wholesale

$219.99 $197.99

Balancing Om, Tiger's Eye Amethyst Beaded Necklace with Om Steel Pendant

Sumit Dhawan

(1)

$49.99 Wholesale

$49.99

Meditative State, Sterling Silver Meditation Pendant Necklace from Thailand

Length: 18"

Jantana

(710)

$57.99 Wholesale

$57.99

Shirdi Sai Baba, Polished Sterling Silver Shirdi Sai Baba Pendant Necklace

Ajay Patil

(12)

$139.99 Wholesale

$139.99

Peaceful Radiance, Om-Themed Carnelian Onyx Wood Steel Beaded Long Y Necklace

Sumit Dhawan

(1)

$44.99 Wholesale

$49.99 $44.99

Beautiful Om, Tourmaline Om Beaded Pendant Necklace from Thailand

Length: 17"

Matta

(498)

$69.99 Wholesale

$69.99

Sun's Om, Sun-Themed Om Sterling Silver Pendant Necklace from India

Ajay Patil

(12)

$154.99 Wholesale

$154.99

Lotus Om, Sterling Silver Lotus and Om Pendant Necklace

Length: 18"

Bhavya Jain

(422)

$109.99 Wholesale

$109.99

Courageous Balance, Spiritual Om-Inspired Onyx and Tiger's Eye Beaded Necklace

Sumit Dhawan

(1)

$40.49 Wholesale

$44.99 $40.49

Chakra Spell, One-Carat Multi-Gemstone Chakra Beaded Pendant Necklace

Sumit Dhawan

(1)

$71.99 Wholesale

$79.99 $71.99

Sahasrara Energy, Spiritual Floral Sterling Silver Sahasrara Pendant Necklace

Nyoman Rena

(2218)

$144.99 Wholesale

$144.99

Meditative Maiden, Painted Meditation-Themed Round Ceramic Pendant Necklace

Ritu Thapar

(133)

$25.99 Wholesale

$25.99

Fascinating Om, Sterling Silver Om Pendant Necklace from India

Length: 17.25"

Neetu Barathi

(1609)

$64.99 Wholesale

$64.99

Eyes of Eternity, Bohemian Sterling Silver and Blue Enamel Pendant Necklace

Ani and Narine

$84 Wholesale

$84

White topaz pendant necklace, 'The Spirit of Purity' - White Topaz and Reconstituted Turquoise Om Pendant Necklace

Coming back

The Spirit of Purity, White Topaz and Reconstituted Turquoise Om Pendant Necklace

Michael Krainer

(203)

$114.99 Wholesale

$114.99

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