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.

Bohemian Style Necklaces at NOVICA

Woven Coin, Hill Tribe Coin Link Silver Necklace

Length: 18"

Pakaon Sojintarit

(205)

$299.99 Wholesale

$299.99

Peace Realm, Floral Sterling Silver Pendant Necklace with Glass Beads

Eduardo Villegas Reyes

$251.99 Wholesale

~~$279.99~~ $251.99

Cascading Sunset, Carnelian and Calcite Beaded Strand Necklace from India

Length: 21.75"

Narayannii

(693)

$249.99 Wholesale

$249.99

Enthralling Beauty, Leaf Motif Garnet and Cultured Pearl Necklace from India

Length: 18.75"

Neeru Goel

(2379)

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$217.99

Delightful Faith, Gold Plated Moonstone and Garnet Rosary from Bali

Length: 18"

Ketut Sulastri

(297)

$184.99 Wholesale

$184.99

Stylish Charm, Modern Cultured Pearl Station Necklace from Bali

Length: 28"

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(297)

$177.99 Wholesale

$177.99

Turquoise pendant necklace, 'Sun Corona' - Zigzag Motif Turquoise Pendant Necklace from Mexico

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Sun Corona, Zigzag Motif Turquoise Pendant Necklace from Mexico

Length: 17.75"

Guillermo Arregui

(1087)

$169 Wholesale

$169

Ancient Sky, Handcrafted Thai Sterling Silver and Roman Glass Necklace

Length: 16.5"

Michael Krainer

(203)

$149.99 Wholesale

$149.99

Garden in Bloom, Hill Tribe Beaded Silver Flower Necklace

Length: 18"

Pakaon Sojintarit

(205)

$149.99 Wholesale

$149.99

Evening Cocktail in Midnight, Balinese Sterling Silver and Agate Beaded Necklace

Length: 18"

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(297)

$144.99 Wholesale

$144.99

Love for Trees, Heart-Themed Cultured Pearl Long Pendant Necklace from Bali

Length: 38"

Ketut Sulastri

(297)

$139.99 Wholesale

$139.99

Splendid Armenia, Choker Pendant Necklace with Carnelian and Recon Turquoise

Jevo

$139 Wholesale

$139

Evening Cocktail in Holiday, Handcrafted Sterling Silver and Agate Beaded Necklace

Length: 18"

Ketut Sulastri

(297)

$129.99 Wholesale

$129.99

Evening Cocktail in Red, Sterling Silver and Red Agate Beaded Necklace

Length: 18"

Ketut Sulastri

(297)

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$129.99

Royal Prayer, Fair Trade Sterling Silver and Lapis Lazuli Locket Necklace

Length: 18"

Bhavesh

(1335)

$125.99 Wholesale

~~$139.99~~ $125.99

Plumeria Chime, Silver & Garnet Plumeria Harmony Ball Necklace with Peridot

Length: 46"

Ketut Sulastri

(297)

$119.99 Wholesale

$119.99

Happy Chime, Silver Carnelian and Garnet Long Harmony Ball Necklace

Length: 46"

Ketut Sulastri

(297)

$119.99 Wholesale

$119.99

Gold plated multi-gemstone waterfall necklace, 'Rainbow Drizzle' - Gold Plated Multi-Gemstone Waterfall Necklace from India

Bestseller

Rainbow Drizzle, Gold Plated Multi-Gemstone Waterfall Necklace from India

Length: 16.75"

Neetu Barathi

(1609)

$116.99 Wholesale

~~$129.99~~ $116.99

Eternal Radiance, Silver and Composite Turquoise Artisan Crafted Necklace

Length: 18"

Neeru Goel

(2379)

$107.99 Wholesale

$107.99

Sunset Cascade, Carnelian Waterfall Necklace Crafted in Bali

Length: 18"

Ketut Sulastri

(297)

$104.99 Wholesale

$104.99

Lovely Bundle, Amethyst Link Pendant Necklace from Bali

Length: 18"

Ketut Sulastri

(297)

$104.99 Wholesale

$104.99

Gold accented labradorite and wood beaded necklace, 'Harmony Mala' - Gold Accented Labradorite and Wood Beaded Pendant Necklace

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Harmony Mala, Gold Accented Labradorite and Wood Beaded Pendant Necklace

Size: 29.5" Inner Circ. x 0.2" W

Ketut Sulastri

(297)

$89.95 Wholesale

$89.95

Endless Harmony, Mango Wood and Jade Necklace

Length: 16.75"

Matta

(498)

$69.99 Wholesale

$69.99

Gold plated labradorite pendant necklace, 'Hamsa Protection' - Gold Plated Labradorite Hamsa Pendant Necklace from India

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Hamsa Protection, Gold Plated Labradorite Hamsa Pendant Necklace from India

Length: 16.25"

Vivek Nathany

(171)

$69.95 Wholesale

$69.95

Peacock Art, Sterling Silver Jewelry Artisan Crafted Necklace

Length: 18"

Jantana

(710)

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$67.99

Golden Arc in Multi, Gold Plated Bar Necklace with Tourmaline Beads

Length: 17.25"

Somsiri Juntamin

(76)

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$59.99

Sosongo in Black, Handcrafted Black Braided Bead Necklace with Wood and Agate

Ila Suleyman

(80)

$59 Wholesale

$59

Garden Party, Beaded Cord Necklace with Green Aventurine and Brass

Length: 20.5"

Tiraphan Hasub

(931)

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$57.99

Royal Rainfall, Multicolored Ceramic Pendant Necklace by Indian Artisans

Length: 11.5"

Ritu Thapar

(133)

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$57.99

Green Diamond, Handmade 925 Silver and Agate Necklace with Seed Beads

Length: 17.75"

Ana Mirez

(2)

$55.99 Wholesale

~~$69.99~~ $55.99

Horizon Threads, Striped Glass and Leather Pendant Necklace from Brazil

Silvana and Joao Alexandre

(33)

$52.19 Wholesale

$52.19

Beaded necklace, 'Flower Festival in White' - Artisan Crafted Floral Glass Beaded Necklace from Guatemala

Flower Festival, Artisan Crafted Floral Glass Beaded Necklace from Guatemala

Length: 21.5"

Mirian Zet

(163)

$49.99 Wholesale

$49.99

Agate and carnelian Y necklace, 'Summer Flower' - Agate and Carnelian Y Necklace

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Summer Flower, Agate and Carnelian Y Necklace

Length: 17"

Nareerat

(1853)

$47.99 Wholesale

$47.99

Stylish Azure, Topaz Macrame Choker Necklace Handmade in Blue Cotton Cords

Tehmine Gevorgyan

$44 Wholesale

$44

Stylish Black, Handmade Sodalite Cotton Macrame Choker Necklace in Black

Tehmine Gevorgyan

$44 Wholesale

$44

Unmatched Beauty, Adjustable Macrame Necklace with Quartz Pendant from Armenia

Tehmine Gevorgyan

$44 Wholesale

$44

Glass and leather pendant necklace, 'Layers of Ocean' - Blue and Brown Glass and Leather Pendant Necklace

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Layers of Ocean, Blue and Brown Glass and Leather Pendant Necklace

Size: 28" Inner Circ.

Silvana and Joao Alexandre

(33)

$40.49 Wholesale

$40.49

Brown Tribal Glam, Artisan Crafted Coconut Wood Pendant Necklace

Length: 17"

Sasithon Saisuk

(142)

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$39.99

Rustic Frangipani in Beige, Beige Leather and Coconut Shell Floral Statement Necklace

Length: 17"

Sasithon Saisuk

(142)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99

Refined Glamor, Handmade Macrame Long Pendant Necklace with Jasper Stone

Tehmine Gevorgyan

$39 Wholesale

$39

Glass beaded pendant necklace, 'Fantastic Frida' - Frida-Themed Glass Beaded Pendant Necklace from Mexico

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Fantastic Frida, Frida-Themed Glass Beaded Pendant Necklace from Mexico

Length: 19.25"

Adriana Trejo

(140)

$37.99 Wholesale

$37.99

Harmonious Elegance in Blue, Blue and White Glass Beaded Strand Necklace from Guatemala

Size: 30" Inner Circ. x 1" W

Angelina Roquel

(59)

$37.99 Wholesale

$37.99

Symphony of Color in Green, Green Beaded Waterfall Necklace

Length: 17.5"

Mirian Zet

(163)

$37.99 Wholesale

$37.99

Kelly Green and White Harmony, Hand Beaded Long Torsade Necklace in Green

Size: 30" Inner Circ. x 1" W

Angelina Roquel

(59)

$34.99 Wholesale

$34.99

Cute Boho in Maize, Wood Beaded Strand Necklace in Maize from Thailand

Length: 30.5"

Sumalee Nawakul

(184)

$29.99 Wholesale

$29.99

Cute Boho in Blue-Violet, Wood Beaded Strand Necklace in Blue-Violet from Thailand

Length: 30.5"

Sumalee Nawakul

(184)

$29.99 Wholesale

$29.99

Fire Harmony, Earthy Hues Glass Beaded Torsade Necklace from Guatemala

Length: 17.5"

Mirian Zet

(163)

$29.99 Wholesale

$29.99

Boho Mood, Bohemian Multi-Gemstone Beaded Pendant Necklace

Length: 37"

Nareerat

(1853)

$27.99 Wholesale

$27.99

Dance Party, Amethyst Chip and Brass Bead Necklace from Thai Artisan

Length: 18.5"

Tiraphan Hasub

(931)

$25 Wholesale

~~$49.99~~ $25

Pool Party, Turquoise Colored Calcite and Brass Beaded Necklace

Length: 20.5"

Tiraphan Hasub

(931)

$24 Wholesale

~~$47.99~~ $24

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