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.

Necklaces Hand Painted at NOVICA

Floral Duo, Gold-Accented Fuchsia and Purple Wood Beaded Necklace

Ali Guzman

$179.99 Wholesale

$179.99

Gold Metamorphosis, Yellow Ceramic Sterling Silver Butterfly Pendant Necklace

Length: 17.75"

Alonso Luis

(44)

$169.99 Wholesale

$169.99

Blue Metamorphosis, Blue Ceramic and Sterling Silver Butterfly Pendant Necklace

Length: 19.5"

Alonso Luis

(44)

$169.99 Wholesale

$169.99

Eternal Green, Hand-Painted Green Brass Pendant Necklace from Armenia

Ani Rashoyan

$159 Wholesale

$159

Cobalt Delight, Hand-Painted Cobalt Ceramic and Tiger's Eye Beaded Necklace

Length: 20.5"

Monica Vazquez

(15)

$139.99 Wholesale

$139.99

Gold-plated enamel pendant necklace, 'The Pisces Emblem' - Painted 18k Gold-Plated Pisces Enamel Pendant Necklace

Bestseller

The Pisces Emblem, Painted 18k Gold-Plated Pisces Enamel Pendant Necklace

Karno Davoudian

$139 Wholesale

$139

Gold-plated enamel pendant necklace, 'The Gemini Emblem' - Painted 18k Gold-Plated Gemini Enamel Pendant Necklace

Bestseller

The Gemini Emblem, Painted 18k Gold-Plated Gemini Enamel Pendant Necklace

Karno Davoudian

$139 Wholesale

$139

The Virgo Emblem, Painted 18k Gold-Plated Virgo Enamel Pendant Necklace

Karno Davoudian

$139 Wholesale

$139

The Libra Emblem, Painted 18k Gold-Plated Libra Enamel Pendant Necklace

Karno Davoudian

$139 Wholesale

$139

The Cancer Emblem, Painted 18k Gold-Plated Cancer Enamel Pendant Necklace

Karno Davoudian

$139 Wholesale

$139

The Leo Emblem, Painted 18k Gold-Plated Leo Enamel Pendant Necklace

Karno Davoudian

$139 Wholesale

$139

The Aries Emblem, Painted 18k Gold-Plated Aries Enamel Pendant Necklace

Karno Davoudian

$139 Wholesale

$139

The Scorpio Emblem, Painted 18k Gold-Plated Scorpio Enamel Pendant Necklace

Karno Davoudian

$139 Wholesale

$139

The Taurus Emblem, Painted 18k Gold-Plated Taurus Enamel Pendant Necklace

Karno Davoudian

$139 Wholesale

$139

The Sagittarius Emblem, Painted 18k Gold-Plated Sagittarius Enamel Pendant Necklace

Karno Davoudian

$139 Wholesale

$139

The Capricorn Emblem, Painted 18k Gold-Plated Capricorn Enamel Pendant Necklace

Karno Davoudian

$139 Wholesale

$139

The Aquarius Emblem, Painted 18k Gold-Plated Aquarius Enamel Pendant Necklace

Karno Davoudian

$139 Wholesale

$139

Everlasting Orange, Hand-Painted Orange Leafy Brass Pendant Necklace

Ani Rashoyan

$129 Wholesale

$129

Rainbow Hummingbird, Heart-Shaped Marble Pendant Necklace

Length: 15.75"

Josefina and Cecilia

(9)

$119.99 Wholesale

$119.99

Talavera Butterfly, Talavera Ceramic Butterfly Pendant Necklace from Mexico

Length: 16.5"

Alonso Luis

(44)

$119.99 Wholesale

~~$149.99~~ $119.99

Everlasting Forest, Hand-Painted Orange and Green Leafy Brass Pendant Necklace

Ani Rashoyan

$119 Wholesale

$119

Cobalt Quintet, Hand Painted Ceramic Pendant Necklace with Lapis Lazuli

Length: 19.5"

Monica Vazquez

(15)

$116.99 Wholesale

~~$129.99~~ $116.99

Eastern Suns, Ceramic Pendants on Artisan Crafted Indian Cotton Necklace

Length: 9.5"

Aditi

(17)

$114.99 Wholesale

$114.99

Facets of Hope, Blue and Golden-Toned Turquoise Pendant Necklace

Ani Rashoyan

$109.99 Wholesale

$109.99

Hummingbird Heart, Hand-Painted Heart-Shaped Hummingbird Wood Pendant Necklace

Josefina and Cecilia

(9)

$107.99 Wholesale

$107.99

Hummingbird Bloom, Hummingbird Floral Hand-Painted Wood Pendant Necklace

Josefina and Cecilia

(9)

$107.99 Wholesale

$107.99

Hummingbird Love, Hand-Painted Wood Pendant Necklace with Hummingbird Motif

Josefina and Cecilia

(9)

$107.99 Wholesale

$107.99

Hummingbird Floral Heart, Hand-Painted Hummingbird Heart Floral Wood Pendant Necklace

Josefina and Cecilia

(9)

$107.99 Wholesale

$107.99

Red Spot Fantasy, Hand-Painted Howlite Pendant Necklace with Red Spot Design

Josefina and Cecilia

(9)

$107.99 Wholesale

$107.99

Gold-accented howlite pendant necklace, 'Rainbow Affair' - Gold-Accented Rainbow Heart Howlite Pendant Necklace

Bestseller

Rainbow Affair, Gold-Accented Rainbow Heart Howlite Pendant Necklace

Josefina and Cecilia

(9)

$104.99 Wholesale

$104.99

Wood pendant necklace, 'Hummingbird Realm' - Hand-Painted Bird-Themed Pinewood Pendant Necklace

Bestseller

Hummingbird Realm, Hand-Painted Bird-Themed Pinewood Pendant Necklace

Josefina and Cecilia

(9)

$104.99 Wholesale

$104.99

Resilient Realm, Hand-Painted Floral Dragonfly Pinewood Pendant Necklace

Josefina and Cecilia

(9)

$104.99 Wholesale

$104.99

Passionate Realm, Hand-Painted Romantic Pinewood Pendant Necklace

Josefina and Cecilia

(9)

$104.99 Wholesale

$104.99

Primaveral Realm, Hand-Painted Floral Heart-Themed Pinewood Pendant Necklace

Josefina and Cecilia

(9)

$104.99 Wholesale

$104.99

Majestic Affair, Gold-Accented Heart-Shaped Blue Howlite Pendant Necklace

Josefina and Cecilia

(9)

$104.99 Wholesale

$104.99

Majestic Kingfisher, Ceramic and Cotton Bird Pendant Necklace in Blue from India

Length: 15.25"

Aditi

(17)

$99.99 Wholesale

$99.99

Nightingale Song, Colorful Ceramic and Cotton Bird Pendant Necklace from India

Length: 15.25"

Aditi

(17)

$99.99 Wholesale

$99.99

Shiva's Trident, Colorful Ceramic and Cotton Pendant Necklace form India

Length: 15.25"

Aditi

(17)

$99.99 Wholesale

$99.99

Blue Angler, Ceramic and Cotton Fish Pendant Necklace in Blue from India

Length: 15.25"

Aditi

(17)

$99.99 Wholesale

$99.99

Blue Senses, Eco-Friendly Blue Recycled Paper and Brass Beaded Necklace

Somyot Sawasdee

(19)

$97.99 Wholesale

$97.99

Leafy Scenes, Leaf-Themed Handcrafted Calabash Gourd Pendant Necklace

Ruth Guevara

(1)

$94.99 Wholesale

$94.99

Sunflower Scenes, Sunflower Handcrafted Calabash Gourd Pendant Necklace

Ruth Guevara

(1)

$94.99 Wholesale

$94.99

Rainbow Pride Triangle, Unisex Sterling Silver LGBTQ+ Themed Pendant Necklace

Size: 23.5" Inner Circ.

Oscar Figueroa Escorcia

(704)

$89.99 Wholesale

$89.99

Rainbow Pride, Unisex Sterling Silver Cord LGBTQ-themed Pendant Necklace

Size: 23.5" Inner Circ.

Oscar Figueroa Escorcia

(704)

$84.99 Wholesale

$84.99

Pink Senses, Eco-Friendly Pink Recycled Paper and Brass Beaded Necklace

Somyot Sawasdee

(19)

$84.99 Wholesale

$84.99

Loving Hope, Black Wood Pendant Necklace with Hand-Painted Butterflies

Mariana Barranco

(5)

Welcome!

Unique Gifts

Curated Gift Boxes

Build Your Own Gift Sets

Express Gifts

Gift Cards

Special Collections

Materials

Collections

Popular & New

Seasonal Collections

Decor Collections

Special Collections

Discipline

Subject Matter

Color Themes

Special Collections

Necklaces Hand Painted

Related Categories

Unique Finds

The Village Council

Featured Reviews

The Fall Catalog