Signature

Gemstone necklaces from the studio: 37 necklaces, 16 types of stone, three shapes

Every gemstone necklace in this collection is made by hand in my studio in Germany. You'll find 37 necklaces with 16 different stones here, each in 925 sterling silver or 14K gold-filled, water-resistant, from €119. For me, Signature means the pieces I most like to wear myself and make again and again. One stone, one fine chain, nothing else.

Which stones you can choose: from the moonstone necklace to the smoky quartz necklace

The moonstone necklace carries a white stone with a bluish shimmer, the birthstone for June. The rose quartz necklace is a soft pink, and the amethyst necklace is violet and the birthstone for February. The aquamarine necklace shows a light sea blue, the birthstone for March, and the emerald necklace a deep green for May. The rock crystal necklace is clear as water, the stone for the month of April.

Then there is the ruby necklace in deep red for July, the turquoise necklace in blue-green for December and the black tourmaline necklace, jet black and the birthstone for October. The labradorite necklace shifts between gray and bright blue depending on the light, the carnelian necklace is a warm orange, and the garnet necklace is dark red for January. The peridot necklace glows olive green for August, the citrine necklace yellow for November, the malachite necklace green with dark bands, and the smoky quartz necklace carries a brown, translucent stone. Whether a stone is untreated, heated or oiled is stated openly on every product page.

Birthstones from January to December: which gemstone necklace goes with which month

If you're giving a gemstone necklace as a birthday gift, the birthstone of the month is often the first choice. The table shows you the matching necklace from the studio for every month. Where I don't carry the official stone, the traditional alternative is listed, such as rock crystal alongside diamond for April or smoky quartz alongside topaz for November.

Raw, teardrop or cylinder

With the raw necklaces, the stone stays the way it grew, with its edges and small natural faces. I wrap wire around the top, and the setting follows its shape. This is how the raw moonstone necklace, the raw amethyst necklace and the raw rose quartz necklace are made, for example. The teardrops are polished smooth and drilled at the top. They hang freely from the chain and catch the light with their whole surface, for example as an aquamarine necklace, ruby necklace or turquoise necklace. The cylinders are cut with clean edges, drilled crosswise and sit directly on the chain, without a bail and without an extra setting, for example as a garnet necklace, emerald necklace or carnelian necklace. Each stone measures about 8 to 10 mm; only the moonstone is a little larger at 12 to 14 mm. For every gemstone necklace, the Lumière Factor rates the stone's transparency and depth of color.

925 sterling silver or 14K gold-filled, both water-resistant

For every gemstone necklace, you choose between 925 sterling silver and 14K gold-filled. 14K gold-filled is a thick, firmly bonded layer of gold that keeps its warm tone for years. I explain how it differs from gold plating in the Journal under 14K Gold-Filled or Gold-Plated. Pendant and chain are water-resistant and made for everyday wear. You choose the chain length when you order, 45 cm (17.7 in) or 40 cm (15.7 in), and every pendant is also available without a chain.

Which gemstone necklace suits you?

If you're not sure about the length, the article The right chain length for your neckline will help. A birthstone makes a personal gift, and the table above shows you the matching necklace for every month. If you'd rather wear a cultured pearl, you'll find heart, star and moon in the Perla collection. Depending on shape, metal and length, the necklaces cost €119 to €159, and the pendant alone starts at €69.