Gold layer
Top
14k Gold-Filled
Up to 15% of total weight
Gold-Plated
Ultra-thin layer
Ships in 2–3 working days
14-day right of withdrawal
Julia and about 11.500+ Nature lovers love & trust ByCarola.
Handcrafted · Signature Collection
Raw Emerald Necklace
May birthstone · handmade
incl. VAT, plus shipping
-
- 925 sterling silver or 14K gold-filled
- Fine-link chain, your choice of 45 cm (17.7 in) or 40 cm (15.7 in)
- Stone size: about 8 to 10 mm
- Pendant and chain are water-resistant
- May birthstone
Handmade in Germany
Stone From Brazil
In stock
Real & unpolished
Lumière very good
With you in 3–6 working days (DE)
Real customer photos
Thousands of happy customers since 2019
The Stone: Emerald from the Beryl Family
Emerald is the green variety of the mineral beryl, a beryllium aluminum silicate. Its color comes from tiny traces of chromium and vanadium that replace some of the aluminum ions in the crystal lattice. Pure beryl is colorless; only these trace elements turn it green. With a Mohs hardness of 7.5 to 8, the stone is hard, but fine internal stress fractures make it prone to breaking. It crystallizes in the hexagonal system, forms columnar crystals, and almost always carries a network of delicate inclusions that the trade calls jardin, French for garden. Its natural crystal faces have a glassy luster.
Material and Craftsmanship
You can choose between 925 sterling silver and a warm 14K gold-filled setting. 14K gold-filled is a real, thick layer of gold that is firmly bonded to a base metal. Unlike simple gold plating, which is applied only wafer-thin, wears off over time, and fades fairly quickly, 14K gold-filled keeps its warm gold tone for years. The wire is wrapped by hand around each raw stone individually, so the setting follows the natural shape of your crystal. The pendant hangs on a fine chain that keeps the stone calmly in the center. You choose the length when you order: 45 cm (17.7 in) or 40 cm (15.7 in).
Meaning of the Stone
As early as ancient Egypt, emerald was mined at Mons Smaragdus east of the Nile, in mines traditionally linked to Cleopatra. For centuries, the green gemstone was seen as a symbol of spring. By tradition, it stands for loyalty, hope, and clear perception. As the birthstone for May and the stone of the zodiac sign Taurus, it also makes an especially personal gift.
Caring for Your Emerald Necklace
The pendant and chain are water-resistant and suitable for everyday wear. To make your necklace last as long as possible, though, you should avoid prolonged contact with salt water and chlorinated water, as well as perfume, lotions, and harsh cleaning products. After swimming in the ocean or a pool, it's best to rinse your emerald necklace with clean water and dry it carefully.
Emerald shouldn't be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner or with steam, because the fine fractures in the crystal are sensitive to vibration and heat. Also protect the stone from sudden changes in temperature. Store your necklace dry and apart from harder pieces of jewelry. This way, the deep green of the raw stone and the surface of your necklace will stay beautiful for a long time.
From the beryl family
Emerald is the green variety of the mineral beryl with a Mohs hardness of 7.5 to 8.
Green through chrome
Traces of chromium and vanadium in the crystal lattice give the beryl its characteristic emerald green.
May birthstone
Emerald is the birthstone of May and is traditionally associated with the zodiac sign Taurus.
Emerald was already mined at Mons Smaragdus in ancient Egypt. Traditionally it stands for loyalty, hope and clear perception. As the birthstone of May, it is a personal gift.
100% genuine raw emerald
- 925 sterling silver or 14K gold-filled
- Fine-link chain, your choice of 45 cm (17.7 in) or 40 cm (15.7 in)
- Stone size: about 8 to 10 mm
- Pendant and chain are water-resistant
- May birthstone
The Lumière Factor is my transparent assessment of each stone's play of light. Each stone is rated in 4 categories of 0 to 25 points.
This is how it is evaluated
- Transparency · How clearly does light pass through the stone? Cloudiness, inclusions, cloud formation. (max. 25)
- Color depth · Saturation and vibrancy, dull versus bright, cool versus warm. (max. 25)
- Surface Integrity · Natural shape without chips, intact edges. (max. 25)
- liveliness · Sparkle and movement in daylight and candlelight. (max. 25)
0-60
Basic
61-75
Good
76-89
Very good
90-100
Exceptional
This necklace
Very good
Transparency
19 / 25
Some clearly translucent, some densely grown
Color depth
23 / 25
Deep emerald green, strongly saturated
Surface Integrity
21 / 25
Intact natural form, grown crystal surfaces
liveliness
19 / 25
Glassy shimmer on the raw surfaces
In total
82 / 100
Germany
3–6 working days
€4.95 · free shipping from €150
Worldwide
5–10 working days
from €6.95 · Europe free from €170
- Handmade for you in 2 to 3 working days, then shipped with DHL and tracking
- Carefully packed in the Handmade Art gift box
- USA €35, rest of the world €10 shipping
Yes. Emerald is the official birthstone for May and is traditionally linked to the zodiac sign Taurus. It was already mined at Mons Smaragdus in ancient Egypt. By tradition it is said to stand for loyalty, hope and clear perception, which makes it a personal gift for anyone born in May.
A genuine emerald is the green variety of the mineral beryl and almost always has a fine network of inclusions, known in the trade as jardin. This natural, irregular pattern is exactly what sets it apart from green-dyed glass or quartz, which usually look strikingly even. With this necklace you wear a genuine, uncut emerald crystal in its natural shape.
Emerald is one of the four classic precious stones and has been treasured since ancient times. By tradition it is said to stand for loyalty, hope and clear perception, and many cultures saw it as the stone of spring and growth. These associations come from cultural history and should be understood as tradition.
14K gold-filled is the higher-quality choice, and that's exactly why I only offer 14K gold-filled. Gold-plated jewelry has just a wafer-thin layer of gold on top, which wears off over time and fades faster. 14K gold-filled, on the other hand, has a much thicker, firmly bonded layer of gold. It costs a little more than plating, but it lasts so long that you won't have to keep buying new necklaces, and you can enjoy its warm gold tone for years.
The pendant and chain are water-resistant. Still, avoid prolonged contact with perfume, lotions and harsh cleaners, don't use ultrasonic cleaners, and keep it away from high heat and sudden temperature changes. Store the necklace dry and separate from other jewelry, because with a Mohs hardness of 7.5 to 8, emerald is hard, but fine fissures in the crystal make it sensitive to hard knocks.
The Difference
Gold-Filled vs. Gold-Plated
Best choice
Our Choice
14k Gold-Filled
Standard Jewelry
Gold-Plated
Gold layer
Up to 15% of total weight
Ultra-thin layer
Durability
Lasts many years with good care
Often wears off within months
Tarnishing
Rarely tarnishes
Discolours quickly
Wear
Keeps its new look
Flakes and wears off
Skin tolerance
Gentle on the skin
Can irritate the skin
Value
High quality and long-lasting
Cheaper, but less durable
Durability
Top
14k Gold-Filled
Lasts many years with good care
Gold-Plated
Often wears off within months
Tarnishing
Top
14k Gold-Filled
Rarely tarnishes
Gold-Plated
Discolours quickly
Wear
Top
14k Gold-Filled
Keeps its new look
Gold-Plated
Flakes and wears off
Skin tolerance
Top
14k Gold-Filled
Gentle on the skin
Gold-Plated
Can irritate the skin
Value
Top
14k Gold-Filled
High quality and long-lasting
Gold-Plated
Cheaper, but less durable
Origin of the stones
Gemstones with a clear conscience.
Every stone has a journey and I want that journey to be fair and transparent.
Consciously sourced
Hand-set
Nature-friendly
Raw natural crystal
Origin · Emerald
Minas Gerais, Brazil
The emerald in this necklace typically comes from the biotite slates of Minas Gerais in Brazil. Each raw stone is set by hand in my studio.
Carola
Founder · Designer
The woman behind Handmade Art
Hi, I'm Carola.
I am a biomedical scientist by profession and an artist by profession. In my studio in Oberhausen, I make each necklace by hand, stone by stone, bead by bead.
8+
Years of craftsmanship
1.672
wearers
100%
Unique pieces
Manufacturer Handmade Art by Carola · Carola Schade · Biefangstraße 1, 46149 Oberhausen, Germany · hello@by-carola.com
Good to you too
These pieces fit that
Hand-picked from my collection, each piece perfect for layering or as a gift.
Raw Emerald Necklace
Gold / With chain / 45 cm
