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.
Natural stone · Signature collection
Cylinder Smoky Quartz Necklace
November birthstone · water-resistant
incl. VAT, plus shipping
-
- 925 sterling silver or 14K gold-filled
- Fine 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
- November birthstone
Handmade in Germany
Stone From Brazil
In stock
Real & Treated
Lumière very good
With you in 3–6 working days (DE)
Real customer photos
Thousands of happy customers since 2019
The Stone: Smoky Quartz from the Quartz Family
Smoky quartz is the smoky brown to gray variety of the mineral quartz, chemically pure silicon dioxide. Its color does not come from a dye but from tiny traces of aluminum in the crystal lattice, where ionizing radiation creates color centers. Very dark stones are called morion. The enhancement recreates exactly this natural process: the smoky tone of this stone was deepened by irradiation and stays stable in normal wear. The cylinder on this necklace is pointed at both ends, so light travels through it lengthwise. With a Mohs hardness of 7, the stone is durable and well suited to everyday wear.
Material and Craftsmanship
You can choose between 925 sterling silver and a warm 14K gold-filled chain. 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 smoky quartz cylinder is threaded by hand directly onto the fine chain, with no added setting. That way, it lies flat and still against your skin. You choose the length when you order: 45 cm (17.7 in) or 40 cm (15.7 in).
Meaning of the Stone
In Scotland, smoky quartz has been made into jewelry for centuries under the name cairngorm, after the mountains where it was found. The name morion for the almost black variety goes back to Pliny the Elder. By tradition, smoky quartz stands for grounding, calm, and stability. As an alternative birthstone for November, it also makes a particularly personal gift.
Caring for Your Smoky Quartz Necklace
The pendant and chain are water-resistant and suitable for everyday wear. To make your necklace last as long as possible, though, avoid prolonged contact with salt water and chlorinated water, as well as perfume, lotions, and harsh cleaning products. After contact with seawater or pool water, it's best to rinse both with clean water and dry them carefully.
The stone should not be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner or with steam. Even more important: keep it away from high heat and long periods of direct sunlight, because both can lighten its smoky tone over time. Store your smoky quartz necklace dry and apart from harder pieces of jewelry. That way, its color and surface stay beautiful for a long time.
From the quartz family
Smoky quartz is the smoky brown variety of the mineral quartz and, like it, has a Mohs hardness of 7.
Color through radiation
Color centers on aluminum traces in the crystal lattice give the quartz its smoky tone, which was deepened here by irradiation.
November birthstone
Smoky quartz is considered an alternative birthstone for November and is made into jewelry in Scotland as Cairngorm.
In Scotland, smoky quartz has been made into jewelry as Cairngorm for centuries. Traditionally it stands for grounding, calm and stability and is considered an alternative birthstone for November.
100% genuine smoky quartz, color-enhanced
- 925 sterling silver or 14K gold-filled
- Fine 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
- November 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
23 / 25
Clearly translucent with a glassy sheen
Color depth
20 / 25
Warm smoky brown, evenly saturated
Surface Integrity
24 / 25
Cleanly ground edges, clear polish
liveliness
22 / 25
Glass fire along the facets in daylight
In total
89 / 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
The stone is a real smoky quartz, i.e. the brown variety of the mineral quartz. Its smoky tone was deepened by irradiation, a process that replicates the natural process in the rock. The color then sits firmly in the crystal lattice and remains permanently stable. I declare this refinement openly because many providers keep this secret.
The official birthstones for November are topaz and citrine. Smoky quartz is often used as a warm, earthy alternative for this month and is traditionally associated with the zodiac signs Scorpio and Sagittarius. Traditionally it stands for grounding, calm and stability, which makes it a personal gift for those born in November.
The cylinder is an elongated, polished stone with two pointed ends. This shape takes up the natural growth form of the quartz crystal and allows the light to travel lengthwise through the stone. Because that Pendant remains narrow, it is hardly bulky and sits quietly on the skin.
14K gold filled is the higher quality choice, which is why I only work with it. With gold-plated jewelry there is only a very thin layer of gold, which wears off over time and becomes pale more quickly. 14K gold filled has a significantly thicker, tightly bonded layer of gold. It costs a little more than gold plating, but keeps its warm tone for years.
Pendant and chain are water-resistant. However, avoid permanent contact with perfume, creams and aggressive cleaners and avoid ultrasonic baths. It is also important to keep the stone away from strong heat and long, direct sunlight, as both of these can lighten the smoky tone. Store the necklace dry and individually.
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
Handcrafted
Nature-friendly
Color refined
Origin · Smoky quartz
Minas Gerais, Brazil
The smoky quartz typically comes from the quartz deposits of Minas Gerais in Brazil before I hand-stretch each stone 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.
Cylinder Smoky Quartz Necklace
Gold / With chain / 45 cm
