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
Teardrop Carnelian Necklace
Genuine carnelian · 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
- Hand-set teardrop shape
Handmade in Germany
Stone from India
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: Carnelian from the Chalcedony Family
Carnelian is the orange-red to reddish-brown variety of chalcedony, a microcrystalline form of quartz with the chemical formula SiO2. Its color comes from very fine iron oxides embedded between the quartz fibers. Depending on their amount and distribution, the tone ranges from light orange to a rich reddish brown. A slightly cloudy color pattern is typical, and you can see it clearly when you hold this translucent teardrop up to the light. With a Mohs hardness of 6.5 to 7, the stone is hard and has no cleavage, which makes it an exceptionally good gemstone for everyday jewelry.
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 carnelian is cut and polished into a soft teardrop shape, so light travels deep into the stone and the color glows from within. Each teardrop is set and mounted individually by hand in my studio. The pendant hangs on a fine-link chain. You choose the length when you order: 45 cm (17.7 in) or 40 cm (15.7 in).
Meaning of the Stone
Carnelian is one of the oldest gemstones known to humankind. In ancient Egypt it adorned amulets and burial objects, and the Romans carved it into signet rings because hot sealing wax does not stick to its smooth surface. In the Middle Ages, Hildegard of Bingen counted it among the most important stones in her writings on gems. By tradition, it stands for drive, courage, and a zest for life.
Caring for Your Carnelian 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 the necklace with clean water and dry it carefully.
Carnelian should not be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner or with steam, and it should be protected from high heat and sudden changes in temperature. It's also best to avoid constant, intense sunlight so that its color stays the same for years. Store your necklace dry and apart from harder pieces of jewelry. That way, the warm orange-red of the stone and the surface of your necklace stay beautiful for a long time.
From the chalcedony family
Carnelian is the orange-red variety of chalcedony, a microcrystalline quartz with the formula SiO2.
Color through iron
The finest iron oxides between the quartz fibers produce the color, from light orange to deep reddish brown.
Stone of Seals
The Romans cut carnelian into signet rings because hot sealing wax would not stick to its smooth surface.
In ancient Egypt, carnelian adorned amulets and grave goods, and the Romans used it for signet rings. Traditionally, he stands for energy, courage and joy of life.
100% genuine carnelian, traditionally heated
- 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
- Hand-set teardrop shape
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
21 / 25
Translucent, shining clearly in the backlight
Color depth
24 / 25
Deep orange-red, rich and even
Surface Integrity
23 / 25
Flawlessly polished teardrop shape with no chips
liveliness
21 / 25
Warm inner glow in the 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
Carnelian is the orange-red to reddish-brown variety of chalcedony, a microcrystalline form of quartz with the formula SiO2. Its color comes from extremely fine iron oxides between the quartz fibers. Depending on the amount and distribution of these iron compounds, the shade ranges from light orange to a deep reddish brown.
The stone is genuine carnelian and has been heated in the traditional way. Heating permanently turns iron hydroxide into iron oxide, which deepens the red. This method has been known since ancient times: in India, people laid the raw stones out in the sun to do this. The stone is not dyed, irradiated or coated.
A large share of the orange stones on the market is dyed agate. Held up to the light, real carnelian shows cloudy, uneven color, while dyed agate often looks very even or shows sharply defined bands. For this necklace I use only genuine carnelian.
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 6.5 to 7, carnelian is durable but 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
Real & heated
Origin · Carnelian
Gujarat, India
The carnelian in this necklace typically comes from deposits in Gujarat, India, before each drop is hand-set 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.
Teardrop Carnelian Necklace
Gold / With chain / 45 cm
