Over $143.6 million USD sent to artisans so far!
Artisan Subscription Box
Passport Club
Member Zone
Bestseller
Bestseller
Bestseller
Bestseller
Bestseller
Bestseller
Bestseller
Bestseller
Bestseller
Member Zone
Every purchase supports NOVICA's mission to spread happiness by celebrating exploration, empowering artists, and preserving global culture. Our Mission
Pearl Necklaces
416 itemsExplore NOVICA's Pearl Necklaces Collection. From delicate round pendants to baroque embellished statements, you will discover unique handcrafted artisan designs that showcase the lustre and the beauty of this treasured jewelry classic.
The world’s best handmade jewelry Every piece has a story
Related Categories
Unique Finds
The Village Council
Your answers straight from the village experts
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Featured Reviews
Jeffrey
Sep 19, 2019
For those who appreciate the forest and Pearls
Another beautiful piece that communicates simplicity yet elegance, and reflecting quietness in the Forest. Love the addition of pearls.
Jean
Aug 21, 2017
Gorgeous pearl & garnet pendant necklace
This is absolutely lovely! I liked it so much that i ordered two more and intend to convert them into earrings to match the pendant! PLEASE :PLEASE PLEASE ----- consider increasing the size of some of your exquisite bracelets to fit the wrists of us larger ladies. Many of us wear size 8. And most of the beautiful bracelets on this site only fit sizes 5.5, 6 or 7. I have no doubt that were some of these lovely bracelets made in larger sizes, many many more would be in demand!! Thanks. And i sure do hope that this plea reaches some of the very talented artists on this site.
Adrienne
Mar 2, 2021
Beautiful Piece
I love beautiful settings and this is one of them. The stones are lovely and the style is very artistic. Good quality too.
Featured Artist
Shanker Sterling silver and gemstone jewelry
"I started designing and crafting sterling silver jewelry and slowly, with the help of family and friends, I was able to establish myself in the field."
"Hello, my name is Shanker and I come from a farming background. I studied up to 10th grade and, as a family tradition, I was expected to work... read more
Related Articles
More useful facts
The Pearl Necklace
Prized for their beauty since ancient times, pearls possess a mesmerizing luster and natural glow. In the Roman Empire, pearls represented social status and wealth, and Cleopatra is said to have owned beautiful gems. In Greek mythology, Aphrodite, the goddess of love, was born from the sea. When she emerged, the droplets of water on her body became pearls.
Pearl necklaces come in a variety of styles. The pearl choker measures between 16 and 18 inches in length while pearl necklaces between 17 and 19 inches are princess necklaces. Those from 20 to 24 inches are known as matinee style, and the opera pearl necklace varies from 28 to 32 inches in length.
Novica's pearl necklace collection features works from talented artisans and jewelers around the world. From the classic pearl strand to beaded necklaces, pearls go everywhere with refinement and style. Pearl hemispheres appear in flower earrings and pearl rings. Naturally, you'll find pearl bracelets, rings and earrings to complement them, all designed and crafted by hand.
The Summer Catalog
Discover our unique collection of beautiful, handmade objects from around the world, inspired by more than a century of exploration.
SHOP THE CATALOG
