Herkimer Diamond Chandelier Earrings

These Herkimer diamond chandelier earrings combine naturally faceted quartz crystals with bright hand hammered Argentium sterling silver for lots of light, sparkle and movement.

• Materials: Authentic Herkimer diamond quartz and solid Argentium sterling silver
• Size: Approx. 2.8" total length including ear wires; teardrop section drops approx. 1.25" from the ear wires and measures approx. 0.8" wide
• Weight: 6.4 grams per pair
• Ear wires: Handmade elongated Argentium sterling silver ear wires; standard hooks or lever backs available upon request

Herkimer diamonds are not actually diamonds. They are naturally occurring double terminated quartz crystals found in the Herkimer region of New York. What I especially love about them is that their beautiful faceted appearance is completely natural. Classic Herkimer crystals form with 18 natural faces and points at both ends, so all of that sparkle comes from the way the quartz grew rather than from being cut and faceted by hand.

For these earrings, I cut sterling silver teardrops and gave them a radiating hammered texture. Instead of a traditional dimpled hammer finish, the texture creates little linear marks that repeat around the silver. I polished everything to a bright shine, so those hammered surfaces catch the light beautifully along with the quartz.

I dangled a row of natural Herkimer diamonds across the bottom of each teardrop, using a slightly larger crystal in the center. Because the crystals retain their natural formations, each one has its own subtle variations in shape and size.

I finished these with handmade elongated ear wires because I wanted the teardrops to sit a little lower and give the earrings a longer, more dramatic silhouette. If you prefer a shorter drop, the ear wires can be changed to standard hooks or secure lever backs upon request.