Three rough-cut Herkimer quartz crystals cascade in graduated bezels, each stone retaining its natural double-terminated facets. Hand-set in India and finished with 18k micron gold plating for a warm, lasting glow.
- Material: Gold-plated brass with Herkimer quartz
- Size: About 1.625" long (Plus Hook) X 0.25"
- Details: Three organically shaped, bezel-set quartz crystals; lightweight French hook closure
- Origin / Craft: Handcrafted in India using 18k micron gold plating over brass
Every pair is one of a kind — the irregular silhouettes of the rough quartz mean no two earrings line up exactly the same. The Antique Gold bezels trace the stones' uneven edges by hand, and the linear drop catches light along the full length of the ear.
Care: Keep gold-plated brass dry and store in a soft pouch to protect the plating.
design: Three graduated Herkimer quartz crystals cascade below a French hook, each stone left in its rough, double-terminated form and traced with a hand-formed gold bezel that follows its natural edge rather than a die-cut shape.
size: About 1.625" long (plus hook) x 0.25" wide.
material: Gold-plated brass (18k micron gold plating) with Herkimer quartz.
features: Rough-cut, unfaceted quartz crystals, hand-formed bezels shaped to each stone's irregular edge, three-stone graduated drop, lightweight French hook closure, one-of-a-kind stone pairing
care: Keep the gold-plated brass dry, avoid contact with perfume and lotion, and store in a soft pouch to protect the plating.
disclaimer: Because each Herkimer quartz crystal is rough-cut and irregular, the size and facet pattern of the stones will vary slightly from pair to pair.
The Story
Herkimer quartz is prized for a trait ordinary quartz doesn't have: it grows as a double-terminated crystal, forming natural points at both ends without any cutting. That means the faceted look in these earrings is the crystal's own growth pattern, not lapidary work — the artisan's job is to set the stone as it came out of the ground, not to reshape it.
Setting a rough, unrepeating stone like this calls for hand bezel work rather than machine-stamped mounts, since no two crystals share the same outline. This is a long-standing strength of Indian goldsmithing: brass or silver bezels burnished by hand around a stone's actual perimeter, a skill that lets irregular and semi-precious material be set securely without needing to alter it.
Gold-plated brass jewelry is also a well-established category in Indian workshops, offering the weight and warmth of gold at an accessible price point while keeping the focus on the stonework and setting technique rather than the cost of the base metal.
Each earring starts with sorting loose rough Herkimer quartz by size and shape to find three stones that will graduate cleanly into a single drop. A goldsmith then hand-forms a brass bezel around each crystal's uneven perimeter — bending, fitting, and burnishing the metal edge by edge until it grips the stone's natural facets — since no pre-made setting could match the stone's irregular outline. Once bezel-set and linked with jump rings, the piece is finished with 18k micron gold plating for color and shine, then fitted with a simple French hook.
Craft & Materials
- Made In: India
- Craft Tradition: Hand-bezel-set gemstone jewelry
- Ideal For: Someone drawn to raw, unpolished stone shapes over uniform faceted gems
- Wear It With: Wear with solid-color tops or simple necklines so the graduated stones and gold bezels stay the focal point
- Purpose: Everyday wear, special occasions, gifting
- Gemstone: Herkimer Quartz
- Metal: Gold-plated brass (18k micron gold plating)
Herkimer quartz takes its name from Herkimer County, New York, where it was first documented, though the same double-terminated crystal habit is now found at deposits elsewhere. Unlike most quartz, it forms pointed at both ends with naturally occurring facets already in place, giving it unusual clarity and sparkle straight from the rock without any faceting by hand. That built-in brilliance, paired with its irregular, one-of-a-kind silhouette, is why it's often set whole rather than cut down to a standard shape.
Questions & Answers
Is this solid gold?
No — it's brass finished with 18k micron gold plating, which gives a warm, lasting gold tone at a more accessible price than solid gold.
How long will the gold plating last?
With normal wear and the care steps above (keeping the earrings dry and away from perfume or lotion), the plating holds its color well over time, though like any plated finish it will wear faster with heavy daily use or moisture exposure.
Will my two earrings match exactly?
Not stone-for-stone. Each Herkimer quartz crystal is rough-cut and naturally irregular, so the pair is coordinated in size and color but each earring's stones are individually shaped — that variation is part of working with raw crystal.
Are these heavy to wear?
No, they're built on a lightweight French hook and brass frame, so despite the three-stone drop they sit comfortably for extended wear.
Is the brass hypoallergenic?
The listing doesn't specify a hypoallergenic coating, so if you have sensitive ears or a nickel allergy, we'd recommend checking with us before purchase.
