CollectionsMay 03, 2024
Piece of the Week: A “Bit of LUV” for the DerbyCollectionsMay 10, 2024
Piece of the Week: Carina Hardy’s ‘Birth of Venus’ Necklace
As a token of womanhood, this necklace depicts when Venus was born from the sea.
Carina Hardy’s “Birth of Venus” necklace sculpted in 18-karat yellow gold with three diamonds ($11,475)
With Mother’s Day around the corner, womanhood is at the forefront of many people’s minds.
The “Birth of Venus” necklace combines the strength and softness of women in this depiction of the 15th-century Sandro Botticelli painting.
The brand’s founder and namesake, Carina Hardy, transformed Botticelli’s artwork into a necklace for her “Venus” collection.
It portrays the moment when Venus was born from sea foam in a scallop shell, which some art historians recognize as a symbolization of the birth of beauty and love.
Hardy was inspired by the resilience and grace of women when designing this piece, said the brand.
Using 18-karat yellow gold as her medium, she created a piece that is at the intersection of artwork and jewelry.
She sculpted the scene into a water drop-shaped pendant, resembling a womb, with the goddess of love at its center, accented by three diamonds.
“We were working off the idea of water and its organic sculptural essence as well as exploring very figurative, literal artistic representations of Venus, the goddess of love and fertility that show up in many different cultures throughout the world, across time,” said Hardy.
“When we started working on Botticelli’s Venus, we had one of those wonderfully joyous and pleasurable, but elusive ‘ah ha!’ moments. Venus rises from the water; water carries her to shore in a seashell. So, we decided to place the figurative Venus in organic sculptural water drops, as women are very connected to the rhythms of water around us and within us.”
Related stories will be right here …
The “Birth of Venus” necklace combines the strength and softness of women in this depiction of the 15th-century Sandro Botticelli painting.
The brand’s founder and namesake, Carina Hardy, transformed Botticelli’s artwork into a necklace for her “Venus” collection.
It portrays the moment when Venus was born from sea foam in a scallop shell, which some art historians recognize as a symbolization of the birth of beauty and love.
Hardy was inspired by the resilience and grace of women when designing this piece, said the brand.
Using 18-karat yellow gold as her medium, she created a piece that is at the intersection of artwork and jewelry.
She sculpted the scene into a water drop-shaped pendant, resembling a womb, with the goddess of love at its center, accented by three diamonds.
“We were working off the idea of water and its organic sculptural essence as well as exploring very figurative, literal artistic representations of Venus, the goddess of love and fertility that show up in many different cultures throughout the world, across time,” said Hardy.
“When we started working on Botticelli’s Venus, we had one of those wonderfully joyous and pleasurable, but elusive ‘ah ha!’ moments. Venus rises from the water; water carries her to shore in a seashell. So, we decided to place the figurative Venus in organic sculptural water drops, as women are very connected to the rhythms of water around us and within us.”
Carina Hardy is the daughter of designer John Hardy.
She launched her first brand, Elppin, in 2018 before establishing Carina Hardy with her partner Tavish earlier this year.
The “Birth of Venus” necklace retails for $11,475 and is available on the Carina Hardy website.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Collections
The Latest
CrimeAug 25, 2026
Florida Woman Scammed Out of $1.5M in Jewelry, Precious MetalsTwo suspects have been arrested in connection with the complex phone scam.
ColumnistsAug 25, 2026
Proof Before Purchase: The Gen Z Way to BuyIn her first column for National Jeweler, Jennifer Shaheen asks jewelers if they know how to connect with the next generation of consumers.
Events & AwardsAug 25, 2026
SSEF Opens 2026 Applications for Gemology Education ScholarshipsThe annual awards cover tuition for an on-site educational course at the Swiss lab, as well as flights and lodging.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
TrendsAug 25, 2026
Brent Neale Celebrates Blackberry Farm’s Anniversary With JewelryThe jeweler partnered with the Tennessee resort to honor its 50th anniversary with limited-edition blackberry pendants and earrings.
Weekly QuizAug 20, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsAug 24, 2026
Q&A: Reeds Jewelers VP Genna Zimmer on 80 Years in BusinessThe third-generation jeweler shared how the North Carolina retailer is celebrating this milestone and the love story that started it all.
Events & AwardsAug 24, 2026
Rio Grande, MetalWerx Host Argentium Silver WorkshopThe class, led by renowned metalsmith Cynthia Eid, highlighted Argentium silver as an alternative to gold amid high prices.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
Events & AwardsAug 24, 2026
JIS Miami Opens Fall 2026 RegistrationThe show is slated for Oct. 16-19 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
SurveysAug 21, 2026
These Are 2026’s Hottest Retailers, Says NRFThe retailers at the top of the list offer affordable products and fun, discovery-fueled experiences.
WatchesAug 21, 2026
Bremont Names Former Vacheron Constantin Exec CMODaniel Bing was formerly the marketing director for the Americas at Vacheron Constantin.
PodcastsAug 20, 2026
Episode 8: Diamond Industry Update With David Bonaparte & Ronnie VanderLindenThe industry veterans join the podcast to discuss diamond marketing, the FTC Jewelry Guides, and lobbying for lower tariffs.
TechnologyAug 20, 2026
A New AI-Powered Gemstone Identification App Is HereFounder Vik Westermann said the app is a “starting point” to inspire people to work with appraisers and gem labs, not replace them.
AuctionsAug 20, 2026
Storied Unicorn Brooch Up for Auction Gallops to New Home The Verdura brooch, which belonged to the late Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, was sold to a private collector in Asia.
Events & AwardsAug 20, 2026
MJSA Education Foundation Names 5 Scholarship WinnersThe five students were awarded a total of $10,000 through the nonprofit’s 2026 “Future of Jewelry Making” scholarship.
MajorsAug 20, 2026
Plumb Club Elects 2026-2027 BoardSteven Lerche is now beginning his term as the youngest member to become president of The Plumb Club’s elected executive committee.
MajorsAug 19, 2026
Mike Alexander To Succeed Scott Murphy as Jewelers Mutual CEO Murphy will retire at the end of the year and Alexander, currently the company’s president, will take over at the start of 2027.
Policies & IssuesAug 19, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Embraces Dupes With Trade-In ProgramThe jeweler is encouraging customers who own lookalike rings to come into the store and trade them for credit towards an authentic piece.
MajorsAug 19, 2026
Zales Wants You to Wear Fine Jewelry Every DayThe new campaign, “You Are The Occasion,” discourages shoppers from saving their fine jewelry for special occasions only.
SourcingAug 19, 2026
Vasant Mehta, a Dedicated Diamond Industry Leader, Dies at 81Mehta led India’s GJEPC through the 2008 financial crisis and was respected worldwide for his wisdom, integrity, and knowledge.
CrimeAug 18, 2026
2 California Men Arrested in Fatal Vehicle Smash RobberyOne is the driver who allegedly crashed a car into a Sacramento jewelry store in April, striking a 71-year-old employee who later died.
ColumnistsAug 18, 2026
Peter Smith: The IKEA Effect and Bridal Branding In a new column, Peter Smith posits that people actually enjoy putting together IKEA furniture, and the same is true for engagement rings.
CrimeAug 18, 2026
Thieves Snatch $1M in Jewelry From New Jersey Jeweler9lakha Jewelers in Iselin, New Jersey, was the target of a smash-and-grab robbery on Aug. 8.
Lab-GrownAug 18, 2026
Ring Concierge, Kendall Jenner’s Tequila Brand Collab on GiveawayThe jeweler has partnered with 818 Tequila to gift lab-grown diamond studs to a bride-to-be and their bridal party.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
Exhibition on Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Studios to Open at The MetThe exhibition will feature more than 100 drawings of stained-glass lampshades, windows, and more, many created by women and émigrés.
CollectionsAug 17, 2026
Marquise Diamonds Dance in Spinelli Kilcollin’s ‘Wren’ CollectionMarquise-cut diamonds in drop charms are the center of the new collection, reflecting the movement of a dancer in modular styles.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
There’s a New Jewelry Show Coming to FloridaThe inaugural Fort Lauderdale Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show will be held from Jan. 28 through Feb. 1, 2027.
