Piece of the Week: Hernsdorf’s ‘Tears of Aphrodite’ Necklace
The necklace uses spinel drops to immortalize the moment Aphrodite’s tears mixed with her lover Adonis’ blood after he was fatally wounded.

According to Greek mythology, Aphrodite had warned her lover Adonis to not go hunting, but he ignored her and was fatally wounded by an enraged boar.
As Aphrodite held his body, her tears fell, mixing with his blood and causing red anemones to appear. Aphrodite pleaded with Zeus to let Adonis live, which he answered by allowing Adonis to spend half of each year with her and half in the underworld.
In the end, the myth represents the spirit of vegetation, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica, as nature decays every winter and comes back to life in the spring.
The “Tears of Aphrodite” necklace by Hernsdorf looks to this myth, immortalizing the moment when Aphrodite’s tears mixed with Adonis’ blood through 175.74 carats of Burmese spinel drops.
The one-of-a-kind necklace, and third variation of this theme, features the spinel drops alongside 22-karat yellow gold tubular beads and a barrel pendant with 2.21 carats of brilliant-cut, flush-set diamonds.
“My work almost always begins with a choice of the gemstone or gemstones involved in the design. From there it evolves, and once I see the ultimate finished piece in my mind’s eye, various connections to any number of inspirations become clear,” said Dale Hernsdorf, founder of her namesake brand who crafts every piece in her downtown Los Angeles studio.
“When creating the ‘Tears of Aphrodite’ [necklace], I began with a group of spinel drops the color of pigeon blood rubies. As I worked with the spinels, I started to think of them as being shaped like teardrops, which brought to mind the myth of Aphrodite and Adonis. Hence, the necklace aptly became named as the ‘Tears of Aphrodite.’”
Hernsdorf began looking to Greek mythology when naming her pieces after working with ancient coins in pieces that were later named after various gods and goddesses.
“I often wondered what these objects would say if they could talk. How much history, how many hands, has a 2,000-year-old coin touched?” said Hernsdorf.
The Tears of Aphrodite necklace is price upon request.
It is available on the Hernsdorf website, along with the second variation on this theme which uses Russian emerald drops.
The Latest

The insurance company’s previous president and CEO, Scott Murphy, has split his role and will continue as CEO.

The nearly six-month pause of operations at its Kagem emerald mine earlier this year impacted the miner’s first-half results.

The addition of Yoakum, who will lead Kay and Peoples, was one of three executive appointments Signet announced Thursday.

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

The diamond miner and marketer warned last week that it expected to be in the red after significantly cutting prices in Q2.


Jewelers of America’s 35th annual design contest recognized creativity, artistry, style, and excellence.

Tratner succeeds Andie Weinman, who will begin stepping back from the buying group’s day-to-day operations.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

The president made the announcement via Truth Social Wednesday, adding that India also will face a penalty for its dealings with Russia.

The luxury titan’s star brand Gucci continued to struggle amid a "tough" environment.

Its opening marks the completion of the retailer’s new 11,000-square-foot store in the Texas capital.

Respondents shared concerns about tariffs and commentary on the “Big Beautiful Bill.”

“Making a Killing in Diamonds” tells the story of Mimi Rosen, the disappearance of a scientist, and the murder of lab-grown diamond CEO.

Senior Editor Lenore Fedow learned a lot when she took a behind-the-scenes factory tour with the jewelry brand earlier this year.

The first-time exhibitors, set to debut at the New York City show, share a devotion to craftsmanship, storytelling, and material integrity.

The online auction house’s September sale will feature rough Brazilian emeralds of various qualities.

She’ll lead an executive committee consisting of President-Elect Bryan Moeller, Mitchell Clark, Bill Farmer, and Larry Rickert.

Announced Sunday, the deal will set the tax on goods imported into the United States from the European Union at 15 percent.

The retailer will refer its customers to WonderCare, founded by venture capitalist and watch collector Kevin O’Leary.

The jeweler’s largest store yet is set to open in Little Rock next fall.

Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 21, and buyer pre-registration will be available until Sept. 7.

Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.

Mark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.

While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.

The “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.

The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.

JSA has received reports of mobs swarming jewelry stores, driving cars into the storefront or smashing through the windows.