CollectionsJul 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jemma Wynne’s ‘Forme’ NecklaceCollectionsAug 01, 2025
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.
The story behind this week’s Piece of the Week begins on the day that Aphrodite, the goddess of love, had a terrible premonition.
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.’”
Related stories will be right here …
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.
More on Collections
The Latest
Policies & IssuesNov 04, 2025
Supreme Court to Hear Tariffs Case WednesdayAhead of the hearing, two industry organizations co-signed an amicus brief urging the court to declare Trump’s tariffs unlawful.
MajorsNov 04, 2025
Danny Clark to Become Stuller CEO, Succeeding Matt StullerStuller COO Belit Myers will take on the additional role of president, with all changes effective at the start of 2026.
ColumnistsNov 04, 2025
Peter Smith: What Do Birds Have to Do With the Price of Gold? Smith cautions retailers against expending too much energy on things they can’t control, like the rising price of gold.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America Aligns New Mission to Create Meaningful Impact for MembersFrom educational programs, advocacy, and recent MJSA affiliation, Jewelers of America drives progress that elevates businesses of all sizes.
TrendsNov 04, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Fall Colors for November BirthdaysCitrine and topaz are birthstones fit for fall as the leaves change color and the holiday season approaches.
Weekly QuizOct 30, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsNov 04, 2025
Weston Jewelers Heads to Fort LauderdaleThe family-owned jeweler will open its fourth store in Florida in late 2027.
CrimeNov 03, 2025
Men Dressed as Construction Workers Burglarize Jeweler’s Home The NYPD is looking for three men who stole a safe and jewelry valued at $3.2 million from the home of a jeweler in Jamaica Hills, Queens.
MajorsNov 03, 2025
Matthew Rosenheim Takes Over as JA Board ChairThe trade organization also announced its executive committee and five new directors.
AuctionsNov 03, 2025
Kashmir Sapphire Ring Tops Christie's Online AuctionThe ring, set with a nearly 17-carat Kashmir cabochon sapphire, sold for $1 million.
TrendsOct 31, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Spinner Fit for ‘Frankenstein’This “Mother Father” spinner necklace from Heavenly Vices Fine Jewelry draws inspiration from Victorian Era jewelry.
CrimeOct 31, 2025
5 More Arrested in Louvre Heist, Jewelry Still Missing The suspects were rounded up in Paris and its suburbs on Wednesday night, but none of the stolen jewels were recovered with them.
Recorded WebinarsOct 31, 2025
Watch: How to Master Google Reviews for Your BusinessExperts share top tips on how to encourage positive reviews and handle negative feedback.
Supplier BulletinOct 30, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
CrimeOct 30, 2025
29-Year-Old Man Charged in Multiple Seattle-Area Smash and Grabs The suspect faces charges in the August robbery of Menashe & Sons Jewelers and is accused of committing smash and grabs at two pawn shops.
Lab-GrownOct 30, 2025
Alison Lou’s New Collection Uses Lab-Grown Diamonds and ResinThe “Lumière Fine” collection was born from designer Alison Chemla’s interest in the transformative power of light.
TrendsOct 30, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: A Haunted HalloweenShow off your spooky side with these 12 festive jewels.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2025
Jewelers Mutual to Host Jewelry Panel at Frazier History MuseumThe “Brilliant & Beyond” panel coincides with the “Love & Marriage” exhibition curated by Davis Jewelers in Louisville, Kentucky.
Events & AwardsOct 29, 2025
October Brings Little Change to Consumer Confidence Consumers are feeling more optimistic about their present situation while the short-term future remains a little scary.
Events & AwardsOct 29, 2025
Couture Partners With Time to WatchesThe company, which organizes a watch show in Geneva every spring, will bring a selection of watch brands to the 2026 Couture show in Vegas.
TrendsOct 29, 2025
Beth Bernstein Releases Vintage Jewelry Guide“The Modern Guide to Vintage Jewellery” follows the evolution of jewelry design from the ‘30s to the ‘80s with buying and styling advice.
EditorsOct 29, 2025
Why Creepy, Crawly Bugs Inspire Beautiful JewelryFor her annual Halloween story, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow explores the symbolism behind spiders, beetles, and other eerie insects.
Events & AwardsOct 28, 2025
Meet the 2026 Gem Award NomineesNotable jewelry designers, members of the press, and retailers are up for an award at next year’s gala.
Recorded WebinarsOct 28, 2025
Watch: The State of the Jewelry Industry Leaders from Jewelers of America and National Jeweler discuss the gold price, tariffs, and more in this one-hour webinar.
AuctionsOct 27, 2025
Napoleon Left This Brooch Behind, And Now It’s Up For AuctionIt is part of Sotheby’s “Royal & Noble Jewels” sale along with an ornate hair ornament and an old mine-cut light pink diamond ring.
CrimeOct 27, 2025
Arrests Made in Louvre Jewel Heist One of the individuals was apprehended at the airport as he was trying to flee the country.
MajorsOct 27, 2025
Target to Cut 1,800 Corporate JobsThe retailer, which has faced struggling sales in recent quarters, is looking to streamline its operations.
