Hera Keepsake Necklace
From
A$180.00
A small reliquary — a vessel worn close to the body to hold something personal, sealed inside. Designed by Paola — founder, jeweller, mother — after the birth of her own children. The Hera is the only piece in the shop she made for herself first.
What goes inside is up to you. A strand of hair. A drop of breast milk. Dried flowers from a wedding. A sprinkle of a loved one's ashes. The lid of a positive pregnancy test. Whatever marks a moment that mattered, the Hera can carry it — set in recycled 10k yellow gold or sterling silver, hand-finished, sealed.
Made once, for you. Worn for what you don't want to forget. Never repeated.
Choose your piece:
- Pendant shape: oval (10×14mm), square (10mm), or round (5mm, 8mm, or 10mm)
- Metal: recycled 10k yellow gold or sterling silver
- Finish: high polish or brushed
- Curb chain, 1mm thick, 40–45cm long, secured with clasp
From $180 in sterling silver — final price depends on size and metal selected.
Prefer a custom size or shape? Get in touch — we're happy to make a version that suits.
How your keepsake reaches us: Once you place your order, we'll be in touch with instructions for safely posting your keepsake to the studio. Each piece is hand-set and sealed by Paola — your element preserved inside.
A note on the making: Each Hera is hand-carved with organic edges, so the piece you receive will vary slightly from the photographs. That's part of its making — and part of why no two will ever look exactly the same.
About the designer: Hera was designed by Paola Vaz — founder, jeweller, and mother. It carries her own story alongside yours.
Choose your preferred finishing: Polished or Brushed
What would you like added to the stone?Eg. Ashes, Hair, Breastmilk, Sprinkled Gemstone (stone/color)
Quantity
Returns
14-day returns except in the case of manufacturing fault
One-of-a-kind and Made-to-order pieces are a final sale
Production & Shipping
From posting your keepsake → 2–6 weeks → delivered
All orders are Free Express shipping Australia-wide
Maria Julietta is proud to manufacture locally and operate our workshop in Kingscliff, Australia. We also offer repair services.
Our jewellery is presented in our signature packaging.
Care Guide
This piece is handcrafted in malleable wire and to ensure longevity, extra care is recommended when being worn. Significant pressure can cause the post to bend out of shape or break.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Hera Collection
1. What is the Hera Collection? The Hera Collection is a bespoke jewelry line featuring handcrafted necklaces made with sentimental materials such as hair, ashes, stones, or other meaningful inclusions. Each piece is crafted in recycled solid 10k gold or silver, ensuring sustainability and timeless beauty.
2. How do I place an order? To place an order, select your preferred design (Stone Shape/Size) and metal choice (Recycled Solid 9-karat Yellow Gold or Sterling Silver). After checkout, you will receive instructions on how to send us your sentimental materials safely.
3. How do I send hair, ashes, or other inclusions? Once you complete your order, we will provide detailed instructions on securely packaging and mailing your materials to us. We recommend using a tracked service for peace of mind.
4. How much of the material do you need?
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Hair: A small lock, about 1cm in width.
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Ashes: Less than a teaspoon’s worth.
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Stone or other materials: Small, no larger than 5mm. We will return any unused materials with your finished piece.
5. How long does it take to create my bespoke necklace? Each piece is handcrafted with care and takes approximately 3-6 weeks to complete from the time we receive your materials.
6. Can I customize the design further? Yes! If you have special requests such as engraving, custom stone settings, or unique design alterations, please contact us before placing your order to discuss possibilities.
7. Is the jewelry waterproof? Our solid gold and silver pieces are naturally water-resistant, but we recommend avoiding prolonged exposure to water, chemicals, and extreme conditions to preserve the integrity of the sentimental inclusions.
8. Do you offer gift packaging? Yes, all Hera Collection pieces come beautifully packaged, ready for gifting. You can choose to receive our branded shopping bag for gifting. You can also include a personalized note by email at info@mariajulietta.com.au with your order number on the subject please.
9. What if I change my mind after ordering? Due to the bespoke nature of our pieces, we cannot accept cancellations or refunds once production has begun. Please ensure you are certain before placing your order.
10. Do you ship internationally? Yes, we ship worldwide. Shipping costs and times vary based on location and will be calculated at checkout.
11. How do I care for my necklace? To keep your piece looking its best:
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Store it in a dry place when not in use.
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Avoid exposure to harsh chemicals or extreme heat.
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Clean with a soft cloth and mild jewelry cleaner suitable for gold or silver.
12. What happens to unused materials? Any unused materials will be returned to you along with your completed necklace unless otherwise specified.
13. Can I order multiple pieces using the same material? Yes, if you would like multiple pieces made from the same sentimental material, please contact us in advance to discuss your options.
14. Do you offer repairs? Yes, we offer repairs and maintenance services for our jewelry. Please contact us with details, and we will assess the best solution.
If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us via email or our website’s contact form!
A note on the tradition
A note on the tradition: The Hera belongs to one of the oldest jewellery forms in the world — the reliquary. In the Byzantine world, women wore small containers close to the body to hold something sacred: a strand of hair from a saint, a drop of holy oil, a fragment of written prayer, a keepsake from someone lost. The Hera is a modern version of the same idea. What's sacred is up to you.