A pendant is a loose-hanging piece of jewelry, generally attached by a small loop to a necklace, which may be known as a “pendant necklace”.
A pendant earring is an earring with a piece hanging down. Its name stems from the Latin word pendere and the Old French word per, both of which translate to “to hang down”.
Top Pendant Shops In South Africa
South Africa is renowned for its production of top-quality diamonds, platinum, and gold that are exported all around the world. This homegrown advantage has enabled many South Africans to establish successful jewelry businesses over the years. Take a look at the top five luxury jewelry stores located in Cape Town.
Shimansky
From humble beginnings, Yair Shimansky has established one of South Africa’s most recognized jewelry brands in just over two decades.
As a young man, Yair spent two years in Japan where he studied diamond cutting and polishing. The Japanese culture of perfection had left an impression on Yair and inspired him to launch his own line of jewelry.
After a year of selling self-designed jewelry at a beachfront flea market in Durban, Yair opened his first store in the early 1990s, where the brand grew into the empire that it is today.
With stores across South Africa, Shimansky offers a diverse range of rings, earrings, and pendants made from the highest quality diamonds, platinum, and tanzanite.
Shimansky jewelry has been worn by a number of celebrities including Charlize Theron, Christina Aguilera, Vera Farmiga, Bill Clinton, and Nelson Mandela.
Kirsten Goss
Kirsten Goss offers an eclectic collection of diamond, silver, and 18-carat gold jewelry. Her diamond range steps away from the conventional, utilizing not only the white diamond but the sleek black diamond as well. Her range includes unique handcrafted earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and rings in a myriad of styles crafted from metals and semi-precious stones.
The brand also features options to personalize jewelry, such as name and initial engraving as well as birthstone jewelry. The Durban-born jeweler launched her brand in London in 2012 and has since collaborated with local handbag brand Missibaba to open stores in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
Kirsten counts Sarah Jessica Parker, Rosamund Pike, and even British royalty among her fans. In 2011, she designed pieces for Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding.
Peter Gilder
This luxury jewelry store in the heart of Constantia was established in 1984 by Peter Gilder after he sought to build his own brand after working for a family friend’s jewelry business. The brand’s reputation for excellent quality and service has spread, increasing demand;
today, Peter has a team of goldsmiths who work on-site in the store workshop to produce exquisite ready-to-wear or bespoke jewelry designs.
The brand offers elegant pieces crafted from diamonds, gold, tanzanite, freshwater pearls, and gemstones. Peter’s daughter, Mandy, also produces her own range of fashion-forward pieces that are available in store.