FAQ
Who is Carla Ciminera?
Carla Ciminera is an independent jewellery designer based in Belgium, creating handmade gemstone jewellery in small batches. Every piece is made by hand using real, hand-selected gemstones sapphire, emerald, amethyst, onyx, pearl, aquamarine, rose quartz and more. Carla designs for women who want jewellery that is distinctive without being loud pieces made to be worn every day, not saved for special occasions.
Where is Carla Ciminera based?
We are based in Belgium and ship across Europe, with a strong customer base in the UK, France, Italy, and Belgium.
What makes Carla Ciminera different from other jewellery brands?
Three things: every piece is handmade by Carla herself, every gemstone is hand-selected for its individual character, and every collection is produced in small batches — meaning very few women will ever own the same piece. Many pieces are entirely one of a kind.
The Jewellery
What types of jewellery does Carla Ciminera make?
We specialise in three types chokers, cuffs, and rings. Each is designed to work across contexts, from a morning meeting to an evening dinner, without ever feeling out of place.
What gemstones do you use?
We work with sapphire, emerald, amethyst, onyx, freshwater pearl, aquamarine, rose quartz, labradorite, and black onyx among others. Each stone is hand-selected individually no two pieces are identical even when made to the same design.
Are your pieces one of a kind?
Many of them are. Some designs are made in very limited numbers two or three pieces at most. We always indicate on the product page when only one piece is available.
What does "handmade" actually mean for your pieces?
It means Carla makes every piece herself, by hand, from start to finish including the clasps. Nothing is outsourced to a factory. The subtle irregularities you may notice are not imperfections they are the trace of a maker's hand, and what makes each piece genuinely unique.
How are your clasps made?
Our clasps are designed and made in-house by Carla. This is one of the most important details of a handmade piece a poorly made clasp undermines everything else. Ours are built to last and designed to be easy to use with one hand.
What price range are your pieces?
Our pieces range from €200 to €500. Given that each piece is handmade using real gemstones and produced in extremely limited numbers, this represents exceptional value for a truly one-of-a-kind piece.
Wearing & Styling
How do I style a gemstone choker for work?
A gemstone choker works beautifully with open-neck blouses, fine knitwear, and structured blazers. It sits close to the collarbone and adds a point of visual interest without competing with a professional silhouette. Our most popular chokers for work are those in sapphire, onyx, and pearl.
Can I wear Carla Ciminera jewellery every day?
Absolutely that is exactly what we design for. Our pieces are built to be worn often, through full days of real life. We use quality materials and solid construction precisely so you do not need to treat them carefully or save them for special occasions.
How do I transition a piece from day to evening?
The simplest approach is to add a gemstone cuff in the evening if you have worn only a choker during the day. A single well-chosen piece worn all day also works a sapphire choker or emerald cuff reads as polished and intentional in any context.
Which gemstone is right for me?
It depends on your palette and what you want the piece to do. Onyx works with everything and is the most versatile. Sapphire suits navy, grey, black, and white. Emerald works with earth tones and cream. Amethyst bridges seasons. Pearl is the most classically professional. Aquamarine is serene and luminous. If you are unsure, contact us and we will help you choose.
Care & Longevity
How do I care for my Carla Ciminera piece?
Store your piece in the pouch provided, away from other jewellery to avoid scratching. Remove it before swimming, bathing, or applying perfume directly to the skin near the piece. Wipe it gently with a soft dry cloth after wearing. Gemstones are durable but benefit from being treated with care.
Will the gemstones fade or change colour over time?
Real gemstones do not fade. The colour you see when you buy the piece is the colour it will have in ten years. This is one of the key differences between real gemstone jewellery and dyed or synthetic alternatives.
What if my clasp needs adjusting?
Contact us directly. Because Carla makes the clasps herself, she can adjust or repair them. We stand behind every piece we make.
Ordering & Shipping
Where do you ship to?
We ship across Europe. Our main markets are the UK, Belgium, France, and Italy, but we ship to most European countries. Contact us if you are unsure whether we deliver to your location.
How long does delivery take?
Delivery times vary by country. We will confirm your estimated delivery time at the point of order. All pieces are carefully packaged to arrive safely.
Can I order a custom piece?
Yes. If you have a specific gemstone, length, or design in mind, contact us to discuss a custom commission. Custom pieces take longer to produce but are made with the same care as everything else we make.
Do you offer gift wrapping?
All Carla Ciminera pieces arrive beautifully packaged and ready to gift. No additional gift wrapping is needed the packaging is part of the experience.
Returns & Exchanges
What is your return policy?
If you are not happy with your piece for any reason, contact us within 14 days of receiving it and we will find a solution. Because many of our pieces are one of a kind, exchanges depend on availability but we always aim to make things right.
What if my piece arrives damaged?
Contact us immediately with a photograph and we will resolve it. This has never happened we package every piece with great care but if it does, we take full responsibility.
