14K Gold Tom Munsteiner Rock Crystal with Negative Crystal Inclusions Oval Pendant Necklace

We were thrilled to get a hold of one of Tom Munsteiner’s award-winning cut stones and wanted to create a necklace that would highlight the beauty of this incredible rock crystal. Tom Munsteiner, along with his father Bernd, was revolutionary in the world of gem cutting, known for their non-traditional cuts into the backs of gem stones, a technique referred to as a “fantasy cut”. This rock crystal exemplifies Munsteiner’s ability to capture the optical illusions within this gem, with his unique, minimalist cuts. Working with the negative crystal structures and iron oxide naturally occurring inside this rock crystal, Munsteiner’s simple cut highlights the illusion of a universe within the stone. Munsteiner chose an oval form for the rock crystal, with sharp angled sides that give the stone added depth. We added a bezel setting with a high polish that would add a layer of reflection to the already highly reflective crystal, enhancing the optical illusion effect. The bezel has an open back to maximize the amount of light that shines through the stone and allow some of Tom Munsteiner’s carvings to peak through. The simple bail has a row of five tiny 1 mm diamonds that add a row of sparkle that grace the crystal without distracting from its beauty. We added a box chain that is the same width as the bezel and bail. 

Rock crystal with a negative crystal is formed when quartz grows around a fluid or gas and mimicking its own crystal structure within the gem, thus creating unique inclusions that often present as smaller crystals, or as voids and cavities within the larger stone. They are highly coveted in gemology and metaphysical practices for their complexity and beauty. 

Atelier Munsteiner is a German jewelry house located in the picturesque Hunsrück village of Stiphausen. Bernd Munsteiner (1943-2024) was the first contemporary artist to “go off in search of the aura of the crystal” and used transparent stones to create images, objets d’art, and sculptures. When he created Atelier Munsteiner in 1973, his son Tom (1969-2023) and Tom’s wife Jutta joined the studio. They became famous for their innovative gem stone techniques and have won many awards, including the Grand Arts Prize of the Catalan Guild of Goldsmiths. 

The rock crystal measures 15/16” x 3/4” with a depth of 5/16”. The bail is 1/4” and contains five 1 mm diamonds. The 14k gold box chain is 18” long and 1.3 mm wide. The piece weighs 14.5 grams. The pendant is marked on the back as 14k gold, and the chain is marked as 14k and Italy. The piece comes with the original papers, including pedigree and an image of the rock crystal initialed by Tom Munsteiner.