Considerations When Purchasing Handmade Jewelry

Sometimes, jewelry can connect us to a time period, a location, or an event. Handmade pieces especially evoke such a moment. You often associate the jewelry with a special vacation, the treasured friend who gave it to you, or an important occasion.

Why Handmade Jewelry?

These unique pieces resonate with buyers because skilled artists create the jewelry by hand rather than mass production — and the industry for such products is growing. The handmade jewelry global market is expected to hit $472.5 billion by 2032, according to Allied Market Research.

Customers appreciate the jewelry because of its originality, artistic value, quality, and craftsmanship. But they also appreciate that, usually, with handmade jewelry, business isn’t just about the bottom line; it seeks to use eco-friendly materials and promote community.

What Qualifies as Handmade Jewelry? 

Any jewelry, whether it’s a bracelet, ring, necklace, or other piece, is handmade when an artisan assembles it without employing mass production techniques. This means they design and render it using hand-held tools. The jewelry may feature a variety of styles or materials — that’s not what determines handmade status, just how the creation occurred.

To determine if a piece is handmade, examine the jewelry carefully. Look for tiny disparities in construction. No two handcrafted pieces look exactly alike, and you should find variations in the displayed jewelry. 

Buying Handmade Jewelry

Maybe you’re seeking to add a special and versatile piece to your collection. Or, perhaps you’re looking for a unique or meaningful gift. Whatever the situation, there are several factors to consider before purchasing handcrafted jewelry: 

• Quality
• Uniqueness of design
• Materials used
• Artist or team of artists
• Sustainability or fair-market production protocols
• Customization or personalization options

Where to Shop for Handmade Jewelry? 

Lucky for you, the market for such jewelry is vast. You can find it at craft fairs, on websites, in boutiques, and even in conventional storefronts. There are also online marketplaces such as Etsy, auctions, and estate sales. 

When you purchase jewelry of any kind, you look for a good selection of products, a trained staff, ethical business practices, and good customer service. When you shop for something handcrafted, you want those same things. 

You might also want to find a place that offers services such as customization or repair services. If you buy jewelry regularly, it is important to form a trusting relationship with the artisan or business selling handcrafted goods.

Unique Handmade Jewelry

When you purchase handcrafted jewelry, you’re purchasing art. The jewelry goes through an intense process — in which artists conceptualize the design and meticulously render their vision. Materials are handpicked and the final version is scrutinized before released to the public.

Sometimes, handmade jewelry is a one-shot piece — something unique and created just once. But, often jewelry artists will make the same design over again to sell. Since it’s handmade, no two versions will be alike, but they will look similar.

Limited editions increase the rarity of the jewelry and can become valuable. These types of pieces are available for a short time, and only a certain number are created. Occasionally, a creator releases limited edition jewelry to commemorate an event, holiday, or event.

The Quality of Handmade Jewelry

When a piece is handmade a certain amount of care and attention to detail occurs that you won’t find in mass-produced jewelry. Materials are often of a higher quality, meaning your jewelry is durable and will have longevity.

Jewelry, by its nature, is often valuable as it consists of gems, like diamonds and pearls, and precious metals, such as platinum, gold, or silver. But what elevates its merit is construction. Handcrafted jewelry exhibits high-end craftsmanship that appreciates the little details — with the artisan’s passion, experience, and creativity impacting the final product’s aesthetics.

Popular Handmade Jewelry Styles 

When it comes to handcrafted jewelry, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings are some of the most favored. Customers like a pop of color or an element of surprise that creates a statement piece. While necklace lengths typically hit 16 to 20 inches, chokers (at 14 to 16 inches) and longer varieties (up to 51 inches) are pretty, especially if you’re layering chains. 

Bracelets that look retro or feature geometric designs are trending. Stacking offers a fun way of accessorizing, as you wear several at the same time. Unusual shapes and unconventional materials as seen in flower stud earrings in sterling silver and recycled plastic bottles showcase individuality and offer a unique fashion perspective. 

The Jewelry Artist 

Mass-produced jewelry often has little backstory. When a piece is handmade, though, the artist’s perspective wends its way through the work. Sometimes, the jewelry is even inspired by an experience or an observation. 

Do research on the artisan when you buy a piece (or ask them questions at that craft show) — when you know your jewelry’s story, you appreciate it more. Even some famous artists, such as Picasso and Koons, have dabbled in jewelry creation — with their work becoming collectible. 

Handmade Jewelry Offers Customization and Personalization

Many jewelry artists are willing to customize their pieces. This means an artisan is designing and making their jewelry entirely from scratch to your specifications. They may also offer options such as personalizing a more standard design with a specific birthstone, letter, or image. The right jewelry maker should listen and allow collaboration to create the jewelry you desire. 

Points to discuss with the artist: 

• General ideas you have
• Artist’s background
• Budget
• Materials – gemstones and metals, how they are sourced
• Design process
• Timeline
• Warranty

Communication is key with custom jewelry design. Ensure you get the product you want by speaking to the artisan regularly. You’ll want to be part of the design process and carefully examine any hand sketches or CAD renderings. 

Buying Handcrafted Jewelry Promotes Small Business and Sustainability

When you purchase handmade jewelry, you build relationships with local vendors and small businesses. Most jewelry artisans operate their own businesses, selling at vendor fairs, online stores, and in cooperative spaces.

Many of these artists choose eco-friendly materials, like recycled metals and responsibly sourced gems, for their work. They often support fair labor practices — which is something those mass-producing factories may not do. They may collaborate with their community, supporting other local establishments. 

Handcrafted jewelry offers you original, wearable artwork and makes unique gifts that your friends and family will appreciate and treasure. You can also find artists you like and support their artistic journey — and their livelihood — as you add pieces from their collection to yours time and time again.