7 Benefits of Handmade Jewelry

We may think that we know the benefits of handmade jewelry. But ask anyone about why they love handmade jewelry and some will say it’s the uniqueness, others that they love the individuality, yet others say that the allure comes from the personal attention and love that makers and artisans infuse into the masterpieces they create.

It could be said that the reasons for investing in handmade jewelry are as numerous and varied as the pieces themselves

In the same vein as sustainable food and fashion, handmade, artisan jewelry has become increasingly popular, people have begun to value a higher level of materials and craftsmanship and that special quality often missing in mass-produced items.

Handcrafted jewelry is synonymous with quality and brings a high level of detailing to the table, it’s simply the pieces that you just won’t find at any jewelry store.

This article looks at the 7 most important benefits of handmade jewelry.

Handmade Jewelry is Exclusive

It is a long-held belief amongst many traditional jewelers that symmetry and conformity are what sell. This has meant that mass-produced, cookie-cutter jewelry is what you’ll find in shops. The almost clinical look and feel of the pieces are common but hey, it’s all that’s available, right?

Handmade jewelry is different and exclusive. Machines are not the makers, artisans are. A machine may churn out a piece in a minute, whereas each handmade piece shows the handiwork that has gone into creating it, the many hours and days spent on crafting the piece are evident. The makers’ fingerprints seem to be etched into every piece, as clear as the brushstrokes of an old master’s painting. Exclusivity is one of the best benefits of handmade jewelry.

Environmentally friendly – one of the surprising benefits of handmade jewelry

Machine-made jewelry can pass through many hands, materials travel from many nations from every corner of the world. Each journey of each component uses precious resources. That is even before the machines are involved.

A handmade, artisan-crafted piece passes through just one hand during its creation. All materials are usually locally sourced and may travel a few miles at the most, with no shipping or air freight involved. Keeping the process small ensures that the footprint of a handmade good is tiny. And, in a world where footprints seem to be getting bigger and bigger, there is certainly nothing wrong with each of us sporting a smaller proverbial shoe.

Nothing beats the Quality of handmade jewelry

It’s not just an amorphous air of authenticity that causes people to invest more in handcrafted products. The maker has a very intimate relationship with each piece they create. The maker knows each line and curve, it was put there with intention. The heart and mind that created the design also crafts and gives life to it, the quality is their mark.

It’s difficult to regulate or even know exactly what alloys are used in mass-produced factories where dirty metals are blended to create costume pieces. Handmade materials are generally sourced from highly reputable suppliers with whom the maker has built up a clear understanding of quality standards.

Handmade jewelry is scrutinized to perfection at every stage, with the same pair of eyes, not just a one-time check before packing often found in mass-manufacturing.

Ethically sourced materials – metals and gemstones

Artisans are, rightfully, choosy about the sourcing of their materials. They spend much of their time away from crafting their pieces looking for the highest quality materials for each collection. No real jewelry maker will ever compromise on the quality of the material, and that also holds for where the materials are coming from.

Being ethical can be difficult when you’re trying to make a buck, but purchasing on a small scale provides a buyer with more transparency as far as supply chain ethics are concerned.

With many mass-produced jewelry lines, there are a host of ethical dilemmas that emerge, particularly when a company becomes quite large.

Handmade Jewelery makers must do this

• Not purchasing conflict diamonds/precious stones
• Making sure that any metals are mined through ecologically sound processes
• Not contributing to toxic mine drainage

An artisan will have a relationship with the person they’re buying metals and stones from, and you’ll be able to ask questions about the process, should you be on the lookout for a piece as beautiful as it is ethical.

One-of-a-kind jewelry pieces

Every single nick in the wood, each wire-wrapped gemstone, and every brushstroke on the canvas of a handmade item makes it uniquely it’s own. When you make the right decision to invest in a handmade piece, you are paying for a commitment to authenticity and a guarantee that no two pieces will ever be exactly alike. Even if the designer makes several pieces that look like what you have in mind, no two earrings, rings or necklaces are the same; and that is pretty priceless.

There’s a story to every jewelry piece

There are many benefits of handmade jewelry, but, perhaps, this is one of the most important. The fascinating thing about custom-made anything is the fact that often there’s a story behind why the artisan chose a particular design or materials. When you buy a handmade piece, you’re buying the history that goes along with it, perhaps emotional and told through the materials used to put together a beautiful piece of wearable art.

Every handmade ring or pendant has a message. That’s why handmade jewelry meanings matter. These pieces help keep records of history, you might even feel a special connection to the designer who made it.

Sustainability – a little known benefit of handmade jewelry

Over-production of many products – especially those that require natural materials; metals, and minerals amplifies the potential for the unethical sourcing of goods. Artisans who specialize in handmade goods care greatly about where their materials come from and will pay more for that quality and subsequent peace of mind.

Handmade jewelers do not buy in bulk, increasing the cost of their raw materials, this has the positive impact of them expecting and buying higher quality materials, therefore smaller scale production is almost always higher quality. I hope you enjoyed this article on the benefits of handmade jewelry.