Jewelry Design: Why Handcrafted Masterpieces Are Better than Industrial-Designed Accessories
Jewelry is a bit like art. Anyone can buy a print of a famous masterpiece, but it won’t have the quality and impact of the real thing. While machine-made jewelry can be more affordable, there are many ways handcrafted jewelry pieces are far better than industrial-designed accessories. If you want to learn more, take a look at this list to find out why you should invest in an artisan heirloom piece instead of a mass-produced, machine-made design.
- More Personalized
Handcrafted jewelry is all about creativity and personalization. When you have access to a designer who makes their own work by hand, you can redesign any piece to fit your aesthetics and preferences.
Oftentimes, handmade jewelry also allows you to explore the most delicate of designs with finer bands that don’t use any casting or stamping methods. Designers handmaking their jewelry are usually more open to mixing metals and experimenting with unique materials.
A skilled artisan is the premier choice if you want to create something completely new and meaningful or modify an heirloom piece you already own. If you love jewelry in a more sentimental way, customizability is key to ensuring your jewelry can tell a deeper story.
“Unlike industrial designs, handcrafted pieces have the human touch. From one-of-a-kind, hand-picked gemstones to hand-forged metals, no two pieces will ever be the same. Handcrafting allows us to express our creativity and craftsmanship with attention to detail in each piece,” says Alicia Florez, owner of Fondeur Jewelry.
2. Better Quality
Many times, industrial jewelry design is about cutting costs, so it’s no surprise that handmade jewelry typically uses higher quality materials, denser designs, and hypoallergenic metals. These artists prioritize attention to detail. A craftsperson committed to their designs takes more pride in their work than a machine that stamps out 100 of the same design each day.
More importantly, professional jewelers and craftspeople get certifications and seek out credentials from world-recognized industry organizations. This ensures they get recognition as a business of quality and helps them maintain rigorous standards. Some of the most common organizations and governing bodies that recognize professional jewelers include The Jewelers Board of Trade, The Gemological Institute of America, World Jewellery Confederation, and American Gem Society.
3. Innovative Designs
Since artisan jewelers have more control over their designs, they can explore innovative, cutting-edge techniques in jewelry making. They’re constantly evolving new styles and experimenting with new ways to differentiate themselves. Mass-produced jewelry can’t afford to create new molds and models as frequently as an artisan jeweler can. Because of this, fast fashion jewelry often finds itself following the trends set by those artisans who handcraft their designs.
4. Sustainability & Ethics
There are many ethical concerns when it comes to jewelry production. Some common concerns include environmental impacts from mining stones and metals, human rights abuses from mining stones, and the production of industrial waste in factories.
When you work with an artisan, they offer much more transparency into the origin and manufacturing of their materials. Many smaller businesses prioritize recycled metals, conflict-free gemstones, and sustainable packaging. Since industrial jewelry companies are more interested in the bottom line, they have a tendency to greenwash their business practices to fake an ethical and sustainable brand. You’ll need to do careful research to determine if a company is actually ethical or if they’re hiding behind buzzwords.
5. Better Customer Service
Handcrafted jewelry typically comes from smaller businesses with a limited client base. Because they’re focused on custom designs and one-of-a-kind pieces, they’re more likely to build a strong relationship with clients to ensure their satisfaction and guarantee referrals from satisfied customers.
Choose Handcrafted Masterpieces
If you’re ready to invest in quality, personalization, and jewelry that can be passed down through generations of your family, it’s time to turn to artisan jewelry makers. Discover meaningful gifts and traditional jewelry design when you choose a handcrafted masterpiece.
