5 Reasons Why You Should Choose Handmade Jewellery

From exquisite quality to a one of a kind feel to superior customer service, there are a number of reasons why handmade jewellery evokes a special feeling that mass-produced pieces simply cannot.

So, keep reading to discover the many reasons why you should skip mass-produced jewellery in favour of handmade pieces.

1.  Higher Quality and More Durable Jewellery

First and foremost, handmade jewellery tends to be of much higher quality and therefore more durable than machine-made jewellery. This is because independent jewellers love and care about what they create, so always go that extra mile to find the best quality materials possible. Handmade jewellery will therefore last for years and years to come without breaking or causing allergic reactions due to hidden hard metal or other elements that a manufacturer might use to cut production costs.

Also, because of the small-batch production of handmade jewellery, quality control is much more apparent.  While faulty items can be shipped from mass produced jewellery, artisans creating hand-crafted jewellery put in the time and patience to ensure that every piece is a work of art which they take pride in.

A good example of this is contemporary wearable art creators, Duxford Studios, who are committed to sourcing high quality, recycled precious metals and hand selected gemstones from trusted and reputable supplies. Each piece of jewellery is handcrafted and individually finished, ensuring their jewellery is of the highest quality.

2.  The Pieces Are Unique and One of a Kind

No two pieces are the same when buying handmade jewellery, making them one of a kind and personal to you. Even if there are a number of the same looking pieces from one collection, each individual piece will have its own unique look and alterations in the design. Owning a handcrafted piece of jewellery is truly like owning a piece of artwork.

If you’re thinking of giving jewellery as a gift, handcrafted pieces are definitely the best option if you want to make the exchange more personal. Anyone can go into their local shop, pick a bracelet they like the look of off a display and wrap it up, but where is the true thought in that?

Choosing a handmade product is a much more personalised experience because it means you have gone a little out of the way to find a quality designer, explore their collection, and choose a piece that’s perfect for the gift receiver.

3.  Better Value for Money

While handmade jewellery is typically not as cheap as if it was mass produced, the quality and sentimental value provide a much higher satisfaction as you can visually see the time and effort the craftsman has put into making it.

Each piece is an investment and when treated as a treasured piece of art, provides more value for money than any other, cheaper piece would.

4.  Superior Customer Service

Handmade jewellery designers take real pride in what they do at every stage of the transaction. They aren’t only concerned about manufacturing the product and the end sale, they also care about making lasting relationships with customers.

Unlike large stores which deal with thousands of customers per month, handmade jewellers typically have a much smaller customer base, so it’s essential that they keep their customers happy through providing unparalleled customer service.

By this we mean they provide a more open line of communication throughout the creation process, and typically much more transparent about their practices and sourcing.

When buying a piece of Duxford Studios Jewellery, you’re guaranteed to interact directly with creator Esme, ensuring you get industry expertise alongside a proactive and attentive customer experience.

5.  Better Ethics and Sustainability

One of the best reasons you should opt for handmade jewellery is that most handmade jewellers source their materials from ethical suppliers, helping to support the local economy and promote sustainability.

Unfortunately, there is a large grey area in the collection of gemstones and minerals from countries without ethical labour legislation. There are also concerns with the manufacture of jewellery in regards to the use of sweatshops and environmentally harmful factories.

Mining can also be harmful to the environment when sustainability is not considered. Most metals, minerals and gems are limited resources, and the equipment used to mine releases many toxic chemicals into the environment.

So, when purchasing jewellery, It’s especially important nowadays to look for fair-trade ethical manufacturers. You should also ensure that you are buying ‘conflict-free’ stones – stones which haven’t been sold on the black market by rebel groups. Thus, ensure you’re buying from a legitimate seller and their diamonds have been produced in line with the International Kimberley Process.

Written by Kate, on behalf of contemporary wearable art creator – Duxford Studios.