From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Handmade jewelry is that which is crafted by hand, just as jewelry has been since it was very first created by humans. Unlike modern machine-made jewelry, no two pieces of handmade jewelry - even of the same design - will be identical.

Many artists who handmake jewelry use no pre-made or fabricated parts at all, even creating their own findings, such as ear hoops and hooks, brooch pins, clasps and more.

Much handmade jewelry is created using age-old metalsmithing techniques such as forging, raising, chasing, soldering and more to create complex forms in various types of precious and other metals. Metals may also be etched, engraved or coloured using a wide variety of techniques.

However, a great deal of handmade jewelry is created without utilising even these techniques. Instead many jewelry makers create pieces entirely by hand with the assistance of basic hand tools, for instance wrapping gemstones and beads in wire or creating simple strands of beads for necklaces or bracelets.

Handmade jewelry makers utilize many types of metals and gemstones in their work, from gold to bronze, diamonds to cubic zirconia. Many contemporary jewelry artists make use of even more diverse materials such as paper, textiles, plastics and much more. In fact this type of jewelry, gains more and more in popularity. At the high end, where jewelry is made by the world's most renowned independent goldsmiths, desginers and gem carvers -- not necessarily working at the typical jewelry brands -- handmade jewelry competes with the A-brands as a way to distinguish oneself. At the low end, originality and the fact it was made and sold locally, as opposed to mass-produced jewelry made abroad, and sold at the large retailers, is one of the more important reasons for its momentum.

• Ganoksin - complete gem and jewelry making information resource
• Gem and Diamond Foundation
• Metalcyberspace