8843525480?profile=originalImage from GreenNBrown.com - handcrafted jewelry shop

For as long as humans have inhabited the earth there has been jewelry. When humans first started to produce clothes and making primitive tools items of jewelry were fashioned from the natural resources available; this may have been bones, stones or even animal skins. More recently jewelry involves the use of beautiful, and often precious, gems set into gold or silver bracelets, rings or necklaces. One thing has been true throughout history, wearing an item of jewelry is a personal matter and the item worn will be a reflection of the person wearing it.

There are an abundance of handcrafted items available on the market, although jewelry remains one of the most popular choices. Before purchasing any item it is essential to consider the following points:

1.    Type of Metal

Handcrafted jewelry can be made from a wide variety of metals and even from non metallic products. Every item of jewelry which is made from a precious metal should state this and be able to prove that this is the case. Gold and silver are the most commonly used metals, although titanium and stainless steel are also popular choices. It is important to consider which metal has been used to produce the jewelry as it will need to match the other items that the recipient usually wears. Many fashion jewelry items are made from cheaper materials although this does not mean that they are any less of a gift. Particular attention should be shown to how well the article has been finished.

2.    Type of stones

There is an even wider range of stones available which can be used in the production of handcrafted jewelry. These range from the beads used in costume jewelry to the finest diamonds. There are many different types of gems which are commonly used in jewelry and it is common for different color stones to be associated with different birth signs. Jewelry can also be made using alternative materials such as glass or even wood. This is something that needs careful consideration before you purchase as the right color and choice of jewel type is essential.

3.    Value

It can be very difficult to place a value on an item of jewelry. The more expensive, or precious the stone (diamond) the higher the value of the item; however, there are many products which use lower quality stones but still have high price tags. This may be because they are made by a famous designer or they are particularly ornate. In simple economic terms an item is worth what you are willing to pay for it, you should bear in mind the quality of the stones used and how well the jewelry has been crafted before committing to any price.

4.    Handmade

Before purchasing an item which is marked ‘handmade’ or ‘handcrafted’ it is essential to confirm that this is actually the case! If you are at a market or craft fair and dealing directly with the maker of the item then it should be easy to verify it is genuinely handmade. An item in a shop may be mass produced but made by hand, this is technically still handcrafted but it will not be unique and will not, necessarily, be of the high quality you were looking for. It is also possible that these products will have been made by exploiting children or even adults to work for nearly nothing. Of course, many handcrafted items are well made and ethically produced and are well worth purchasing.

5.    Ethnic Origin

Just as it is important to establish that the product you wish to buy has been handcrafted it is essential to confirm where it has been made. There are many businesses which are happy to exploit the cheap labor market in third world countries in order to make more profit. Items which have been made in these locations will not be subject to the same quality controls present here and you may need to consider how pure the metal used is or even if the stones in the jewelry are ethically mined.

6.    Environmental Issues

You should also consider the environmental impact of your intended purchase. Mining for gold, silver and diamonds has an impact on the environment and you should be concerned with how these products have been mined. It is still common is certain areas of the world to use children for mining diamonds; they work in dangerous conditions, with little pay and no holidays. Mining itself can cause huge amounts of damage to the earth, dirty gold mining is known to leave mercury and cyanide; both of which are harmful to the earth and to humans.

7.    Where to Purchase

The best place to purchase your handcrafted jewelry is either directly from a local producer; anyone creating jewelry at home will be able to craft the exact piece you require and will do it at a reasonable price. Another option is to purchase from a reputable online store, there are many businesses trading online which promise eco-friendly products. It is best to visit an online store which is known to be environmentally friendly; www.greennbrown.com is one site that specializes in eco-friendly products and offers a wide range of products, including handcrafted jewelry at reasonable prices. Most importantly the site has verified every product as being produced in an ethnically and environmentally friendly way.

8.    Unique Design

Handcrafted jewelry has a distinct advantage over any mass produced item as it is unique and can even be designed with your personal input. This means that your purchase can be tailored to fit your wishes and will blend perfectly with the intended recipient’s wardrobe and existing jewelry collection. Handcrafted jewelry is also made with love and attention as the maker puts their reputation on the line with every item they make.

9.    Allergic

A final, vital, consideration is the products which have been used in the manufacturer of the item. For several of the reasons listed above it is possible that the metal used in some jewelry is not pure and this can lead to issues for anyone who is allergic to certain types of metal, or even other materials. Before you purchase any handcrafted jewelry make sure you know that what you are purchasing is exactly what you think it is!

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