Handmade vs. Industrial Jewelry: What’s the Difference and Why Handmade Jewelry Is Worth More
After almost 3 years of going to handmade markets I can’t help but notice that not everything is quite HANDMADE there. What does that even mean? Handmade….
Artisan in Tunisia introducig me to the details of grass weaving
Here’s what Chatgpt says: “Handmade” means something was made by actual human hands, not spat out of a machine. When something’s handmade, it usually involves skill, time, and a fair amount of swearing at tiny details until it looks just right. Think jewelry, pottery, clothing, furniture-basically anything crafted by a person, not mass-produced in a factory. It often costs more, but that’s because you’re paying for a piece of someone’s efforts.
I gotta say, I agree with it. But what I see in the markets doesn’t always meet the criteria. There’s lots of pieces that are half-handmade or even mass produced. I remember being at a market where there was this nice stand, very sleek, bright with pastel colors and full of silver and gold plated jewelry from Temu/Etsy/Aliexpress/etc. y’all know those pages- and it was full of people. FULL of people, staring, trying on pieces and BUYING. While I was just sitting there without a single person coming my way and doubting my work, my skills, my choices. It didn’t feel good but I learned that not everyone is MY costumer. And that’s fine because there are people that know the difference between handmade and mass produced jewelry and appreciate my work.
So how is this jewelry made that costs 5-10€ and even offers free shipping?
They’re usually made in big batches from cheap alloys with underpaid workers and disregarding environmental issues like massive energy use for smelting, casting, and machining, chemical processing that can pollute water and soil and mining practices that destroy natural habitats.
Industrial casting basically allows mass production of thousands of identical pieces: labor is minimized after the initial setup, production is fast and predictable and costs are kept low by using cheaper metals and thin plating that wears off after a little use. It requires little to no human touch once the mold is ready. Just like fast fashion.
Jewelry pieces after casting
While handmade takes hours and days of work, experimentings, failures, screwed up projects, swears, tears and coffee. I’m not kidding. I had custom orders that I literally cried while making because it just wouldn’t turn out as it should have. It requires persistency and much love. Because why else would someone remake that ring for the fifth time, sacrificing time, materials and money?!
Filing the edges of an earring
Here’s what my process looks like: if I don’t already have an idea of what I want to make ( because I haven’t been in any new places recently to draw inspiration from) I scour the internet for ideas, looking at pictures, videos, other artists, not just jewelry but photography, paintings, ceramics, gardens, clothes, many things until I get inspired by something. ( For a vey long time I couldn’t accept that this is also part of my working hours and I should definitely count it in.) Then I start drawing my ideas, making different versions and choose the ones I like the most. I prepare the stencil which basically means I cut out the drawing of paper and stick it on the brass sheet. Then, my favorite part, I take my handsaw and cut it out. I saw for hours usually, sometimes that’s all I do in a day. Then I take my file and soften the edges, removing all the sharp parts and sand them. I sand each side and all edges. Then I can play: adding texture or painting, patina, changing the shape by bending or hammering or soldering pieces together, setting the stones, clean up and polish. Sounds easy, doesn’t it? Well, it’s not. Oh, did I mention that my pieces are made of scraps that need additional cleaning because brass is very reactive and if it stays in humid places for too long it form stains and patina? I gotta clean that up too. Each piece I make is very much handmade-obviously, thoughtful, kind to the environment and ethical. These are all very important aspects for me and so should be for you.
The reason I wrote this post isn’t to cry about how handmade jewelry is not appreciated at the markets, but to let my current clients know that I’m very grateful to them for supporting me and choosing my creations. And to also let my not (yet!) clients know what’s the difference between the handmade and mass production and hence why prices differ. When you choose handmade jewelry, you’re making a conscious, ethical, and beautiful choice to support independent makers, not faceless corporations, to reduce your environmental footprint and to wear something with a story- not just a product. Each handmade piece connects maker and wearer. It’s personal. It’s lasting. It’s real.