What makes Gemstone handmade jewellery so special?
As trends whiz by at a staggering rate of knots and the throw-away era still lingers even though we are talking with an environmental consciousness, there is an alternative that bridges the gap between expensive fine jewellery & cheap plastic fashion jewellery . Explore the magic of Gemstones in handmade jewellery.
There is a true art to producing unique designs in contemporary jewellery and you can be sure to find a style that suits you. Most importantly you can be comforted in the knowledge that a piece has been handmade by someone locally who has focused their creative thought, care and attention on working out detail and often handmade jewellery pieces are sold as unique one-off or limited edition items or indeed works of art.
Compare handmade jewellery to mass produced designer jewellery or disposable jewellery that can be found on every high street corner and you will certainly feel and see the difference. Handmade jewellery will allows command attention, it often inspires those who appreciate luxury products. Handmade jewellery may often feature gemstones, also known as affordable luxuries, as small designers can’t command the same price for their jewellery that large design houses do, so it is certainly a worthwhile investment purchasing from small independent jewellery designer/maker.
Gemstones are so under rated in terms of jewellery and are often over looked by high end retailers and purchasers who prefer plain precious metals of silver or gold simply for versatility. Gemstone jewellery holds such intrigue and fascination yet only a small amount of jewellery designers choose to incorporate them. Perhaps it’s just a question of versality, but there is so much to a gemstone that makes them a great choice as an invest particularly in handmade jewelelry that will stand the test of fashion and time.
Whilst it’s fair to say that Fine jewellery signifies hefty price tags, gemstones don’t often fall into the category of fine jewellery. Fine Jewellery is termed by old fashion design houses who have been making golf-ball sized Harry Winston style bling for decades. But there is an in-between which rarely basks in the limelight and doesn’t really fall into any category other than gemstones or semi-precious gemstones usually found in handmade jewellery that can offer exclusivity and the unique/luxury tag that fine jewellery offers, but without the price.
Gemstones offer such a magnificent array of colours in just as many price groups that it seems bizarre the uber trendy designers don’t seem to utilise coloured gemstones more often in design. And it is clear that there are few jewellery designers willing to take risks with colour, as with risk comes expense, so often lean towards the industry stand gemstones of yester-year and most expensive stones such as White Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire & Emeralds (all these are mostly treated), although we are seeing a little more Tourmaline entering the market.
It’s fair to say that some gemstones have shown impressive increases in value, by up to 30% in recent years, proving they’re investment worth, such as Tanzanite, Aquamarine, Spinel, Garnet and Imperial Topaz often found in handmade jewellery. Not to mention the endless and amazing new colours flooding the gem market of Corundum Quartz, the new one to watch, that designers are completely spoilt for choice.