Handmade Fine Jewelry

Brass Lily Pad Earrings - Handmade Jewelry

Brass Lily Pad Earrings

Elegant Handmade Jewelry

Handmade fine jewelry is an excellent gift choice for both men and women for practically any occasion. Rather than purchasing a piece of jewelry that has been mass produced by machine, a piece of jewelry made by hand offers an extra element of elegance and a personal touch.

Handmade Jewelry – Higher Quality Than Production Jewelry

Handmade fine jewelry is available from many artisans specializing in the craft. Jewelers who make each of their pieces by hand still use the same high quality materials as large manufacturers and in many instances they have a greater control over the quality of gemstones and other elements used, as they can inspect each element individually.

Serpentine Sterling Silver Chainmail Necklace - Handmade Jewelry

Serpentine Sterling Silver Chainmail Necklace

While purchasing handmade jewelry may cost more than purchasing one of the mass produced pieces, many people appreciate that there is value in knowing that each piece is unique and made with care. When a person is making something by hand, he tends to put more of himself into the piece, thereby producing a quality and personality not found in mass production pieces.

Handmade Jewelry Makes a Statement

Handmade jewelry often makes a stronger style statement than mass produced designs, so a little more care should go into deciding how to accessorize an outfit. Continuing to purchase pieces will fill a jewelry box full of options so no matter what someone wears, there will be hand crafted jewelry to go along with it. The right piece of handmade jewelry can take a drab outfit and add just the right amount of pizzaz to turn it into something fabulous.

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Handcrafted Silver Jewelry – Meant to Last a Lifetime

Handcrafted Fine Silver Necklace with ChrysopraseMany people shy away from silver jewelry for many reasons. For some, it’s because silver loses its luster over time. For others, they think of silver as simply inferior to gold. Neither of these statements are true if the silver utilized is fine silver. Handcrafted silver jewelry made using fine silver, rather than sterling silver – will last a lifetime without much attention.

At first glance, sterling silver and fine silver might appear almost identical. In reality, though, handcrafted fine silver jewelry is different in one critical way…it doesn’t tarnish over time.  This is due to its lack of copper, as opposed to Sterling Silver, which is an alloy of 7.5% Copper and 92.5% Silver.  Through the hammering process, Fine Silver becomes just as strong as Sterling, so that Fine Silver can last you a lifetime, and be passed on to future generations with pride and effortless care.

Jewelry that is handcrafted using fine silver is some of the most superior on the market. Not only has the metal itself gone through the hands of a caring craftsman, but the piece of jewelry has been designed and put together by someone who is a true artisan. There is no manufacturing process in this type of jewelry. The designs are original, the production is one at a time, and the work is done with pride and love.

When buying a piece of handcrafted silver jewelry, always insist on fine silver to ensure your piece will last and remain in its beautiful, original state for more than just a few years.

 

Click Here To Find Handcrafted Silver Jewelry

 

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There’s Something About Fine Silver Jewelry

womens-hammered-silver-aquamarine-italian-mesh-metal-amazonite-necklace-mn16-1Fine jewelry silver is actually pure silver or 99% silver.  Sterling silver, on the other hand, is an alloy of 92.5% silver mixed with 7.5% copper.   Pure silver is usually too malleable to be used in jewelry, unless it is hammered or tumbled to "work harden" the silver to a point where it is just as strong as Sterling Silver.  The advantage of Fine Silver, is that it does not tarnish, making care of fine silver jewelry effortless.

Silver and gold are the two most well-known, and popular, precious metals used in creating fine jewelry. Fine jewelry silver is less expensive than gold, which makes it more popular for that reason alone. Many people also prefer the color and look of silver over gold.  Gold is typically thought of a warm, friendly color, while silver is more cool and distinguished.

Fine silver jewelry is crafted for both men and women. For men, it consists of cufflinks – the one fashion accessory women have never needed. Then there are bracelets, necklaces and pendants, and rings.   As with any fine fashion accessory, many famous designers work in the fine silver jewelry field. Their creations are offered at many fine jewelry stores, although unfortunately the current economic climate has seen the closing down of many of those stores. Nowadays, many designers have websites that showcase their creations.

Fine silver jewelry has been crafted for over a thousand years, so in addition to new pieces, many fabulous classic and antique pieces are available for purchase…at antique stores or on Ebay, for example. It’s all a matter of finding a particular design or designs that you like.  If you love fine silver jewelry, you’ll want to educate yourself as to its history. The evolution of the history of design and of the famous designers of all time make enjoyable reading, and will enable you to fully appreciate the craft that goes into the pieces you now enjoy.
 

Click Here To Get Your Hands On Fine Jewelry Silver Designs

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Smythe & Cross – Purveyors of Precious Jewelry Features Selected Handcrafted Fine Jewelry by John S. Brana

Smythe & Cross

December 3, 2008 -  Smythe & Cross – Purveyors of Precious Jewelry, Burlingame,  CA, will be hosting a grand opening and open house from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. at their Burlingame headquarters.  Preview collections of fine and diamond jewelry, along with selected pieces of handcrafted fine jewelry by John S. Brana.  Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served.  RSVP required.  Contact Altitude Promotions for more information.

 14K Gold Chased Anticlastic Cuff

SoMa Collection – 14K Chased Anticlastic Gold Cuff

 

14K Gold and Fine Silver Tear Drop Filigree Earrings

 Nob Hill Collection – 14K Gold and Fine Silver Tear Drop Filigree Earrings

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Jewelers’ Circular Keystone features jewelry designer John S Brana’s “Pearl of the Sea Ring” in What’s New in Jewelry – December 2006

JCK - Jewelers' Circular Keystone Features John S. Brana

JCK - Jewelers' Circular Keystone Features John S. Brana - Distinctive Jewelry

JCK – Jewelers’ Circular Keystone – www.jckonline.com - is currently featuring my “Pearl of the Sea Ring” in the “What’s New in Jewelry” December 2006 issue. The monthly section of “What’s New in Jewelry” features new designs and upcoming jewelry designers in the Fine Jewelry industry. John S. Brana’s “Pearl of the Sea Ring” from the Sea Cliff Collection is featured on page 88.

The Sea Cliff Collection features unique pieces that are bold in scale and accented with dramatic sea creatures, unusually shaped beads, and precious and semi-precious gemstones. Because each piece in this line of marine-themed necklaces, rings, and brooches is fashioned from hand-selected elements, no two are alike. The result is striking jewelry that truly makes a splash. Click here to see more of the Sea Cliff Collection.

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