Inspiration for Designer Jewelry

Facted Amber Sterling Silver Tree Branch Ring - Designer Jewelry

Facted Amber Sterling Silver Tree Branch Ring

Designer Jewelry – A Fountain of Inspiration

One only has to look at the wide selection of designer jewelry found in stores all around the world to know that there is a great deal of creativity to be found within the talented individuals in this field. But where does this fountain of ideas come from? Within this profession, the best artisans will look to a variety of sources for inspiration on how to create truly innovative designer jewelry. The ideas are already there. They just have to be sparked by a certain scene, event or emotion first. Afterwards, a first class fashion accessory can be brought to life.

Finding Inspiration for Designer Jewelry in Your Backyard

Despite the fact that most people consider their neighborhood ordinary, the best jewelers show their true creativity by finding sources of inspiration within these local areas. The architecture in some districts can provide a range of design ideas that can then be used to create stunning pieces of jewelry from gold-filled pendants to wire wrapped earrings. This applies whether the buildings are modern or traditional, as creating a structure is just as much an art form as designing and forming an elegant piece of handmade jewelry. Both are great examples of the talent and ingenuity of humankind as a whole.

Copper Lily Pad Earrings with Red Patina

Copper Lily Pad Earrings with Red Patina

Nature – An Abundance of Inspiration for Designer Jewelry

Jewelers who love to travel can find inspiration further afield. Often, this leads to more exotic creations such as copper leaf earrings and coral bracelets. Of course, these ideas come from a range of sources as the world is full of breathtaking sights. Nature provides a lot of these, as mountains, oceans and plains are all beautiful scenes that can inspire a master jeweler to create a number of new designs. As well as this, the different cultures and people found around the world are also a fountain of ideas that can be used to create unique pieces of jewelry.

Finally, the best artisans will form their range of designer handmade jewelry from ideas that spring from within, drawing from experiences and emotions to create a range of items that most people will admire. These pieces are very personal as each contains a part of the craftsman’s past and inner psyche. This is how the best jewelry is often made as the creator desires the final product to be perfect. After all, rings, necklaces and bracelets inspired from mental and spiritual sources will need to properly reflect the character, thoughts and soul of the jeweler as he or she wishes.

Of course, a combination of all of these sources will create a more diverse range of jewelry, so it is not surprising that the best craftsmen are always on the lookout for inspiration no matter where they are. The spark can come at any time and so a jeweler must be aware of their surroundings to take advantage of any new ideas that suddenly pop into mind. Through this, they will be able to create a selection of earrings, bracelets and pendants that will be completely unique in this world and that will be snapped up by designer jewelry lovers worldwide.

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Shopping for Handmade Jewelry

Brass Large Tear Drop Handmade Earrings with Garnets - Handmade Jewelry

Brass Large Tear Drop Handmade Earrings with Garnets

Handmade Jewelry – Quality is #1

When shopping for handmade jewelry, it is important to pay careful attention to the quality of the products that are being sold. After all, some pieces can be quite expensive and you should make sure that they are worth the price before you hand over your hard-earned cash. There are a number of characteristics to look for when choosing a necklace or bracelet from any jewelers shop. These include how the items look, how they feel when worn, whether they can be used in a variety of situations and how good the craftsmanship is.

 

Appearance

The main function of any piece of handmade jewelry is to make the wearer look stunning, enhancing their physical features. This applies whether we are talking about gemstone earrings or aluminum bracelets. In either case, the best quality handmade jewelry will look fantastic, able to bring out the wearer’s best features and drawing the attention of others. This should be the first thing that you notice when shopping for high quality accessories. If they look like they are worth a million dollars then they probably are.

Lime Anodized Aluminum 3-Tiered Lily Pad Earrings - Handmade Jewelry

Lime Anodized Aluminum 3-Tiered Lily Pad Earrings

Comfort

The next aspect to check when shopping for first-rate accessories is how well they fit you and whether or not they can be worn for long periods of time. The best quality metallic necklaces and gemstone rings will be light enough so that they can be worn for hours, and gently molded so that they do not cause chafing and cuts when taken on and off. The true master jeweler can fashion their particular types of products in such as way so that the wearer does not feel any ill effects while out and about.

Versatility

As well as this, the most creative artisans can design handmade jewelry which can be used in a wide range of circumstances. After all, there is nothing better than purchasing a flashy handmade bracelet or a stunning gemstone pendant that can be worn at the office, the nightclub or the local coffee shop. The finest pieces will allow you to look your best anywhere and anytime. When shopping for handmade jewelry, think about whether the item that you are looking at can be worn in both formal and informal occasions or not.

Craftsmanship

Finally, the way in which a piece of handcrafted jewelry is made is very important. By using the most effective techniques, a craftsman can create rings and bangles that will retain their original appearance for a long time to come. They will not fade and they will not break, so that you can use them for years after you have purchased them. This is the most important consideration to make when choosing fine jewelry as it will ensure that the item that you buy will remain useful far into the future.

Of course, it will be essential to focus on all of the above if you wish to purchase accessories that are truly worthwhile. Take your time and do your research and you should be able to add some high quality items to your handmade jewelry collection.

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Affordable Designer Earrings

Aluminum Brass Small Tear Drop Designer Earrings with Peridot

Aluminum Brass Small Tear Drop Earrings with Peridot

Don’t Be a Plain Jane – Wear Designer Earrings!

With a huge range of affordable designer earrings available now, there is no excuse to be a plain Jane! The period when jewelry was a luxury only pursued by the rich, famous and powerful is now long over. These days, anyone can afford to sport a pair of statement earrings thanks to the creativity of John S. Brana and other professional craftsmen. Their diverse collections are full of affordable handcrafted designer earrings that are perfect for anyone, regardless of their taste, personality, or budget.

Aluminum and Copper Make Great Cost-Effective Designer Earrings

By far, the most cost-effective earrings are made out of either aluminum or copper. While these may not seem to be very glamorous metals, they can form some stunning designs in the hands of a master jeweler. To see this, simply have a look at any online catalog of the more popular handcrafted jewelry designers.

Of course, if you are looking for affordable earrings that are a little more colorful, yet still within your budget, you can find what you are searching for in the range of gemstone earrings currently available. With a selection covering semi-precious stones such as amber, garnet, emeralds and pearls, you will be spoilt for choice when out jewelry shopping.

Serpentine Sterling Silver Chainmail Designer Earrings

Serpentine Sterling Silver Chainmail Earrings

Sterling Silver Designer Earrings Make a Great Buy

For those who have a bit more money to spend, but consider gold or platinum jewelry far too expensive, sterling silver handmade earrings can be a great buy. This dazzling metal can be shaped into a multitude of styles, ranging from hoop to chain maille designs, to form a classic look that will suit almost any sort of attire.

With this many choices out there, each as affordable as the next, it is a surprise to see that many women still are not donning a pair of dazzling handmade designer earrings when they are out and about. To find affordable handmade earrings that truly complement both your individual style and the clothing that you are wearing, have a look at the jewelry collections created that feature designer earrings by artisans such as John S. Brana today.

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Pearl Jewelry – Wear Nature’s Stunning Beauty

14K Gold Filled Chain with Freshwater Pearls and Mother of Pearl

14K Gold Filled Chain with Freshwater Pearls and Mother of Pearl

The Uniqueness of Pearl Jewelry

Amongst all the gems, pearls are the most unique. They are the only stone which does not require any additional cutting and polishing by a master jeweler. Pearls are made of nacre, which is already highly lustrous, meaning that these stunning gems can be added to any piece of jewelry very easily. For this reason, pearls have been used for centuries worldwide. Previously, people had to dive for them in the wilds, whereas now, they are simply farmed. Examples of pearl jewelry are found in John S. Brana’s Sea Cliff collection where it is used for subtle appearance enhancements or to make much bolder statements.

Freshwater and Saltwater Pearls

There are two types of pearls, saltwater and freshwater. Jewelers, such as John S. Brana, use the freshwater variety which comes in a greater number of shapes and sizes. One of the most appealing types is the Keishi pearl which comes in a fantastic array of irregular, but natural-looking shapes. These gems add a very unique appearance to any jewelry that they are added to. Because none of them look alike, they can be used to create necklaces or earrings which are one-of-a-kind works of art. This adds to their overall appeal and makes them highly sought after.

Keishi Cornflake Pearl Necklace

Keishi Cornflake Pearl Necklace

For some examples of how pearls are used within jewelry, have a look at the collection of items from John S. Brana with pieces such as fine silver earrings containing garnets and pearls, and necklaces made of amethyst and Keishi pearls.

The Pearl – June’s Birthstone

With its amazing appearance and versatility, the pearl is a gem which can be worn anywhere on any occasion. Pearl jewelry is a great gift idea for that special someone as it fits in with numerous styles and tastes. The pearl is also the birthstone for anyone born in June, and will make a great belated birthday present!

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Metalsmithing 101 – The Jewelers Toolbox

14K Gold Filled Chased Bangle Bracelet

14K Gold Filled Chased Bangle Bracelet

Techniques of Master Jewelers

Working and shaping metal into exquisite pieces of jewelry takes time, patience and the knowledge of various metalworking techniques such as chasing, repoussé, hammering and piercing. Expert craftsmen, like John S. Brana, use a variety of techniques on each piece of jewelry to create the various masterpieces within their collection.

Chasing and repoussé are both very similar techniques used to form patterns on the surface of a metal. A jeweler chases metal by forming imprints on it without altering the reverse side. These markings are clearly seen on the chased gold and copper bracelets by John S. Brana. With repoussé, a raised design is formed on the front by working the back of a metal sheet.

Basic Jewelers Tools

Hammering is the most basic technique but is also one of the most versatile. By striking hot or cold metal with a hammer, the craftsman is able to bend and twist it as desired. Jewelers typically use an iron bench block for a solid base and a highly polished planishing hammer so as not to leave unwanted marks on the metal’s surface after it has been shaped.

Chased Copper Triangle Earrings with Garnets

Chased Copper Triangle Earrings with Garnets

Piercing with a Jewelers Saw

Piercing is exactly what it sounds like. The jeweler will remove pieces out of a metal surface and create intricate shapes by using a very fine saw blade. A drill will have to be used first if the hole is to be made in the center of the metal sheet. For an example of this, have a look at the chased copper earrings with garnets by John S. Brana. These feature an oval hole which would have been created by piercing.

Using a combination of these techniques, jewelers all over the globe are now creating stunning earrings, necklaces and bracelets in a multitude of designs, so that we can enjoy wearing a range of accessories while out and about.

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The Best of Both Worlds: Gold Gemstone Jewelry

Gemstone Handmade Jewelry by John S. Brana

Amber and Crystal Beaded Gemstone Necklace by John S. Brana Handmade Jewelry

If you are looking for sheer elegance and class, nothing beats gold gemstone jewelry. These pieces combine the simple glamor of gold with distinctive gemstones that reflect the personality and style of the wearer. When buying this type of jewelry, there are several things you need to pay attention to.

The quality of the gold that makes up any kind of gold gemstone jewelry is essential. Of course, you want the highest quality gold, which is measured in karats. No piece of jewelry will ever be made with 24k gold, so beware any jeweler who tries to sell you “24k gold”. This type of gold is too pure and too malleable to be worked into jewelry, and quite frankly, is too expensive. Only a king or queen would ever have anything made from 24k gold!

Most quality gold used in jewelry ranges from 10k to 22k. The higher the rating, the higher the price. It is typical for most jewelry to be made from 14k gold, although 18k is preferred by most quality jewelers.

Gemstones have their own rating system. Diamonds are also measured in carats (with a “c” instead of a “k”), and the higher the rating, the higher the price. Diamonds fall under the category of “precious stones”, along with emeralds, rubies, and sapphires. A lot of gemstone jewelry, however, is made from semi-precious stones which are not as expensive, but can be equally beautiful and unique.

Gold gemstone jewelry made from semi-precious gemstones such as jade, lapis, onyx, turquoise, opals, and amber can be as beautiful as any piece including diamonds or sapphires. The quality of the gold, the uniqueness of the gemstone, and the exemplary craftsmanship of a master jeweler can make this type of jewelry worth wearing for a lifetime and handing down to your children.

Click Here To Find Gold Gemstone Jewelry

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