Handmade Jewellery vs Handcrafted Jewellery

Handmade jewellery and handcrafted jewellery are terms that are often used interchangeably in the jewellery world, but there are differences between the two. Larger retail jewellery stores and online sellers almost always offer only handcrafted jewellery.

Handmade jewellery refers to jewellery pieces that are crafted by hand, rather than mass-produced by machines. Handamde jewellery can range from simple, minimalist designs to intricate and highly detailed pieces that require a high degree of skill and precision to create.

A jeweller has the necessary training, skills, experience and equiptment to make from scratch detailed pieces of jewellery. Independent registered jewellery valuers pay particular attention to whether a piece of jewellery is handmade or handcrafted. The uniqueness of a specially commissioned one-of-a-kind handmade piece of jewellery is part of what protects its value.

With handmade jewellery, each piece is unique and one-of-a-kind, no two pieces are the exact same. Handmade jewelery is often of higher quality than mass-produced jewellery, as the jeweller has taken the time to carefully create each piece by hand. Handmade jewellery typically delivers strength, durability and a higher retained value (including for resale and replacement).

Handcrafted jewellery refers to jewellery that is made using a combination of hand tools and machinary. This means that while the jewellery is still made by hand, some parts of the process may be automated or assisted by machinary. Both handmade and handcrafted jewellery can be customised to suit individual preferences and needs, such as choosing specific gemstones or materials.

Handcrafted jewellery is generally faster to make due to the casting or pressing as a production method. A jewellery design can be reproduced as many times as needed which generally reduces the cost of production for the manufacturer and customer.

Both types of jewellery can be beautiful and valuable, and the choice between them will ultimately depend on your personal preferences, budget, the quality and uniqueness, and the specific piece of jewellery you are looking for.