Handmade Jewelry

Within the jewelry industry, the term "handmade" has a variety of meanings and connotations. According to the Federal Trade Commission of the United States, the term "handmade" should only be applied to jewelry which is made entirely by hand methods and tools. If any part of the pieces is cast or die-struck, it is not handmade. Appraisers oftern use this meaning for the term "handmade".

Some jewelers describe custom-made jewelry as handmade if most of the work is done by hand. They reason that a cast piece made from a hand-carved wax and then finished and set by hand can require just as much creativity and work as a hand-fabricated piece.

Chain manufacturers make a distinction between chain which is handmade and machinemade. If a rope chain, for example, is assembled by hand, it is considered handmade evenif the loops have been formed by a machine.

Since "handmade" is a more generic, less precise term thant "hand-fabricated" goldsmiths in America generally prefer to have their hand-crafted pieces described as "hand-fabricated". This way it's clear that no part of the piece is cast or die-struck. To a few people, "handmade" may evensometimes have negative connotations such as "homespun" or "unsophisticated".

Since there are a variety of meanings for "handmade", it's best to ask salespeople and jewelers to define what they mean when they use this term. This will prevent miunderstanding from occuring.