The Price of Handmade Jewellery

I frequently receive inquiries from potential clients about the price of handmade jewellery. Perhaps they have seen something online that they would like to have handcrafted. However, they do not want to pay the stated price of these items and believe that being jewellery produced by hand would somehow be less expensive.

However, obtaining a one-of-a-kind, personally crafted product is generally more expensive than purchasing something mass-produced.

But why is handmade jewellery more expensive than buying a ready-made piece online or at a store?

For starters, online and high street retailers buy in bulk to save money. Many of them outsource production overseas and therefore pay lower wages to overseas workers. Their products are cast and mass-produced in multiples, creating thousands of identical pieces bearing no distinctive character.

While large-scale jewellery retailers have a large number of identical pieces in stock at any given time, independent artisan jewellers handmake your piece for you.

When you commission me to handcraft a custom piece of jewellery, you will receive a truly one-of-a-kind piece of jewellery crafted to your exact specifications. It will be identical to nothing, let alone thousands of replicas. Even when I work from a core design, each piece varies slightly in colour, texture, shape, and size. Ertisun handmade jewellery will never disappoint in its uniqueness.

How My Work Differs from Mass Production

I create exquisite bespoke creations that will leave you feeling and looking fabulous. Every time I receive an order, I take the time to work to your specifications and vision. Buying and creating handmade jewellery should always feel like a personalised experience.

When you place an order with me, I acquire specific materials and stones for your unique project. This part of the process takes a little time before I can begin work on your piece. Because I do not purchase my supplies in bulk, I pay a greater premium for my materials than large-scale producers.

For whatever reason, people often forget that designers, artists, and makers are skilled professionals who should be compensated in the same way as any other professional. No other profession is expected to work for far less than their standard rate of pay (or even to work for free).

Because of this lack of understanding of what art and design are worth, most designers and artists struggle to work at their crafts full-time and must support themselves with part-time jobs. Many never even pay themselves a fair wage or a decent rate of compensation. Art takes time, attention, energy, and passion. This equates to long hours and much effort. So, keep in mind that when someone claims that handmade products are overpriced, the creator has likely just barely paid themselves minimum wage.

Things to Remember

Remember that designers, makers, artists, and craftspeople are qualified, skilled professionals who deserve compensation for their time.

I hope this article helps you reconsider the pricing of handmade jewellery and explains why handmade jewellery is more expensive than mass-produced products.

With a passion for distinctive and delicate creations, Ertisun is a handmade jewellery brand inspired by Irish nature. Each item is one-of-a-kind and lovingly handmade.

Contact me for more information or to commission your own piece of handmade jewellery today!