Are You a Handmade Jewelry Virgin?

If you love jewelry, but have never purchased a handmade piece - you are a "handmade jewelry virgin". But don't fret I can help you solve that problem and I won't tell anyone!

So why lose your virginity? Because wearing great jewelry is your announcement to the world that you are an extraordinary woman. Wearing a necklace where every stone was hand selected and carefully strung is like wearing a crown. Adorning ourselves with jewelry is one of the oldest ways of expressing ourselves and making ourselves more desirable. Choosing handmade jewelry means you take extra care in creating a unique persona. Wearing bold handcrafted designs announces your confidence.

This post is the first in a series of tips on what to look for when selecting handmade jewelry. Don't forget to bookmark this site so you don't miss a single installment.

Today's Tip: Look for quality, high-end clasps. Ornate and durable clasps can be a costly addition to a handcrafted bracelet or necklace so mass-produced and low-end designers typically opt for the less expensive circle/ring or lobster clasp. These clasps can be more difficult to manipulate and often fail especially when used with heavier designs. The clasp should be of significant size to handle the weight of stone beads and multiple strands. In high-end artisan jewelry, the clasp is more than a security element - it is a design enhancement. The clasp should match or coordinate with the primary metal used in the jewelry design. For example: Shiny silver pendant = shiny silver clasp. Casual designs should have a casual looking connecting clasp.