How To Tell If Shop/Business/Maker/Instagram Account Is Selling Handmade Jewelry?
I was just partaking in my daily afternoon activities: browsing Instagram, other jewelry companies' profiles. Every time I see "handmade" on a profile I feel the duty to check and be proven wrong of my initial assumption of "no its not". This one was a little trickier because the website did not describe how the jewelry is made, and that’s what sparked an idea of showing you all where to check to see if the account is selling handmade or everything but handmade. (BTW, my initial assumption was correct, unfortunately.)
I'm irate because when a potential client visits the page and sees "handcrafted" it is deceiving. First impressions tend to last in our minds, since this was mentioned in the account's bio, leading the person to believe the traditional definition of handmade.
Anyways, first I always check the website. You want to look for things to click on that read something like these: about, our process, build your own, bespoke/custom process, FAQ, info, etc. Look at top menus of the websites, as well as footers (scroll to the very bottom, typically where the boring legal stuff is).
About/Info/Our Process- usually includes how the jewelry is made. Sometimes will include mention of [master] caster, [adjective] designer, etc.
Custom/Bespoke/Build Your Own- Will usually describe the process of custom orders. Look for words like CAD, render, 3D model, casting, additional revision fee.
FAQ- these are frequently asked questions, if you haven't gotten your answer from the previous pages, at this point I'm not even sure they will put it here, but you can check.
If you still don’t know (this is the point where I realized I should share this), then we check Instagram. Start with highlights.
Look for titles like: BTS (behind the scenes), WIP (work in progress), studio, bench (on the bench or at the bench) making, about, info, FAQ (same as the website).
BTS/WIP/Studio/Bench/Making- if the jewelry that is being presented is indeed handmade, look for things like wooden bench, which sometimes is just regular desk, but is a location that has tools, typically all over the place, unorganized. Look for a hanging motor, table motor, any other machines that you may not even know what they're for. Another good indicator is a bench pin, typically a wooden (sometimes plastic) piece attached to the bench that jewelers use to hold their work on.
This is my personal bench pin.
Microscopes, clamps & vices, hammers, pliers, rolling mills, [insert an endless list of tools here], are also indicators of a workshop.
Another great sign, however is NOT the only sign (many purchase metal in sheet form and work it, still is handmade), for truly handcrafted is a location in a studio where the maker melts the metals. It will look dirty (because making jewelry is a dirty occupation in general), and will have things like this:
This is my small melting and pouring set up. The white boards are called soldering boards, which every jeweler has, and is also used to melt lower purity metal onto various jewelry parts to hold everything together, either during making or sometimes repairing.
The black honks of steel are called molds. This is where the metal is poured. Then it gets worked by a rolling mill and other hand tools.
If you see different color wax, kilns, casting "trees" (multiple pieces of jewelry in wax all connected), candles burning wax or wax pens, and anything else that’s related, then the chances are that this account does casting.
Last few places include browsing through the Instagram feed posts/reels, and search for the same visuals as above.
The very last bit of advice I have for determining handmade or not is to reach out to the maker or company and verify their means of production.
*Regardless of anything, remember to be polite, be nice, and be genuine. This article is for your toolbox of knowledge, not means to go proving businesses wrong. I have/will ever suggest proving anything to anyone. Just keep it mind. If you don’t like what you see, don’t spend your money there.*
Hope this will easily help you determine a handmade shop vs not handmade.