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Is Sterling Silver Handmade Jewelry Better than Machine Made?   by Mike Nielson

There may not be a cut and dry answer to what's better between handcrafted jewelry and machine-made sterling silver jewelry. It comes down to personal preference. However, it's also important to know what you're getting with each one before you decide which one you prefer. Indeed the one trait they have in common is that both varieties are made of sterling silver, but that's about where the similarities stop.

Machine-made jewelry is made with castings and mass-produced, so your piece isn't going to be unique, but it'll likely be easier to find while you're out shopping on the weekend. Machine-made jewelry is often made with a technique that joins two pieces of silver together in a stamping die, as opposed to handmade jewelry, which is often made from one slab of the precious metal. It is also treated with special polishers and grinders to make production faster and more efficient, and the pieces look more refined. Machine-made jewelry also tends to be less expensive because it is mass-produced.

handmade jewelry, on the other hand, is a reflection of the jewelry maker and gives you a unique piece for your collection. It is more expensive than machine-made jewelry; however its worth is justified because of the workmanship and time that goes into making each piece. Handmade sterling silver jewelry is also valued higher, for the same reasons.

Each sterling silver jewelry designer has a different signature

Some of the best jewelers can even make a custom piece from just a photo. Or they can let their creativity take the lead and create pieces from their own ideas. You're more likely to find something that speaks directly to you because the designs are more original than mass-produced jewelry. And if you find a particular designer you like, you can keep going back for more pieces to create a cohesive collection of sterling silver jewelry.

Purchasing jewelry from a designer can become a personal experience and if you're giving the handmade pieces as a gift, it's even more special than one that is machine-made. Even if you wanted something as simple as a necklace, there are so many variations on the types of links and clasps that it might make sense to go with a custom design.

So it's difficult to say if sterling silver handcrafted jewelry is better than machine-made. If you just want a nice piece of sterling silver jewelry that doesn't cost much, then machine-made is a good choice for you. But if you're looking for a truly special piece that's going to be worth the investment for many years to come, then handmade jewelry is worth it.

About the Author

Mike Nielson, For more information on sterling silver handmade jewelry, unique handcrafted jewelry and unusual handcrafted jewelry. Please: http://www.galerina.com/