In an industry full of buzzwords - artisan-made, hand-finished, crafted with care - the term “handmade” can feel a little watered down. But to me, it’s anything but vague. “Handmade” is a promise. It means I’ve touched every part of your jewelry piece - literally. It means the idea started in my head, moved through my hands, and became something real in my studio.
It’s not a sketch I sent off for someone else to figure out. It’s not a CAD file handed over to a production team. It’s not one step in a chain of anonymous labor. It’s all me.
Whether I’m sawing, soldering, filing, polishing, or carving wax, I’m there for every moment of creation. Sometimes I start with flat sheet and wire, fabricating the entire form by hand. Other times, I’ll sculpt or carve the design in wax, cast it into precious metal right here in my studio, and set the stones myself. I finish every piece with my own hands, from the first cut to the final polish.
Being a gemologist also means I hand-select every gemstone with intention. I don’t just design around gems. I design for them, knowing how to showcase their beauty while protecting their longevity. Every element matters: balance, durability, brilliance, and emotion. That’s what makes a handmade piece feel complete.
There’s something deeply physical about the act of making. It’s not just about sight and touch - it’s sound, smell, even rhythm. The hiss of the torch. The shift in flame from yellow to blue. The scent of soldering. The smooth resistance of metal under file. These are the cues I’ve come to know and trust. They anchor me in the moment. When I’m at the bench, everything else fades. It becomes a kind of meditation, deep, focused, and full of presence.
That presence is infused into every finished piece. You might not hear the torch or see the wax that came before, but it’s all there, layered into the work like a memory.
“Handmade” and “handcrafted” are often used interchangeably, and I don’t mind that, but I do think it’s important to ask: handmade by whom? Too often, those words are used to describe jewelry that’s been passed through many hands or manufactured overseas. That’s not the kind of work I do. This isn’t assembly-line jewelry. This is one pair of hands - mine - bringing a design to life from start to finish.
When you wear one of my pieces, you’re not just wearing a design. You’re wearing the care, the training, the intention, and the love I pour into every step. That’s what makes it truly handmade.
I wish more people could see what goes into a truly handmade piece of jewelry - not just the time, but the depth of attention and personal connection. It’s a labor of love that starts long before the final polish. It’s in the hours of study, the years of practice, the trust in the process. And most of all, it’s in the joy of knowing that something I made might become part of your life—your story.
That’s why I do what I do. Because handmade isn’t just a process. It’s a way of honoring beauty, craftsmanship, and connection - one piece at a time.
Ready to experience what handmade truly means?
Shop all handmade jewelry or book a custom consultation to begin the process of creating your own one-of-a-kind treasure—crafted by my hands, just for you.
0 comments
