First, let me define this term. “Fine” normally refers to jewelry that is made with precious metals such as gold and uses precious and semi-precious stones, often faceted or specially cut, such as diamonds, rubies, and sapphires. This is the typical jewelry you might find in a typical jewelry store.
On the flip side, while I’m sure some readers of the Jewelry Making site do make fine jewelry, the majority make what might be called “bridge” or “artisan” jewelry. These often incorporate metals such as silver or gold-filled, but the other elements are most likely gemstone beads or hand-crafted jewelry components. These styles of jewelry are often one-of-a-kind or small production work that you might find more often in a gallery, specialty boutique, or art show.
So, I’ve described a few areas of jewelry making, and getting back to my original point, I have had a number of emails asking “How do I become a fine jewelry designer?” Like my first article, I’ll take you through some of the first steps.
