What Does “Handmade” Actually Mean? A Look Inside the Studio
“Handmade” is a term that’s used a lot in jewellery. Sometimes it’s accurate, and sometimes it’s simply a marketing label applied to pieces that are largely machine-made before being finished by hand. At Jody 925 Jewellery, I believe it’s better to show what handmade really means rather than simply say it.
Starting With Raw Materials
Every piece begins with raw precious metals — primarily 925 sterling silver, and increasingly 9 carat gold as my collection grows — together with carefully selected natural gemstones. Rather than assembling pre-made settings, each design starts from sheet, wire, or other raw materials that are cut, shaped, formed, and soldered entirely by hand in my studio.
Every Stage Is Done by Hand
From sawing and filing to soldering, shaping, polishing, and finishing, every stage is completed by me. Each piece develops gradually through traditional jewellery-making techniques, allowing me to focus on quality, proportion, and craftsmanship from beginning to end.
Stone Setting Is a Skilled Hand Process
One of the most misunderstood parts of jewellery making is stone setting. A gemstone isn’t simply clipped into a ready-made setting. Each seat is carefully prepared, the stone is positioned by hand, and every prong is individually tightened and adjusted to hold the gemstone securely while ensuring it sits straight and beautifully balanced.
It’s a slow, precise process that takes patience, experience, and attention to the smallest details.
Handmade Doesn’t Mean Perfectly Identical
Because each piece is individually made by hand, no two will ever be completely identical. Tiny variations are part of genuine craftsmanship and give each piece its own character. They are not flaws—they’re evidence that your jewellery wasn’t mass-produced on a factory production line.
Why It Matters
Making jewellery by hand takes considerably longer than mass production, but it allows complete control over every stage of the process. Every solder joint, every polished surface, and every gemstone is personally inspected before a piece leaves the studio.
When you choose handmade jewellery from Jody 925 Jewellery, you’re choosing craftsmanship, quality, and a piece that has been individually created with care from raw materials—not simply assembled from pre-manufactured parts.
As my collections continue to grow, you’ll also see more handmade 9 carat gold jewellery alongside my sterling silver designs, all created with the same commitment to traditional craftsmanship and attention to detail.
