The dictionary defines an artisan as someone who produces something in limited quantities often using traditional methods. We have seen artisan bread, artisan cheese and artisan beer in recent years. The term has come to connote something unusual and of high quality.

Artisan jewelry is designed and created by an artisan and either made as one-of-a-kind or in limited editions. It is not enough that it is simply hand crafted or one-of-a-kind. Artisan jewelry represents a high level of creativity and craftsmanship, using the best quality materials.

Creativity

A piece of artisan jewelry should stand out from the crowd. Artisan jewelry is not a stone set in a purchased casting or a collection of purchased charms on a purchased chain. It is a piece of jewelry that is designed and created by a skilled artist.

An artisan piece may use an unusual combination of materials or interesting juxtaposition of techniques. It may be an utterly simple, fanciful concept or an extravagantly detailed piece of jewelry. Frequently we see an artisan’s jewelry evolve over a period of time as he or she pushes the techniques and materials to another level and explores the possibilities for an innovative expression of his or her vision.

Craftsmanship

The piece should demonstrate a masterful level of craftsmanship and be finished to the highest degree.

The piece should be sturdy enough to stand up to the rigors of being worn. This sturdiness has to do both with the construction of the item and the materials used. A substantial weight for the size of the piece is an indication that the designer planned for wear ability of the piece.

Artisan jewelry is created one piece at a time and that gives each step a chance to be inspected and adjusted before the next step is taken. This should provide you with a quality, long-lasting piece of jewelry that is unusual and appealing.

Materials

Artisan jewelry can be fine jewelry, bridge jewelry or fashion jewelry. Any of these three classifications of jewelry can be artisan made, individually designed and created by a skilled artisan.

Fine jewelry is generally made of precious metals and precious or semi-precious stones.

Bridge jewelry is normally created with semiprecious metals and semi precious stones.

Fashion jewelry is composed of base metals, fibers, plastic or other synthetic stones and components.

Today's artisan jeweler has access to an almost unlimited supply of unusual and interesting materials to work with in creating the jewelry. While artisan jewelry may not always hold intrinsic value just from the materials, an artisan made piece has high value due to a unique and individually created combination of the artisan's creativity, craftsmanship and choice of materials. If the piece is signed, that is a plus. You never know what "name" may break away and become valuable as a collectible.

Moonstone Silver Ring Solitaire Unisex Size 675 Hand Man Made New    US $9.09

Cats Eye Silver Ring Solitaire Unisex Size 825 Hand Man Made New    US $11.38

Moonstone Silver Ring Solitaire Unisex Size 625 Hand Man Made New    US $9.09

Moonstone Silver Ring Solitaire Unisex Size 8 Hand Man Made New    US $9.09

Moonstone Silver Ring Solitaire Unisex Size 95 Hand Man Made New    US $9.09

Sterling Silver Men’s Scottish Thistle Lion Rampant Signet Ring sz 12 EV21    US $89.99

marquise Lapis Lazuli ring Silver Men Wo size 4 to 18 1 2    US $94.00

Garnet ring Silver Men Wo size 4 to 18 1 2 adjustable Handmade textured    US $86.00

Sterling Silver Turquoise Mens Ring by Varm Size 85    US $52.00

Labradorite ring Silver Men Wo size 4 to 18 1 2 adjustable Handmade textured    US $71.00

925 STERLING SILVER MENS ring bumble bee yellow agate opal jasper cab fire BF5    US $129.00

HANDMADE JEWELRY RING WITH TURQUOISE GEMSTONE SIZE 9 10 FOR MEN OR WOMEN    US $17.63

925 Solid Sterling Silver Classic Men`s Band Ring Size 115 US    US $23.99