Considered Handcrafted Jewelry: Why I Use Fine Metals and a Mix of Precious & Semi-Precious Gemstones
In a world full of fleeting trends and fast fashion, handmade jewelry offers something rare: craftsmanship, authenticity, and meaning. I believe that jewelry should be more than just beautiful—it should be built to last, made with intention, and feel deeply personal.
That’s why I chose to craft jewelry using fine metals like sterling silver and solid gold, combined with a curated selection of precious and semi-precious gemstones. It’s a balance of quality, beauty, and accessibility that allows each piece to be worn, loved, and treasured for years to come.
In this post, I'm pulling back the curtain on how our jewelry is made, why I use the materials I do, and what sets handmade pieces apart from mass-produced styles.
Fine Jewelry Metals: The Foundation of Lasting Beauty
Jewelry begins with its base—the metal—and I've chosen only high-quality, fine precious metals for our pieces.
Sterling Silver (92.5% pure silver)
Sterling silver is a timeless favourite, known for its brilliant shine and durability. It’s perfect for everyday wear, hypoallergenic for most skin types, and easy to polish back to life if it ever dulls over time.
The Ascending Eterna Ring in sterling silver
Solid Gold (9k, 14k, 18k)
Unlike gold-plated, gold vermeil, and gold-filled options, solid gold holds its colour and luster forever. I offer various karats to offer different hues and hardness levels—9k gold is our go-to for its perfect balance of strength and warmth. Solid gold is heirloom-worthy and luxurious without being overly flashy.
As difficult as it has been to stick with only offering solid gold with current rising gold prices (an all-time high!) - it is a choice I stand by whole heartedly. Gold-plated, gold vermeil, and gold-filled are all synonyms for a layer of gold over a different base metal. Different thicknesses may last a little longer than others but however long it takes, the gold is still being worn away over time, essentially into the abyss - this is waste that our jewelry will not take part in. And whenever possible, I opt for our pieces to be made in recycled solid gold.
I never use brass or mystery base metals because your skin deserves better—and your jewelry should be with you for the long haul, not just a season.
The North Star Signet in 9k yellow gold
Gemstone Storytelling: Why I Use Both Precious & Semi-Precious Stones
Gemstones are the heart of our jewelry. They add colour, meaning, and personality to each piece. I work with both precious and semi-precious gemstones, carefully sourced for their beauty, quality, and character.
Precious Gemstones
The "big four"—diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald—have long been regarded as precious due to their rarity and value.
- Diamonds: Tiny accent diamonds or salt-and-pepper diamonds for excellent for adding organic beauty and subtle sparkle to any pieces. Pieces that are customized with diamonds can be specially ordered so that whenever possible, I am able to ethically source recycled or lab-grown diamonds to align with our values.
- Rubies & Sapphires: These bold, durable stones bring richness and royalty to any design. Sapphires, especially, come in a wide range of colours—not just classic blue. And that is why they are a favourite amongst my designs.
- Emeralds: Known for their deep green hue and timeless appeal, emeralds are often centerpieces in more statement-style rings and pendants. Like diamonds, pieces customized with emeralds can be specially ordered! Just shoot me an email studio@jacquelynpearce.com
Semi-Precious Gemstones
Often more affordable but just as striking, semi-precious stones allow us to offer more variety, colour, and personality. Each stone coming with its own unique lore.
- Rainbow moonstone: With its ethereal glow and subtle colour flashes, moonstone is a customer favourite for its calming energy and romantic appeal.
- Tourmaline: A stone with spectacular colour diversity, tourmaline brings a playful and vibrant edge. And with a hardness of 7-7.5 on the Moh's scale, it's durable enough for every day wear with the right setting.
- Garnet, Peridot, Topaz, Zircon, Rose Quartz: These gems are perfect for everyday luxury—durable enough to wear regularly, yet unique enough to feel special.
By mixing these two gemstone categories, a wide variety of styles and price points can be offered in our jewelry, without ever compromising on quality or craftsmanship.
Handmade with Intention: The Craft Behind the Stone
Every piece of jewelry we make is handcrafted in small batches or made-to-order in my studio. That means no mass production, no corners cut—just time, care, and passion poured into each design.
Here’s what you can expect from our handmade process:
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Design With Meaning
No fast trends. Instead, each design is made with symbolism, personal connection, and timeless aesthetics in mind. Many of our pieces are inspired by nature, heritage, or emotional milestones like anniversaries, birthdays, or life transitions. -
Ethical Sourcing
I strive to work with suppliers who offer ethically sourced gemstones and recycled metals. Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword —it’s a responsibility. -
Customization & Personalization
Whether it’s choosing your own stone, or making a piece in a different colour of solid gold, I love helping customers tell their stories through jewelry. The mix of fine metals and gemstone options gives us room to personalize without compromising quality. -
Durability Meets Delicacy
I design jewelry to be worn every day—not just stored away for special occasions. That’s why I use solid metals and durable stones in our detailed pieces. With proper care, they’re built to be keepsakes.
Why This Matters: Jewelry That’s Worth Keeping
There’s a special kind of joy in wearing a piece of jewelry that was made just for you, using real materials and old-school craftsmanship. When you invest in handmade jewelry made with fine metals and quality gemstones, you’re doing more than buying an accessory—you’re choosing:
- Longevity over disposability
- Story over mass production
- Art over trend
- Connection over convenience
You’re also supporting small makers who care deeply about their craft and the people they serve.
How to Care for Your Handmade Jewelry
To keep your handmade fine-metal and gemstone jewelry looking its best:
- Store in a soft, dry pouch to avoid scratches or tarnish.
- Keep away from harsh chemicals (like perfume, chlorine, or cleaning products).
- Clean gently with warm water and a soft cloth or use a silver polishing cloth for sterling pieces.
- Take off when swimming or doing strenuous activity—even the most durable pieces need a little TLC.
Luxury, Your Way
At Jacquelyn Pearce Jewelry, I believe that luxury should feel personal, not out of reach. That’s why we use fine metals like sterling silver and gold, paired with a thoughtful mix of precious and semi-precious gemstones. The result? Jewelry that’s beautiful, meaningful, and made to last.
Whether you’re treating yourself or someone you love, I invite you to explore our collection of handcrafted pieces. Every ring, necklace, bracelet, and earring is made with care—because your story deserves nothing less.
Browse Our Latest Collection
➡️ Explore our collection by gemstone
➡️ Learn how to keep your sterling silver pieces shining
Have questions about a specific stone or metal? I'm happy to help! Just email me or drop me a message on Instagram— I love chatting about jewelry!