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brass, bronze, eg. I want my jewelery to last, and be easy to put on. Some clasps can be a bit fiddly or tricky to use, but if I like the item it is attached to a lot, it is a minor discomfort if it is quality.

Safety. From a design angle, look at what you will be wearing the piece with. Will it catch on clothes, or worse, put runs in that special silk scarf, or be too chunky and heavy for your personal comfort?

Another consideration for handcrafted jewelery - would it pass the "toddler test?" Those with kids will know what I mean here; those who don't might find their special necklace fascinating to a teething bub or yanked by an enthusiastically curious six month old... !

If there is a heavy pendant on the necklace - check it's length - will it chip your teeth if you bend over?

Bracelets - one pitfall is the focal sits on top of your wrist area but alas, it is heavy and slides underneath, making the clasp the feature! Look and see if heavier materials are along the length, or nearer the clasp so this is avoided and the piece sits as you want it to.

Another bracelet issue to consider is size. A bracelet of seed beads might need to be say 20 cm to fit comfortably around your wrist. Something that has largish beads (like old trade beads, faux turquoise chunks, chips, etc) will need to be of a longer length to accommodate the thickness of the beads. Extension chain is a bonus, but if you need it too long, it can slide to the top and detract from the design. Too small, and it could dangle and be annoying. That said, the seller might be willing to adjust to your requirements, especially if it is simple. Adjusting a large size to small isn't as easy, for example.You will need to ask and not assume, and work it out with the seller before you commit to bid.

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Don't be backwards in emailing the seller any questions or concerns. Their response can be a good indicator of the pride they take in their craftsmanship.Check their feedback too - common sense needs to be applied here. Check any negatives or neutrals, and the higher the feedback as a seller for handcrafted jewelery, you may be assured of a quality item that will last the passage of years.

I hope this has clarified some things to consider to make your online jewelry buying experience as fabulous as it should be! When you support an artisan/jewelery designer/artist's work, you are getting a piece of contemporary history that - depending upon its materials, will have the potential to be passed down succeeding generations, with its own stories about you. And who knows, you might be supporting tomorrow's hottest designer for the stars!

Learn more about this author, Donni Hakanson.
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