What You Need To Know About Handmade Versus Cast Jewellery

Finding the perfect piece of jewellery can be a very difficult task – we all have different needs and tastes, so finding something that suits both of these elements while meeting some very specific budget criteria can be tough. What makes this process even more difficult for some is when terms like handmade jewellery and cast jewellery are thrown around – is one better than the other, and will buying one cause issues in the long-term? In this article, we answer these questions to give you a much clearer understanding of the handmade versus cast jewellery debate. 

What cast jewellery is all about

It shouldn’t be a surprise that the best engagement rings in Melbourne are typically handmade, but not everyone has the budget to afford these beautiful rings. This is when some might instead opt for cast jewellery, but knowing how both of these forms of jewellery are actually made is an important factor in making the right decision. Cast jewellery can be considered the most common form of jewellery manufacture out there. It involves pouring molten metal into moulds that are created out of wax, with these moulds being either carved from wax or 3D printed with wax. This process makes it very easy to produce large amounts of jewellery very quickly and accurately. For this reason, jewellery that is cast is usually cheaper than handmade equivalents, and the use of 3D printing can mean that jewellery can be made to very exacting specifications. There are some downsides to casting, however – moulds can accidentally cause the inclusion of small air pockets in the metal when it is poured, which can weaken the finished piece of jewellery. It is also less dense than handmade jewellery, with this decreased density demonstrated with increased proclivity to scratch and bend and also prevents the inclusion of more delicate details. 

Why you might want to go for handmade

Handmade jewellery is less common than cast jewellery and carries a greater expense. Both of these are due to this form of jewellery being created from scratch by someone who has a highly developed understanding of jewellery-making. As handmade rings are not cast, there are no moulds used, and the production of these pieces instead involves a jeweller working with raw pieces of metal. This metal is then cut, hammered, shaped and heated by hand to slowly develop the final design. The process results in quite a few advantages, with one of the clearer examples being a much denser final product due to the hammering and shaping. This not only means reduced scratches and potential bends, but the opportunity to create far more delicate designs than a similar cast piece would allow for. The blending of certain metals is also much simpler, so those wanting a combination of precious metals should opt for handmade jewellery. This is comes at a (literal) cost, though – these pieces will typically cost a lot more and will also take longer to create. 

What option is for you?

As each form of jewellery has obvious pros and cons, its often not clear cut which the ideal option for you may be. If you’re fine with a basic ring and are on a budget, cast rings are often completely fine and will make most more than happy. If you’re after a more delicate design and want your ring to hold up in the long run, perhaps a handmade piece of jewellery is better for you.