Whether you wear jewelry every day or you just pull out your jewelry box for special occasions, you can really benefit by having handcrafted artisan jewelry in your collection.

So, what exactly do you get when you buy it?

1. Something that’s totally unique

The jewelry you wear is an expression of your unique personality, so why would you want something that a million other people have? Instead, when you get handcrafted artisan jewelry, you get something that was individually put together – instead of shoved through a machine. As a result, each piece has its own little unique quirks and nuances. Even a batch of similar handmade bracelets or art jewelry rings will all have slight differences to them!

2. Something that you can’t find anywhere else

You can’t walk into the average commercial jewelry store in the mall and find handcrafted artisan jewelry. Sure, what you find in the mall is pretty, but it looks “commercial”. Instead, handcrafted artisan jewelry is typically only found in small, local stores – and is often unique to the region it came from.

3. Something that tells a story

There’s a reason they call them “art jewelry” rings, bracelets, and necklaces! Most handcrafted artisan jewelry has symbolic meaning to it – whether it’s a Karma necklace, an Om ring, or an Atacama bracelet. Whether it’s the shape of the piece itself, the stones used to adorn it, or the carvings on it, the stories behind art jewelry rings, bracelets, and necklaces can go back hundreds – or even thousands – of years, across all kinds of cultural and religious boundaries.

4. Something that’s sustainable

Most of the handcrafted artisan jewelry out there is created with sustainable or even recycled materials – meaning that it’s just as great for the environment as it is for you! And, unlike the mass-produced stuff, handmade artisan jewelry doesn’t require a bunch of energy-sucking machines to manufacture it – meaning that it’s not putting any kind of strain on Mother Nature.

And, just because it’s sustainable doesn’t mean it’s not “shiny” like commercial jewelry. In fact, there is plenty of handcrafted artisan jewelry that’s made out of silver, copper, and even mother of pearl.

5. Something that’s affordable

Going shopping for something like handmade bracelets or rings may sound expensive, but it’s actually not! Amazingly, artisan jewelry retailers have come up with ways to sell their products at affordable prices – and still pay their handcrafted artists a competitive wage. It’s a win-win!