Making your own jewelry can be an amazing hobby to pick up because you not only get to wear the jewelry you make, but you can also gift it to friends and family or even sell it to generate some income from home. Read on to see some of the best materials to use when making your own jewelry so you can get a good idea of where to start.
Silver
Silver is an easy choice when it comes to making your own jewelry. This is because it’s pliable and beautiful when cast into different jewelry designs. Just make sure that you’re good at the skill so you don’t waste it as it’s a precious metal and is, therefore, a bit pricey, especially in its purest form. You could use steel to practice, which looks similar but is a bit cheaper. It’s also one of the most widely recycled materials in the world, especially in light of increasing environmental awareness. Steel scrap consumption worldwide in 2019 was about 491 million metric tons.
Copper
Another metal you can use to make jewelry with is copper, which has a reddish-orange hue and is also used in electrical equipment and alloys. Since it’s a base metal, you can get it quite affordable and enjoy using it thanks to its malleability and easy-to-stretch nature. It has a green patina appearance when it gets oxidated, and this look is also popular for certain jewelry and findings.
Stainless Steel
This is another strong metal that’s affordable and looks like silver from a distance. If you can get 304 Stainless Steel, know that it’s capable of withstanding temperatures of up to 540ºC or 1004ºF. Stainless steel is also scratch-resistant and can be made in a few different ways, some of which make use of nickel to keep it rust and tarnish-proof. With this in mind, it’s important to know if you’ll be allergic to nickel, as some people are, in which case you should avoid using it.
Brass
Still on metals, brass is another option that is popular because of its affordability. When polished, it has a yellow sheen that oxidizes over time to take on a more antiquated look which some jewelry-makers seek. It’s an alloy of Zinc and Copper and can be used to represent gold, especially in costumes and steampunk-themed jewelry, and more.
Pearls
Pearls are another staple of jewelry making that can be used in jewelry of all kinds, from rings and bracelets to necklaces and earrings or even full jewelry sets. If you want to make jewelry that will comprise strings and can benefit from the appearance of beads, then pearls are a good option for you. Thanks to the advancement of the techniques used in jewelry-making, it has become easier than ever to get pearls as they can be created artificially by culturing.
Granite
Finally, if you’re experienced and have the right tools and safety gear, you can make jewelry with granite. This is because, with a rank of eight on the Mohs scale which measures hardness, it’s pretty hard and needs special know-how to handle and mold successfully. From rings to pendants, there is a considerable variety of jewelry that can be made from granite.
Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, it’s important to make sure you work with the right tools and have the correct gear when making jewelry. Look online for the most common jewelry-making tools and supplies if you’re a newbie, and find ideas and inspiration online whether you’re a pro or an amateur. You will enjoy making jewelry the more you do so as you will learn new skills, so keep at it and learn all you can about it.
