Recommendations for small online jewellery makers

September 17, 2013 8:43 PM

I'm looking for a 30th birthday present for my wife who loves jewellery. I know there are some amazing small artists out there creating their own things and selling them online but it's incredibly hard to find them. She's incredibly open minded on styles but loves sapphires and silver and it would be lovely to find an artist who sells things for under $1K. Any recommendations from people on the little known artists worth looking up online?
posted by steerpike to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (15 answers total)

Etsy. Look through Etsy for things that are along the right lines and then message the seller to talk about making something personalized -- many, many jewelry artists are on there, of all skill levels and backgrounds, and most of them will happily do custom things.
posted by brainmouse at 9:01 PM on September 17, 2013

I am very happy with my ring from Clementine, it is just different enough to be special and "me" but still classic and nice.
posted by rmless at 9:02 PM on September 17, 2013 [3 favorites]

https://www.etsy.com/shop/bskdesigns

Love this husband and wife duo. Great communication and beautiful work.
posted by michellenoel at 9:10 PM on September 17, 2013

Metalicious, for certain.
posted by batmonkey at 9:28 PM on September 17, 2013 [2 favorites]

Another vote for etsy. I am expecting a hand made ring this week! And the setting for my engagement ring was custom by by another jeweler from there.
posted by MayNicholas at 4:27 AM on September 18, 2013

Turtle Love does artisan jewelry and has amazing customer service. (I know this because I purchased a vintage ring from them.)
posted by Jahaza at 4:33 AM on September 18, 2013

I've bought my wife a couple of pieces from J.H. Breakell, and she adores them. It's a small family company, and they make some beautiful stuff, some of which is very artistically interesting. (For instance, they do some pieces based on the mobius strip, with the notion of two things joining to become one, forever. Nice.)
posted by jbickers at 5:29 AM on September 18, 2013 [1 favorite]

slashpiledesigns.com has nice stuff and will also work on something custom with you.
posted by sgrass at 5:44 AM on September 18, 2013

I love Sikara, and they have a number of gemstone styles, although it doesn't look like they have sapphires. I am coveting a number of the bracelets they have, and they do lots of 'matching' pieces if you wanted to get earrings/necklace/bracelet combo that go together
posted by darsh at 6:42 AM on September 18, 2013 [1 favorite]

Another vote for Etsy here. My partner and I both got our engagement rings from Winged Lion (another husband and wife team), and they were responsive, fast, and did really beautiful work. I like to recommend them every chance I get.
posted by DingoMutt at 7:37 AM on September 18, 2013 [1 favorite]

this is my personal friend: Andrea Blais who is one of the most amazing artists I know. her jewellery is BEAUTIFUL (like some of the best finishing work I've ever seen, and I work professionally in the industry) and affordable, very interesting and well designed, but still wearable, and she's fantastic to either work with, or just purchase from.

I have a pair of the harvest earrings, and they move gorgeously.

it's hard to make a living as an artist, it's nice that you're supporting that!
posted by euphoria066 at 9:59 AM on September 18, 2013

map of yes has some beautiful and interesting jewelry. Nicole is a pleasure to work with and is happy to create custom pieces.
posted by poodelina at 1:36 PM on September 18, 2013

I visit Kate Szabone's Etsy page all the time just to stare longingly. I haven't bought anything from her though (yet). I linked to her sapphire pieces, which are essentially all rings.
posted by carolr at 3:27 PM on September 18, 2013 [2 favorites]

Where do you live? There may be good art/craft shows where you could find a local jeweler, or a quaint town with great shopping. "Great shopping" usually includes some handcraft/artisan jewelers.
posted by theora55 at 6:29 PM on September 18, 2013

I work for Ruby Lane, so take that into account. However, we have a wide selection of jewelry (both artisan and antique). You may find something that you like on the site.
posted by joelr at 9:23 AM on September 20, 2013