Sometimes a piece of jewelry just catches your attention. It might be the color of a turquoise stone, a little detail in the silver, or the way a ring feels when you try it on.
As a maker, I love seeing that happen—especially when someone keeps coming back to the same piece. Usually, that’s the one. 😊
But there’s a lot that happens before that piece makes it into the display case.
I’ve spent years making jewelry, and one of my favorite parts is still figuring out what to do with a beautiful stone. At h.g. Jewelry in downtown Broken Bow, I work with sterling silver, genuine turquoise, and natural gemstones to make pieces with their own personality. Here’s a little look at what goes into them.
It usually starts with a stone
If you’ve ever looked through a tray of turquoise, you probably understand how easy it is to get distracted by just one more stone.
The color catches your eye. Then you notice the pattern. Then you turn it sideways and start thinking it would make a really good pendant.
That’s often where a design starts for me.
I look at the stone’s shape, color, and markings and decide what kind of setting will bring those details out. Sometimes it needs a little something extra. Other times, the stone has plenty going on, and a simple silver setting lets it speak for itself.
Even turquoise from the same mine can look very different from one stone to the next. Those differences give me something new to work with, and they’re a big part of why I enjoy making one-of-a-kind jewelry.
There’s a lot of work in those little details
A finished piece doesn’t show you every step it took to get there.
Depending on the design, I might be measuring, sawing, shaping, filing, soldering, sanding, setting the stone, and polishing. And sometimes going back to work on a detail that needs a little more attention.
The bezel—that little rim of metal around the stone—needs to fit properly. Connections need to be secure. Edges need to feel smooth. A ring should be comfortable enough that you actually want to wear it.
These aren’t necessarily the things you notice first when you’re shopping. But they matter once that piece becomes something you wear all the time.
After doing this for years, I still give those steps the time they need. There’s no point in making something pretty if it isn’t comfortable and well put together.
Handmade and sterling silver mean two different things
This is something worth knowing when you’re shopping for jewelry.
Sterling silver contains 92.5% silver. The rest is other metal, usually copper, which gives it more strength than pure silver on its own.
“Sterling” tells you about the metal. “Handmade” tells you about the process.
You can find sterling silver jewelry made in lots of different ways. And a handmade piece can include ready-made components, too. For example, I might make a pendant by hand and pair it with a commercially made sterling silver chain.
You don’t have to know all the jewelry terminology to shop confidently. Asking what a piece is made from and how it was made is a great place to start. I’m always happy to talk about those things.
The little choices make it personal
There are a lot of decisions in a piece that probably aren’t obvious at first glance.
Should the stone sit vertically or sideways? How much silver should show around it? Does it need texture? A bright finish? Something a little softer?
Those are the details I get to work through at the bench.
Even when I revisit a design, a different stone can change the whole feel of it. That keeps the work interesting for me and gives you more chances to find something that feels like your style.
Handmade pieces can have small variations, but I still want the same things from every piece: a secure setting, a comfortable fit, and a finish that feels intentional.
You’re paying for more than the silver and stone
I understand why people compare jewelry prices. It’s something you’re spending your money on, and you should feel good about what you’re buying.
With handmade jewelry, the materials are only part of the cost.
There’s also the time spent designing, building, setting, and finishing the piece, along with the tools and experience that go into the work. Some of the smallest pieces take quite a bit of patience.
A simple design isn’t always a quick one, either. When there isn’t much decoration, every edge and line really shows.
So while the silver and gemstone have a cost, there’s also a lot of work involved in turning them into a piece that’s ready to go home with you.
You get to know a little of its story
One thing I really enjoy about having a shop is getting to meet the people who wear my jewelry.
You can ask about a stone, try on a few pieces, or find out how something was made. If you’re curious about how to care for it, we can talk about that, too.
My workspace is right here in the shop, so depending on when you stop in, you might catch me at the bench working on something new.
And if you’re visiting Broken Bow, it’s a fun way to take home something connected to the place you spent your weekend. You get a piece you love and a little story to go with it.
Find the one you keep thinking about
You don’t need a special occasion to enjoy a piece of handmade jewelry.
It can be a gift, a reminder of a trip, or just something you saw and loved. Maybe it’s a turquoise pendant in your favorite shade of blue. Maybe it’s a ring you’ll end up wearing almost every day.
That’s what I hope you find when you look through my work—something that feels like you.
If you’re in Broken Bow or staying nearby in Hochatown, come see me at h.g. Jewelry, 24 N. Broadway in downtown Broken Bow. Take your time, try a few things on, and see what catches your eye.
Jewelry should feel personal.
— Brandi