If you ever ask someone to define “fine jewellery”, you will mostly get answers like it is the jewellery made up of traditionally “precious” metals like gold, diamonds, and platinum. But in reality, if you go to any of the high-end jewellery stores today. You will definitely find fine jewelry that is not just limited to this definition. 

Jewellery designers and manufacturers are willing to experiment and mix non-traditional materials such as cords, leather, exotic hardwoods, unusual gemstones with traditional fine jewellery materials.

Jewellery designers discovering other alternative materials for fine jewellery: 

Jewellery designers have to rethink their product offerings in terms of fashion jewellery and fine jewellery as the prices of gold have escalated over the past five years or so. Jewellery designers before the time of pre-2008 era would have never dreamed of working on anything other than gold. But now, jewelry designers have taken a step further and are in the search of alternative metals such as platinum, titanium, tungsten and stainless steel in order to achieve their vision. 

What is the Reason Behind Going for other Alternative Materials? 

The move to silver and other alternative materials by fine jewelry designers is also because of the reaction to the economic situation. Due to the economic crunch, the consumer’s income was cut in half while the prices of the metals tripled. Therefore, jewellery designers started to use thinner and less precious metal pieces. This step was the most sensible for letting the art of fine jewelry designing run. 

But this reason was not the only reason why we find the boundaries growing between the fine and fashion jewelry worlds. It is also because of some other factors that have come into play in the world. While the rise in precious metals prices has had a major impact on this blurring, other factors like the generation of buyers have now changed. They don’t want to settle down to traditional metals. They want to experiment and make their own personal statement. That is also the reason why other alternative metals in fine jewellery are also becoming popular. 

Is Silver the New Gold?

If you would look back at time, silver wasn’t really considered as a metal that is being used for making fine jewellery. Luxury brands like John Hardy and David Yurman brought silver into the world of fine jewellery making. Ever since that time, silver has become acceptable in the fine jewellery business. The brands raised the bar for silver jewelry by selling the luxury of silver and marketing it as a lifestyle choice for the consumers. They made silver a viable option for fine jewellery making.

Ever since silver has witnessed a surge in its usage among fine jewellery designers and manufacturers. Most of the jewellery designers and manufacturers have actually started to embrace this metal because of its post-recession precious status and relatively low cost. Jewellery designers who previously used to work only in gold have now turned to work even with silver.

How to Appeal to a Broader Market of Fine Jewellery? 

In order to appeal to a broader market, the introduction of a new silver line seems to be a viable option. If not purely silver, one can even have an amalgamation of both gold and silver used while fine jewellery making. This is intentionally done in order to fetch more high prices from the consumer. This also provides the consumer with a perception of added value that enables the product to appear as precious fine jewellery. Many brands use this technique to have an overhand in the market. 

Nowadays, retailers are looking forward to upscale silver designs that they can sell at a valuable price point to the consumers who value the design and the brand name. It is not about gold anymore. By using creativity and brand name to the silver pieces, jewelry designers can easily make a mark for themselves. 

Use of Alternative Materials in Fine Jewellery Looks Cool and Different: 

Sterling may be considered to be the new gold, but it will always be a precious metal. It’s all thanks to the new generation of jewellery buyers that this blur distinction is also no longer required. The new generation of jewellery buyers is more willing and eager to consider not-so-precious materials other than precious ones for their fine jewellery. The steadily rising sales in silver jewelry is a proof of this scenario. 

A lot of new generation consumers buy fine jewellery made of alternative materials as they consider it to be cool. The previous generation used to focus more on having gold jewelry but now the generation has changed. So, they want something new and high-tech. This is the reason why they are cool with wearing jewellery made up of alternative materials. 

Why Does the New Generation Love to have Alternative Materials in Fine Jewellery? 

This generation of consumers is looking forward to expressing themselves individually. This desire to express themselves individually set them apart. Thus, they select something that speaks to them rather than going on with the traditional fine jewellery. Jewellery designers in turn are taking this positively and therefore, they are responding by creating pieces that are unique and modern.

The Power of Celebrity Influencers to Influence the Buying of Fine Jewellery: 

High metal prices and new generation demands have made the jewellery designers shift from traditional fine jewellery to fine jewellery made up of alternative materials. When it comes to fueling demand in the market, never underestimate the power of celebrity-style influencers. It is not at all uncommon to see even the richest movie stars wear fine jewellery made up of alternative materials like silver or platinum. Thus, it is very essential for a brand to target such influencers in order to expand their fine jewellery market in one go. 

Nowadays, consumers are much more interested in what celebrities are wearing. Celebrities are like role models and people tend to follow celebrity trends more often. People are more tech-savvy today and they want to own the trends. Thus, celebrity influence gets a major response from the consumers. 

How can JD Institute Help You with Jewellery Designing? 

We at JD Institute offer diploma courses in fine jewellery design. We make sure you learn the ropes of jewellery designing by taking a jewellery design course. Diploma in fine jewellery design has a lot to offer in terms of not just skills but also great career opportunities. Jewellery designing is one of the oldest forms of decoration that is known to the human self. It is used to enhance the real beauty of an individual. 

You can be a great jewellery designer after pursuing a course in fine jewellery design. This diploma course in fine jewellery design is for 1 year. This 1-year diploma course is the right fit for anyone who is looking forward to a career in jewellery designing. With advancements in the techniques and availability of the newer materials in the market, there is a lot of scope in jewelry designing. The curriculum at JD Institute is designed in a way that offers you a handful of industry insights that will help you in the long run.