Wire Wrapped Jewelry

Wire wrapping is one of the oldest techniques for making jewelry by hand. In wire wrapping, jewelry is made using jewelry wire and findings similar to wire to make components. Wire components are then connected to one another using mechanical techniques with no soldering or heating of the wire. Frequently, in this approach, a wire is bent into a loop or other decorative shape and then the wire is wrapped around itself to finish the wire component making that loop or decorative shape permanent. Because of this technique for wrapping wire around itself this craft is called wire wrapping.

History of wire jewelry:

Examples of wire and beaded jewelry made using wire wrapping techniques date back to thousands of years BC. The British Museum has samples of jewelry from the Sumerian Dynasty, found in the cemetery of Ur that contain spiraled wire components. This jewelry is dated at approximately 2000 BC. Other samples of jewelry from Ancient Rome show wire wrapped loops. This Roman Jewelry is dated to approximately 2000 years ago. In the manufacture of this early jewelry the techniques for soldering did not exist. Later, as the technique for soldering developed, the wire wrapping approach continued because it was an economical and quick way to make jewelry components out of wire.

Currently, wire wrapping techniques are not frequently used for mass produced jewelry because of simple economics. Machines can cast jewelry components much faster and cheaper. Artisans or craftsmen are required to make jewelry by hand and in the current mass marketplace, machines are less expensive and perhaps more precise. At this time, using the wire wrapping approach to making jewelry is primarily employed by individual craftsmen and women. The craft of wire wrapping has not been precisely defined and for this reason it is difficult to define unequivocally.

How to Buy Old Jewellery Online

Buying a piece of old jewellery can be a great investment. Second hand jewellery is often sold for a third or half of the price of the item if it were to be bought new.The second hand market is growing in popularity as more people find that the price of buying new precious metal and gem set jewellery is rising beyond their budgets. Choosing a second hand item can give you the opportunity to buy exactly what you want without having to compromise.

Reputation

There are a number of things to consider before you purchase an item of second hand jewellery. The first is to consider the reputation of the establishment you are buying from. You need to know that they are both trustworthy and knowledgeable. There are a number of indicators that can help you to make an informed decision. The first is to see if the company are registered with any industry trade bodies. For example Find Jewellery is a trading name of Janak Raj Kanwal Jewellers, we are members of the National Association of Goldsmiths which have regulations governing sales and a strict code of conduct. 

Qualifications

Secondly you should enquire about the qualifications of the member of staff responsible for selecting the second hand items. There should be a highly qualified individual with the ability to gauge the value and quality of goods independently. One of the most internationally respected organisations is The Gemmological Association of Great Britain also known as Gem-A. One of our members of staff is a Fellow of this association and also has their diamond certification. These highly regarded qualifications enable her to accurately and astutely analyse the value of jewellery.

Relish the Range

The next thing to do is to have a good look around and see the different things that are on offer. Part of the excitement of buying second hand jewellery is that you never know what you might find. You will be amazed by the range of old jewellery available. All ages and styles turn up in second hand jewellery collections; from antique to vintage and modern.

Ask for Advice

Never be afraid to ask for retailers expert advice. They should be able to help you make an informed decision about your purchase. For example some items are not suitable for every day wear such as our 9ct rose gold charm bracelet. The links of the bracelet are hollow and would be likely to sustain damage if worn on a daily basis. It has been designed for special occasion wear. On the other hand some pieces are perfectly suited to every day wear including our rub over set second hand diamond ring. The style of the setting secures the stone and mimises the risk of any damage. A responsible jeweller should be happy to discuss the merits and failings of different styles and types of second hand jewellery, in fact it is a key part of their job.