Why Handmade Jewellery Costs More (And Why It’s Worth Every Cent)

When people first see my work, one of the first questions I’m asked is: “Why does handmade jewellery cost more than what I can buy in stores or elsewhere online?”

The truth is, handmade jewellery isn’t just an accessory. It’s something crafted with hours of care, designed to last, and made with materials chosen not only for their beauty but also for their durability. And in my case, every piece I make carries a little piece of the ocean with it.

I want to share with you why MY handmade jewellery costs more — and why, when you look closer, it’s worth every cent.

The Hidden Cost of Fast Fashion Jewellery

Fast fashion jewellery is designed to be cheap, quick, and disposable. Most of it is gold-plated, meaning a super-thin layer of gold has been applied to a base metal. That layer rubs off quickly, leaving you with a dull piece you’ll likely never wear again.

Worse still, these base metals often cause irritation or turn your skin green. A $30 plated ring may only last a few weeks, and if you end up replacing it a few times a year, you’ll spend more in the long run than if you had bought one high-quality piece from the start.

That’s why I work only with sterling silver, fine silver and gold-filled metals. Each of these is durable, tarnish-resistant, and safe for your skin. They’re not designed for a season; they’re designed for a lifetime.



Read my story about how I got into silversmithing

What Goes Into Slowly Handcrafted Jewellery

When you buy handmade, you’re not just buying materials — you’re buying the process, the thought, and the care behind every piece.

My Handmade Sea Glass Jewellery 

My handmade sea glass jewellery always begins at the shoreline. I spend time going out on weekends - early mornings, after storms, scouting new places, looking for sea glass. I even have travelled to Tasmania to look for it. I do all the sea glass hunting and I love it! My sea glass is 100% authentic and I wouldn’t have it any other way! (*If you see other websites selling sea glass jewellery that can reproduce the same design then ‘buyer beware’.

Another giveaway that the sea glass isn’t authentic is lots of rare colour colours in the same batch which are all the same size and shape. Pay attention to the details).

Every piece of sea glass I use has been worn smooth by the waves for decades. The ocean does all the shaping, and I never alter that natural form. I might gently sand away a sharp edge so the bezel can wrap cleanly around it, but otherwise, I honour the way the tides have softened it. This means no two pieces are ever alike. Your ring is truly one of a kind – no two pieces of sea glass are ever the same. That uniqueness is part of the value.

When you order a sea glass ring from me, it’s made just for you. I custom-make to your exact ring size, which means it fits perfectly. You also get to choose your band style. Whether you prefer a round band for softness or a flat band for a bolder feel. That level of personalisation is part of what makes handmade jewellery cost more.

You’re not buying something off a shelf; you’re collaborating in the creation of a piece made uniquely for you.

Each sea glass ring or sea glass pendant is set in sterling silver, with a fine silver bezel around the glass. Fine silver doesn’t tarnish the way sterling does, which keeps the setting bright and helps protect your sea glass from dents. It’s a thoughtful detail that ensures your ring stays beautiful for years to come.

The Emotional Side of My Sea Glass Jewellery

For me, jewellery has never been just about adornment. It’s about connection. Connection to the ocean, to nature, and to the stories we carry within ourselves.

Sea glass, in particular, holds a deep symbolism that resonates with me every time I hold a piece in my hand. Once sharp and broken, discarded as waste, it’s tossed into the sea and left to the mercy of the tides. Over decades, the waves shape it, soften it, and transform it into something frosted, smooth, and beautiful.

I think of it as nature’s reminder that nothing is ever truly lost. Just as life sometimes throws us lemons — heartbreak, challenges, moments we never expected.

The struggles we face can shape us into who we are meant to be. Like sea glass turning from something broken into beautifully frosted treasure, our obstacles refine us, soften our edges, and reveal our resilience.

When you wear a piece of my handmade sea glass jewellery, you’re not just wearing sea glass the material. You’re wearing a memory of the ocean, a story of transformation, and a reminder that beauty often comes from the hardest parts of our journey.

And then there's the part I love. The mystery in the history — the magic of not knowing where each shard began, and how it ended up in the ocean, but honouring the journey it took to become what it is today. A beautifully frosted gem quality piece of sea glass.

My Freshwater Pearl, Seashell and Gemstone Beaded Jewellery (Sterling Silver or 14K Gold-Filled)

Alongside my sea glass rings and other sea glass jewellery work, I also create beaded jewellery using freshwater pearls, gemstones, and shells. These I hand-assemble at my beading bench, thoughtfully combining textures and colours until each design feels the right vibe!.

For these designs, I use either sterling silver or gold-filled jewellery making components called ‘findings’ (Tip: if  you are ever interested in making your own beaded jewellery just goggle ‘jewellery making supplies and findings).

For my gold pieces I use 14k Gold-filled components. Gold filled is very different from gold-plated. It is not gold-plated at all. Gold-filled is real gold that is pressure bonded to jewellers brass and it contains 100 times more gold, which makes it far more durable and resistant to tarnishing. It offers the look and feel of solid gold without the high price tag, making it a wonderful affordable option for pieces you’ll wear every day.

Supporting Small Makers and Sustainability

When you choose handmade jewellery, you’re not only buying a beautiful piece; you’re making a choice to support small makers and sustainable practices.

I collect my own sea glass by hand and source my materials thoughtfully. I use packaging that is 100% plastic-free, recyclable, and compostable. And I donate $1 from every order to ocean cleanups because I believe in giving back to the sea that inspires my work.

Every piece you buy supports an artist, not a factory.

The Bottom Line: Jewellery That Lasts, Stories That Matter

Handmade jewellery costs more because it carries more. More time, more care, more meaning, and more durability. My sea glass jewellery (crafted in sterling and fine silver) and my beaded jewellery, made in sterling or gold-filled, are both designed to become part of your life, not sit forgotten in a drawer.

These are pieces you can live in, love in, and feel connected to, not just for a season, but for years to come.


If you’re ready to invest in jewellery that lasts and carries the spirit of the ocean, I’d love to invite you to explore my Angela Wozniak Jewellery collections. Maybe the next piece you choose will feel like it was always meant to be yours.

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