How Can I Tell If Your Silver Jewellery Is Genuinely Handmade?
The clearest answer is that I can show you.
I’m Aimee, the designer and silversmith behind Silver Thistle Workshop. I design and make my jewellery in my Liverpool workshop using recycled silver and carefully selected gemstones.
I share photographs and videos of my hands, tools and jewellery in progress on Instagram and Facebook. I do not record every piece, but I can explain how any of my designs were made and which components I created myself.
How do I make a piece of silver jewellery?
My star necklace and earrings are a good example of how a design moves from a flat sheet of silver to a finished set.
Handmade hammered recycled silver star necklace and earrings by Aimee at Silver Thistle Workshop
I began with recycled sheet silver. I drew the three star shapes onto paper, cut out the templates and glued them to the metal. I then used a jeweller’s saw to cut each shape out by hand.
Once the stars had been sawn out, I hammered the texture into the surface. I filed and sanded the edges before soldering on the jump rings needed for the earring hooks and necklace bail.
The pieces were then pickled to clean the silver after soldering. I cleaned and polished them before making the earring hooks and necklace bail.
Finally, I inspected the whole set and completed a last clean and polish.
A finished piece might look fairly simple, but there are numerous stages behind it.
Why are the pieces not completely identical?
The hammered texture on each star is slightly different because I applied it by hand. The shapes, earring hooks and bail also have small variations.
These differences are not faults. They are a natural result of sawing, forming and texturing the silver individually instead of having identical pieces stamped out by a machine.
However, describing something as handmade should never be used as an excuse for poor workmanship.
Before a piece leaves my workshop, I check the solder joints, edges, findings and polish. If it contains a gemstone, I make sure the stone is secure. I also consider how the jewellery feels and whether it will be comfortable to wear.
If something does not pass my quality check, it is not offered for sale. I either correct it or remake it until I am satisfied with it.
What evidence should you look for?
Look for a named maker who shows their tools, workspace and jewellery being made. Clear product descriptions and realistic prices also help you judge whether the work is genuine.
Does a hallmark prove that jewellery is handmade?
No. A hallmark confirms the precious-metal standard and provides traceability, but it does not prove how the piece was made.
My pieces that require hallmarking under UK law are hallmarked at the Edinburgh Assay Office, as are selected higher-priced designs. Hallmarking can also be requested for lighter pieces for an additional charge and longer dispatch time. Read more on my hallmarking page.
Do I make every part myself?
I design and make the main jewellery pieces myself. Chains and some practical findings come from specialist suppliers, and I am always open about which parts I make and which I source.
What are you receiving from a real maker?
When you buy from Silver Thistle Workshop, you receive a piece that I designed and physically made. I have spent time bringing the design to the result that I—or a commission customer—envisioned.
I use recycled silver and choose my gemstones carefully. I also consider the experience of receiving the jewellery. Your order includes eco-conscious packaging, a jewellery care card, a plantable seed card and a personal note from me.
If you have a question, you can contact the person who made your jewellery rather than a customer service department that has never seen it.
If you are ever unsure whether an item is genuinely made by the person selling it, ask:
“Can you show me how this piece was made and explain which parts you made yourself?”
A genuine maker should be able to answer that clearly.