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Should You Copyright Your Jewelry Design?

MKM Jewelry — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 07:48:08 +0000

Among jewelry designers and creators there is a great deal of interest in best practices for intellectual property protection. Several lawsuits have emerged in recent years over infringement of jewelry design copyrights. Properly understanding this topic is key to receiving appropriate recognition and all financial benefit from one's original creation. To adequately address this topic, we should first define intellectual property in specific terms and the legal processes associated with it. We can then discuss the extent of copyright protection for jewelry.

Intellectual Property (IP)

The World Intellectual Property Organization defines intellectual property (IP) as "creations of the mind, such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; and symbols, names and images used in commerce." Protecting IP is critical to maintaining an environment that encourages innovation. Intellectual Property law does this by ensuring a creator can receive recognition for, solely benefit financially from, and prevent unauthorized usage of their original creations. Intellectual property generally falls into four categories, each carrying its own legal processes and requirements:

Copyright
Patent
Trademark
Trade secrets

Let's review what they all mean and their applicability to jewelry copyright.

Copyright vs. Trademark vs. Patent vs. Trade Secret

In general conversation, the terms representing the four categories of intellectual property tend to be used interchangeably. However, each type of intellectual property has a unique legal definition. Understanding the differences between them is crucial to adequately protecting your IP. The following definitions were taken from the World Intellectual Property Organization, and the Legal Information Institute at Cornell University.

A trademark is a phrase, symbol, or word that is meant to be an identifying aspect of a particular brand, seller, or manufacturer. This identifier distinguishes their products from others on the market.
A trade secret includes all confidential business information that gives a business or company a competitive edge over others in the market.
A patent is usually granted for an invention that produces or creates a new process to solve a problem. To get your patent approved, you must provide technical information about the design in a patent application. Any company who wishes to use, make, sell, or distribute a product with your design, must obtain permission first.
The U.S Copyright Act was originally enacted to protect authors. Due to the technological advancements since its original enactment, the act was expanded in 1978 to include all works of physical authorship to protect any representation of the original work. Only the owner of the copyright can reproduce, display, distribute, and license copies of the item.

Critical exceptions to The Copyright Act are items deemed "functional." The U.S Copyright Office deemed almost all fashion to be functional and, therefore, not protected by copyright law. Does jewelry copyright fall under fashion? Today, you’re going to find out. Two government agencies are responsible for administering intellectual property law passed by Congress. These are the U.S Patent and Trademark Office and the U.S Copyright Office.

What Kind Of Jewelry Copyright Protection Should You Pursue?

While fashion was mostly excluded from copyright protection, something else was excluded from this exclusion. Enter, jewelry. Jewelry, in contrast to other fashion, is eligible for copyright protection. Like any other original work, jewelry acquires copyright protections immediately upon production. However, you might still be wondering why you should seek copyright protection versus patent protection. Here's a simple explanation that might clear things up. A patent protects new ideas and concepts for the exclusive use and financial benefit of the inventor. A copyright protects the tangible expression of an idea but not the idea itself, in contrast to a patent which protects the ideas and concepts. For example, Microsoft can copyright its software Microsoft Word but the concept of a word processor cannot be copyrighted. Anyone could code their own word processor from scratch, if they so choose. Patents are granted only for completely new designs, ideas, or concepts. To obtain a patent, instead of a jewelry copyright, you would need to sufficiently proved that your idea presents a brand-new method of doing something that never existed before. So, unless you can claim to have invented the type of jewelry for which you are making a design, it's hardly likely that seeking a patent for your jewelry design will be successful. However, if you can prove that a specific element of your jewelry is a new invention, you might be able to patent that component.

More on Copyright Protections

Economic
Moral

The names themselves are quite self-explanatory but let's go in to some details. Economic protections allow a creator, at his or her discretion, to prevent or authorize use of their creation, whether the usage would be for profit or not. Economic protections also allow a creator to require compensation for any usage. Moral protections preserve a creator's right to be properly credited with the work, and oppose any changes that might be harmful to his or her reputation.

Copyrighting Jewelry

So, how does copyright protection apply to jewelry? Jewelry is copyrighted as soon as it is produced, like any other original creation. No paperwork required. However, in order to take legal action to enforce a copyright infringement, the item must be formally registered. Also, in order to be eligible for statutory damages and legal fees, formal registration must take place within three months of initial publication. In this context, publication refers to any public distribution such as offering it for sale, giving it as a gift, or even posting a picture of it in a public space. Jewelry can be copyrighted as individual pieces, or as collections to reduce the paperwork and cost of the process. The formal copyright registration process takes several months. It bears repeating that an idea or concept for jewelry cannot be copyrighted, only tangible expression of the idea.

Should You Copyright?

There are a few key benefits to acquiring formal copyright protection for your jewelry designs. First, formal registration is required for pursuing a legal copyright infringement case. Also, registering an item within three months of publication entitles you to statutory damages and legal fees when enforcing infringements. However, pursuing a copyright infringement case is a tricky undertaking for the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who bears the burden of proof in these cases, would need to prove both "access and substantial similarity"6 Burden of Proof The person filing the claim must prove that the infringer had access to the original jewelry design and that the infringing work is substantially similar to the original piece of jewelry. If there is no similarity between creations, no copyright infringement has occurred. To dig a little deeper, not all elements of a copyrighted object are protected by copyright law. So, similarity of the pieces of jewelry must be shown specifically between the elements that are eligible for copyright protection. In an even more complicated twist, copyright law allows for two parties to hold valid copyright protections for identical creations under a certain circumstance. This means that if two people create the exact same design with no exposure to each other's work throughout the process, both copyrights are valid. Importation of Infringers Formally registering a jewelry copyright also allows you to register with the U.S Customs and Immigration Service to protect against the importation of copyright-infringing products. Controlling Your Brand Additionally, having a formal copyright on your jewelry gives you more control in enforcing proper commercial use and depiction of your work. Anyone who wants to use your work, whether for financial benefit or not, must seek your permission. A formal copyright registration becomes public record and makes it easier for people to contact you for permission, and easier for you to track usage.

What Your Copyright Doesn't Protect Against

A good understanding of Fair Use doctrine is vital efficient copyright enforcement. According to copyright.gov, your work can be criticized, commented upon, and used in news reporting, research, and education activities. None of these constitutes copyright infringement.

Disadvantages of Copyrighting Jewelry

While there are certainly more advantages than disadvantages to copyrighting your jewelry designs, there are still some downsides to consider before commencing the process. The first thing to bear in mind is that the formal registration process costs money and takes several months. Depending on how many pieces you intend to register, the process could end up being very pricy and a huge burden on your time. However, you can register your jewelry in collections to reduce the cost and time required. If you don't intend to use your jewelry for commercial purposes or economic benefit, the cost and rigor of form jewelry copyright registration can seem like fruitless work.

How Do You Get It Done?

You've considered all the factors, weighed the benefits against the disadvantages, and decided that formal copyright registration is best for your jewelry. How do you get the ball rolling on jewelry copyright? First, it is highly recommended that you file for copyright registration within three months of publication. Doing this will give you a legal claim to statutory damages and legal fees when enforcing infringement. Publication can include posting pictures online or giving the jewelry to someone as a gift. You should then decide how many pieces you'd like to register in that filing. If you designed all the pieces in your collection and they haven't been previously published, they can be registered together for the cost of one filing. Then, go to the electronic copyright office and follow the instructions for registering your jewelry copyright. You can pay the filing fees using your credit or debit card. Be sure to upload the required photos for all the pieces you intend to register. The registration cannot be properly processed without them. Now, you wait. The process typically takes several months.

How Long Does Copyright Protection For My Jewelry Designs Last?

The length of protection depends on when the object was created and registered, but current copyright law protects creations for 70 years beyond the creator's death. Since copyright protection for jewelry applies exclusively to the tangible expression of an idea. If you would like to protect other aspects of your business — such as your company's name, logo or byline — you would need to look into other types of intellectual property protection.

Copyright Laws Benefit All

Overall, the legal processes governing intellectual property in this country are designed to foster innovation and creativity while providing all citizens with fair access to information. By allowing creators to be sole financial beneficiaries of their original work, the system provides economic incentive for citizens to strive for excellence in their chosen crafts. When creative people do their best work, society as a whole benefits from the increased quality of services, products, and information available. Fair Use doctrine further provides means for the general public to benefit from copyrighted jewelry and other creations without violating the copyright-owner's sovereignty over his or her work.

MKM Jewelry — Your Trusted Source

We hope this blog was informative and useful in deciding what's best for protecting your company's jewelry copyrights. Jewelry copyright protections stand at a fascinating intersection of laws and are certainly worthy of further research. We encourage you to explore the wealth of information regarding copyright protection for jewelry available on the internet. Regardless of where you are in the design process, please feel free to contact us for any of your jewelry manufacturing needs. Our experts are equipped and ready to assist you with computer-aided design and manufacturing, engraving, finishing, lost wax casting, laser welding, mold making and setting. Reach out today!

The post Should You Copyright Your Jewelry Design? appeared first on MKM Jewelry, Inc..

How to Make Unique Jewelry Textures with Hammers

MKM Jewelry — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 05:51:34 +0000

When you enter the world of jewelry metalwork, you discover a new fascination with jewelry textures that you never knew existed. You knew before that metal could be cut, shaped, and bent in different ways to form rings, bracelets, and chokers, but adding dimpled or ridged textures to the surface simply makes the pieces so much more exciting!

In this blog post, we focus on jewelry textures, introducing you to the most common tools and hammers for creating all kinds of unique patterns in your metalwork.

What is Texturing?

As one of the elements of jewelry design, “texturing” refers to altering the surface shape of the metal by creating grooves (called “engraving”), hammering from the underside (called “repoussé”), and hammering from the topside (called “chasing”). These techniques have been used since ancient times and result in higher prices for pieces because they are so labor intensive. Depending on the tools and techniques you plan to use to texture your metal, you can either texture the metal flat sheet first and then dome it, or dome it first and then texture it. We will mention the tools that are suitable for texturing different shapes of metal while explaining each one.

Texturing Techniques and Tools

Stamps are one of the quickest and easiest ways to create a pattern in metal and can be used on flat and round surfaces. You can buy pre-made stamps individually or in a set, or design your own.

Another easy technique for texturing is rolling. To do this, the metal needs to be fully annealed, and must be flat. Choose a soft material to place between the metal sheet and the roller, and simply pass the layers through a rolling mill. Voilà! You now have textured metal ready to shape.

For more artisanal and unique texturing, you can use texturing hammers. There are hammers for working with flat, domed, and concave shapes, and you can create all sorts of patterns and effects by using one or a combination of hammers to gently alter and decorate the surface of your metal. Hammers are best held lightly, you’ll want to let the weight of the hammer do most of the work for you. Let’s have a look at the most common types of hammers for creating jewelry textures and how to use each one.

Planishing and embossing hammers

Planishing hammers have a flat face and a rounded face (if double-sided). Create even, overlapping jewelry textures on domed metal by supporting the metal on a mushroom stake and moving it around slowly as you strike. You can use the same technique with both the flat and rounded faces, however, the rounded face will leave deeper marks. It’s even possible to use both faces on the same piece. Start with the curved face and hammer lightly and consistently, following with the flat face to modify the effect.

This hammer is not suitable for concave shapes because the face won’t fit in the curve, but you can use it for flattening out wire and metal sheet, or shaping the metal to fit the shape of the stake underneath—again this requires the strikes to overlap.

Embossing hammers have oval or round faces and create dimpled jewelry textures—those with rounder faces producing a more pronounced effect. As with planishing hammers, embossing hammers can be used in forming the shape of the metal as well as for creating jewelry textures.

Raw silk, sandstone, and customized hammers

As with the last group, these hammers are used for making jewelry textures rather than forming. Raw silk hammers have a flat face and a domed face with etched or raised patterns that you can transfer to the metal by hammering straight down, or layer strikes from both faces for a unique effect.

Sandstone hammers also have a flat face and a domed face, both of which look like meat tenderizers and create a sandstone texture. Use the flat face on domed metal and the domed face on flat metal for best results.

You can even make your own customized hammer by taking an existing model and sawing your original design into the face with a flex shaft. When the design is complete, file, sand, and buff the face and it’s ready to use! Keep the depth as even as possible across the face so your pattern will be equally as deep and clear when you transfer it to the metal. Strike across the metal sheet you want to texture, taking care not to overlap the patterned “stamps” from your unique texturing hammer for a clear result.

Making Samples of your Textures

As you experiment with different jewelry textures, create a sample disc for each technique, hammer, and combination that you use. Buff the blank first for best results. On the back of the metal sheet, write or attach the name of the tools you used, and describe the technique that produced that particular effect. You can keep these as flat sheets, or make your samples from metal circles and dome them for display. To stop the samples from tarnishing, keep them in plastic gem boxes or something similar.

Straight cross-peen, riveting, and goldsmithing hammers

These hammers are used for texturing but not for forming the shape of the metal. The face of a cross-peen hammer is a straight line with varying degrees of sharpness (narrow, thin) or roundness (broad, thick). With cross-peen hammers, you can create jewelry textures made up of short lines that nearly look like engravings. Broader faces can be used in concave shapes for a subtle texture, and narrower faces make the lines much more pronounced. Overlap strikes with a cross-peen hammer to create a rippling, water-like effect.

Riveting and goldsmithing hammers are basically different combinations of planishing and cross-peen faces that allow you to create a larger variety of jewelry textures. Riveting hammers have a flat face and a cross-peen face, although you can modify the faces yourself to be more rounded (as opposed to flat or narrow). Goldsmithing hammers are like riveting hammers but larger, with a round, flat planishing face. To create straight and swirling jewelry textures with straight cross-peen, riveting, and goldsmithing hammers, use a marker to draw lines on the metal as a guide for your strikes as you work your way around.

Add a Distinctive Touch With Laser and Hand Engraving

To add a personalized and distinctive touch to your textured jewelry, have your pieces engraved with MKM’s laser and hand engraving services. We can also set gemstones, finish surfaces in a range of styles, and add enamel to your jewelry in stunning colors. If you have ideas for unique jewelry textures and want to make the most of our complete range of metals, tools, and technology, contact us about our streamlined manufacturing process. To find out more, call us today at (213) 689-4823 or send an email to info@mkmjewelry.com.

The post How to Make Unique Jewelry Textures with Hammers appeared first on MKM Jewelry, Inc..

Custom Birthstone Jewelry

MKM Jewelry — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 06:44:20 +0000

Are you an independent designer who’s looking for an excellent custom jewelry option that will appeal to a wide range of customers? We have your answer: birthstone jewelry. Custom birthstone jewelry offers the perfect canvas for your unique designs. It has something for everyone and never goes out of style!

Birthstones are rich with meaning, and no matter what occasion your customers are shopping for--a birthday, graduation party, wedding, holiday, etc.--birthstone jewelry is always a welcome gift. Learn more about the birthstones for each month, and how you can use them in your custom designs, below.

January: Garnet

Garnet is a very durable gemstone found all over the globe, but the term garnet is actually used to describe a series of several closely-related minerals that can differ greatly in color and clarity. While the most common color for garnets is dark red, they can also be pink, purple, orange, yellow, green, and even colorless.

Garnets symbolize passion, loyalty, faith, success, and friendship. Because of this, custom-made garnet jewelry is a wonderful gift for loved ones and lifelong friends. If you want to give your custom birthstone jewelry a unique touch, feature one of the lesser-known colors in your design, or mix and match various hues to create a signature combination.

February: Amethyst

Amethyst is a member of the quartz family, and it is available in many different shades of purple. Amethyst often occurs in geodes and in the cavities of granitic rocks, and because quartz is the second most abundant material in the Earth’s crust, amethyst can be found all over the globe. Some amethyst is very pale in color, while other specimens are dark and vibrant. The most sought-after amethyst is transparent, strongly saturated, and free from any brown or bronze-colored tints. When it comes to your personalized birthstone jewelry, amethyst can be used in its rough form, or it can be cut and polished.

March: Aquamarine and Bloodstone

Aquamarine

Aquamarine is a variety of the mineral beryl. Pure beryl is colorless, but different impurities can cause beryl to take on a variety of colors. When beryl comes into contact with trace amounts of iron, it takes on a greenish-blue to blue color--which is classified as aquamarine. Aquamarine is often pale in saturation, but the more intense the color is, the more valuable the stone.

Bloodstone

Bloodstone is a dark, earthy green stone that features bright red flecks or veins of iron oxide. Some bloodstones are transparent with red spots (heliotrope) while others are opaque with little to no red spots (plasma). High-quality bloodstones are solid green and feature visible red spots. When it comes to using bloodstones in your custom birthstone jewelry, you can choose whichever shape or cut you prefer--it can remain in a smooth, pebble form, or be cut and polished like any other gemstone.

April: Diamond

April’s birthstone is a girl’s best friend: diamond! Not only are diamonds the toughest gemstone, but they’re also one of the hardest naturally occurring substances found on earth. Though diamonds are often thought of as colorless jewels, they can span the entire color spectrum. Colored diamonds vary in intensity, and the more saturated a given color is, the higher the diamond’s value.

May: Emerald

Emerald is a popular gemstone that is adored for its vivid green color. Much like aquamarine, emerald is a variety of the mineral beryl. The green color is created when beryl comes into contact with trace amounts of the element chromium. Emeralds can be found all over the world, and their color can vary in intensity. The deeper the color is, the more valuable the stone, and the rarest emeralds take on a striking green-blue appearance.

June: Pearl, Alexandrite, and Moonstone

Pearl

Unlike other birthstones, pearls are created in nature by living creatures. The ideal pearl is perfectly round and smooth, but many other shapes can occur (for instance, baroque pearls.) Perfectly round, natural pearls that are formed in the wild are the most sought-after specimens, but due to high demand, many of today’s pearls are cultured by oyster farmers. High-quality pearls feature a creamy-white, opalescent exterior, but cultured freshwater pearls can be dyed almost any color under the sun. Pearls are very soft, and they’re sensitive to both high heat and acidity. When designing your personalized birthstone jewelry, it’s best to feature them in necklaces and earrings so they see less wear-and-tear.

Alexandrite

Alexandrite is a rare variety of the mineral chrysoberyl. The chemical composition of the gemstone causes it to have a blue-green appearance in natural light, and a purple-red appearance under incandescent light. Because of this, alexandrite has been called “emerald by day, ruby by night.” Due to its rarity, alexandrite is more valuable than most gemstones, including diamonds.

Moonstone

Moonstones come from the mineral adularia, and they are composed of microscopic layers of feldspar, which scatters light. The thinner the layers are, the bluer the stone will appear to be. When a moonstone has thick layers, it takes on a milky-white appearance. Moonstones come in a range of colors, including yellow, green, blue, peach, and pink. Because moonstones are not a relatively strong gemstone, they are prone to stress cracking. Custom birthstone jewelry featuring moonstones must be crafted and worn with care.

July: Ruby

Ruby is the red variety of the mineral corundum. Most gem-quality corundum takes on a deep, blue color, and is known as sapphire--but rubies are remarkably different from their sister stone. By reacting with the element chromium, rubies take on a striking red color and a beautiful fluorescence, which makes them appear to glow from within. It’s a beautiful result--but because chromium can cause cracks and fissures while the crystal is forming, it’s also a double-edged sword. Large, high-quality rubies are very scarce and very valuable.

August: Peridot, Sardonyx, and Spinel

Peridot

Peridot is the rare gem-quality variety of the mineral olivine. It’s a brilliant, crystal clear gemstone with olive green coloring. The intensity of each stone is determined by the amount of iron contained in the crystal’s structure. Because of this, natural peridot gemstones can fall anywhere on the yellow-green-brown spectrum. In rare cases, peridot can even form with little to no yellow or brown, and take on a bright green appearance very similar to emerald.

Sardonyx

Sardonyx is a banded variety of chalcedony, which features alternating layers of sard and onyx. The sard layers are often yellowish-red to reddish-brown in color, depending on how much iron oxide is present. The layers of onyx are white. Because the layers form in parallel bands, sardonyx can be skillfully cut and polished by master artisans to showcase the beautiful juxtaposition. If you’re interested in making affordable custom birthstone jewelry, sardonyx is an easily available gemstone that is relatively inexpensive.

Spinel

Spinel is a beautiful gemstone made of magnesium aluminum oxide, and though it may not have a household name, it has been used to make breathtaking jewelry for centuries. In fact, many famous rubies and sapphires have actually been identified as spinel upon further analysis. Spinel comes in many color varieties, including pink, red, purple, blue, orange, yellow, and even black, which makes it an incredibly versatile option for your custom birthstone jewelry. Spinel’s distinguishing features include its octahedral crystal structure and single refraction, and the more vivid the color is, the more valuable the stone.

September: Sapphire

Sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum, which is an aluminum oxide. It’s most popular shade is royal blue, though sapphires can also occur in yellow, purple, green, orange, black, colorless--and almost every hue under the sun, except for red. Corundum in the shade of red (and in some locations, pink) is given it’s own moniker: ruby. A sapphire’s color changes based on other elements it contains (iron, copper, chromium, etc.) When designing your personalized birthstone jewelry, embrace a variety of colors and give your September babies something unique to wear.

October: Opal and Tourmaline

Opal

Opals are an amorphous mineraloid made out of hydrated silica, and their water content can range from 3 to 21 percent! Instead of having a typical crystalline structure, opals are composed of microscopic silica spheres that diffract light. This light diffraction is what makes precious opals appear to show a variety of colors, all at once. Many different types of opals exist, and “common opals” do not feature this mystical play of color. Most opals are often referred to by their body color (white, red, blue, black, etc.) Because opals are very delicate, they can crack under extreme temperature, pressure, dehydration, and direct light. Handle all custom opal birthstone jewelry with care.

Tourmaline

Tourmaline is a gemstone that features a beautiful mix of colors, and it is available in every hue imaginable. The reason tourmaline features more than one color is because it is not one mineral--the term tourmaline is used to describe a complex group of minerals that each feature their own unique chemical compositions and physical properties. If you’re interested in using a particular variety of tourmaline for your custom birthstone jewelry, narrow down your options by choosing a specific subcategory: rubellite (red tourmaline,) verdelite (green tourmaline,) schorl (black tourmaline,) or even parti-colored tourmaline, which displays more than one color.

November: Topaz and Citrine

Topaz

Once upon a time, all yellow gemstones were thought to be topaz, and all topaz was assumed to be yellow. However, topaz actually comes in many different colors, and pure topaz is colorless. Like many other gemstones, the color variations of topaz are a result of various impurities. Because topaz is a relatively hard and durable gemstone, it is well suited for jewelry. The rarest color is Imperial topaz, which features bright orange coloring and a pink undertone. Pink, purple, and dark blue topaz are also relatively rare, as they do not often form naturally.

Citrine

Citrine is a variety of quartz that ranges from light yellow to dark brown-orange. Citrine gets its yellow color from traces of iron. Because naturally occurring citrine is quite rare, most citrines found on the market is created by heating more common varieties of quartz, like amethyst. Citrine is a relatively durable semi-precious stone, which makes it a good option for large custom birthstone jewelry. Like most gemstones, the richer the color, the more valuable the stone.

December: Turquoise, Zircon, and Tanzanite

Turquoise

Turquoise is an opaque, blue-green secondary mineral made from a hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminum. Turquoise is available in many different shades of blue, including powdery blue, sky blue, and robin’s egg blue, which features a hint of green. Copper contributes the primary blue hues, while iron and chrome add the slight hint of green. Some turquoise contains veins and patches of host rock, which can lower the stone’s value, but definitely gives it a touch of personality.

Zircon

Not only is zircon a beautiful gemstone that’s available in a wide variety of colors, but it’s also the oldest mineral on earth, and contains important information about the formation of our planet. Zircon commonly occurs in an earthy, brownish-red hue, but most gem-quality zircon is heat treated until it’s gold, blue, or colorless. Blue zircon is the popular choice for a December birthstone, but you can create personalized birthstone jewelry in any color.

Tanzanite

Tanzanite is the blue variety of the mineral zoisite, and it can only be mined in Tanzania. Because of this, tanzanite’s value has a direct correlation with its availability. Trace amounts of vanadium, when combined with extreme heat, give this rare variety of zoisite its blue color, and when cut properly, jewelers can minimize the appearance of brown tones and emphasize the stone’s attractive blue and violet hues. Though tanzanite may rival sapphire in beauty, it is less durable than it’s precious counterpart. When it comes to custom birthstone jewelry, tanzanite is better suited for earrings and necklaces than rings.

Contact Us Today!

If you’re interested in creating a custom line of birthstone jewelry, let our artisans at MKM Jewelry help you bring your creative vision to life. With over 15 years of experience, and the top technology in the industry, we’ll go above and beyond your every expectation. Contact us today for more information!

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What’s a Home Jewelry Party and How Can You Make a Profit at One

MKM Jewelry — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 17:50:54 +0000

Many budding jewelry designers are looking for unique ways to get their jewelry out there, but It’s not always clear where to start. If you’re a jewelry designer who’s created their first pieces, home jewelry parties may be the best way to introduce your collection to the people in your life. From there, you can work on spreading awareness through word of mouth. But jewelry parties aren’t just for those new to the trade, experienced designers can also enjoy the convenience and control of planning their own party. When you’re considering how to sell your jewelry, follow this guide from MKM Jewelry to get your product moving.

What Are Home Jewelry Parties?

Home jewelry parties are a creative alternative to selling your pieces at craft fairs and festivals. Considering how to sell jewelry at these type of events can be an expensive venture, as you have to reserve booth space, pay for tables, give the host a commission, and pay for transportation for your pieces. A home party can be a great way to build relationships with friends of friends and network with people who may be able to advance your business.

Advantages of Home Jewelry Parties

When you host a party at your own home, there are a number of benefits you can take advantage of. First, you don’t have to pay any of the overhead that’s inherent in craft fairs. Even better, you don’t have to spend all day at a craft fair. Usually, those events last 5 - 7 hours (plus set up and break down time), while at a home event, you can spend just three hours with friends and make the same amount of money with less effort and planning. A home party also has advantages for your guests. They’ll feel more relaxed and comfortable in a friend’s home. They’ll also have a chance to speak with you about your jewelry, goals, and business in-depth — cultivating trust from customers. You’re offering them a personalized experience and you can even take commissions while you’re there. Hosting at your own home isn’t a necessity, you can host at a friends house and compensate them by bringing food or even offering them pieces for free. It’s possible to host home jewelry parties at a different friend’s home every week — especially if each host has a different circle of friends.

Downsides of Home Jewelry Sales

There aren’t really any inherent downsides to hosting home jewelry parties, but sometimes your guests may feel too pressured to buy. Organizing niche games, being too strict about the arrival time, or getting too elaborate with food and drinks are all things that can scare off potential customers. The best way to sell your jewelry at a home event is through the open house format.

How to Sell Jewelry Through the Open House Format

The open house format is exactly what it sounds like, although instead of touring a home, people are touring your jewelry collection. To set up an open house home jewelry party, simply set up a time frame and allow people to come and go as they please. There’s no need to schedule events or keep a timetable. Usually, three hours is best for home jewelry parties in the open house format, as it allows people enough time to wander in on their own schedule. They don’t feel pressured to arrive or leave at a certain time and they can show up at their own convenience. Do your best to create a fun shopping atmosphere in a “girl’s night” style where you make suggestions, answer questions, let people try on pieces, and help them decide what they want with a custom order. While this is the basic idea for successful home jewelry parties, MKM Jewelry has some tips to ensure you have everything you need when working on how to sell jewelry.

Tip 1: Be Prepared

Send invitations early — a month in advance is usually best. You can use a free evite service with a number of different templates that allow you to customize an invitation for your business. Make sure people can RSVP through the online service to help you keep track of who is coming. Choose a comfortable number of people to invite and encourage everyone to bring a friend. Hosting on a weeknight or a Saturday afternoon usually brings the biggest crowds, and scheduling a three-hour time frame offers enough time for people to browse, shop, buy, and leave. Bring small bills, gift packaging, business cards, and custom order forms to ensure everything stays organized. Set up your display before people start arriving and make it easy for people to find you. You should also have an area where people can try on and look at jewelry off to the side, so they’re not blocking the displays while checking themselves out. A third area of your home jewelry party should be set up for people to cash out to ease traffic and congestion around your tables.

Tip 2: Stock Up

You can only sell the amount of jewelry you have with you. While you can take custom orders, this means more work for you in the long run and deters the people who make impulse purchases. Guests want to be able to take their jewelry home with them right away, so don’t make them wait a week for a piece they loved at the party. Selling the pieces you actually have also reinforces that each item is unique and custom, making people feel like they’re getting something truly special. We recommend stocking up 3 - 5 pieces per guest with a focus on pieces that sell out the fastest. As a rule, earrings sell out quickest at home jewelry parties, so make more of these than you would of necklaces, rings, and bracelets.

Tip 3: Create a Smart Display

Selling your jewelry successfully isn’t all about the quality of your pieces — sometimes it’s about how you show it off. Ensure your displays are visually appealing and easy to navigate by organizing them by color, stone, style, or type. Pair items together that can be worn as a set and don’t put everything on a single table. People like to wander around at home jewelry parties, so when thinking how to best sell jewelry, avoid clutter and use several tables throughout the home to display your items. You don’t want to irritate your guests or cause them to give up with too much clutter or too many people around a single display.

Tip 4: Choose Vertical Displays

Statistically, people buy jewelry more often when it’s at their eye level. Make sure your displays are at varying heights. Don’t just lay everything flat, as it doesn’t showcase all the angles of your pieces and it’s very boring. You can display your pieces at the height they should be worn — earrings are highest, then necklaces, and lowest can be rings and bracelets. It doesn’t matter what you use to elevate your pieces. We’ve seen jewelry displayed on tiered cakes, metal sculptures, and tree branches. Depending on your jewelry style, choose a display that complements your pieces.

Tip 5: Don’t Forget Mirrors

While home jewelry parties happen in a home — and homes have mirrors — you’ll need extras. People want to see the jewelry they try on from every angle — without running to the bathroom to look at the earrings or necklaces. Position mirrors near tables at strategic heights and provide a few handheld ones so people have easy access no matter where they are. Work with MKM Jewelry Now that you have some top tips on how to host successful home jewelry parties, bring everything together with your gorgeous designs. If your jewelry involves mold making, casting, engraving, setting, or finishing, MKM Jewelry can help. We have over 15 years experience in fashion and fine jewelry. We can take you from the concept board to completion with CAD and CAM processes that allow greater flexibility for your design ideas. Reach out to our expert team today when you call us at (213) 689-4823 or email at info@mkmjewelry.com.

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10 Unique Heart Designs to Use in Your Jewelry

MKM Jewelry — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 17:15:16 +0000

Help From a Jewelry Design Company

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, jewelry designers are hard at work creating heart designs while jewelry businesses are busy stocking up on appropriate rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets for lovers looking for potential gifts. If you’ve started your jewelry designing a little late this year, our jewelry design company can help you bring your ideas to life. While you may not be in the manufacturing stages yet, MKM Jewelry has tons of experience with CAD (computer-aided design) and we can help you create completely unique heart jewelry for your Valentine’s Day customers. Even better, we’ve been in business so long, we can help develop your initial ideas into a comprehensive, eye-catching piece! If you need ideas for original designs, but you still want to stay on trend and create popular styles, read on for our top ten heart design inspirations.

1.Threaded Design

Miniaturized jewelry is all the rage these days and it’s an incredibly popular choice for singles and couples alike. Some of our favorite threaded design ideas include Y-shaped necklaces that thread another shape through the heart. Try a solid heart shape threaded through a hollow heart or an arrow shape through a hollow heart for a cupid-like symbol. If you’re catering to a younger crowd, you may want to keep your jewelry designs trendy with rose gold, or affordable with sterling silver and gold plated styles. You may also want to design adjustable lengths to allow for different sized necks. Because MKM Jewelry has been around for over 15 years, our jewelry design company has seen it all and we can help you figure out the mechanics of threading your design that ensures easy to wear pieces.

2.Solid Heart

Often simple designs are overlooked in the busyness of diamond-encrusted pieces and intricate styles. Solid metal hearts are definitely a unique look today. Our jewelry design company recommends going one of two routes: small and petite or larger discs. The smaller version of this heart jewelry looks best in a thick, three-dimensional form. This style looks good in earrings, necklaces, and rings alike, so it’s a great idea to create a set that people can buy all together. For the larger design, a thin flat disk looks best. These work mainly for necklaces or bracelet cuffs. With larger designs, there is a little bit more room for embellishment. You should consider setting a few small stones or engraving a unique design on the disk.

3.Interlocking Hearts

Interlocking hearts are a fun jewelry design for a necklace, and offer tons of unique styles that are open to your interpretation. You can play with mixed metals — combining rose and white gold, white and yellow gold, or all three colors of gold together. Changing it up with the textures is also an option. One of our top ideas includes leaving one heart smooth and unembellished while texturing the other heart in different ways. Try hammering the metal, adding gemstones, or engraving it to make it more unique. Your interlocking hearts don’t have to be the same size either. Whether you’re using two, three, or more hearts, make your designs eye-catching when you make each heart a different size or shape. At our jewelry design company, we would be molding and casting each heart separately, so you can make them as different as you like.

4.Flaming Hearts

Flaming hearts are incredibly popular tattoo designs, but have you ever considered how they could translate into jewelry? These heart symbols with a fiery flame on top are just perfect for charms or dangle earrings. If you’re a fine jewelry designer, this design may not be for your target market, but if you cater a little more to the rock and roll scene, this may be a perfect choice. Mix up your designs when you carve 3D flaming hearts out of wax and cast them for all metal designs, or add a little color with small red, orange, and yellow gemstones. It’s also a fun opportunity to play with mixed metals again, when you design a red gemstone heart in a white gold setting with a 14K yellow gold flame on top. Worried about finding a jewelry manufacturing and design company that can bring your vision to life? MKM Jewelry can do it all with machine-made wax models and lost wax casting.

5.Gemstone Hearts

Gemstone hearts in precious metal settings are the perfect way to cater to the personalization market. Create heart necklaces, rings, and earrings in each month’s birthstone with complementary metal hues. Since our jewelry design company has worked with a number of metals and gemstones before, we can recommend which metals go best with each stone color. Green and yellow gold make an excellent pair, while rose gold looks amazing with blue and pink hues. Wondering what to do with white gold? It adds a classic sophistication to any gemstone color.

6.Growing Hearts

Nature themes are especially popular, and they’re so versatile that you can create a million different types and never run into a duplicate design. Classic designs are all about hearts and vines, but choosing how to incorporate them is completely up to you. When you choose to work with our jewelry design company, you can take advantage of our computer-aided design to quickly see how each version of your composition would look. Create a series where vines intertwine in different areas of your heart — similar, but not quite the same, so people can buy more than one and create a set. You can also accentuate your heart jewelry with a number of different flowers to tie in a variety of personalized options. Every girl has a favorite flower, so whether you use daisies, roses, orchids, freesias, or cherry blossoms, you’ll create something personal and memorable.

7.Anatomical Heart

While this may be more in line with people who have a unique outlook on jewelry, anatomical hearts are a completely unique jewelry design idea. You can go with a three-dimensional miniature heart or a two-dimensional heart with cutout areas to indicate where the veins would be. Another unique idea involves creating a secret heart locket with a compartment for pictures. You could even hang a ruby or bloodstone gem charm to create a two for one pendant. When you work with MKM Jewelry design company, we can import anatomically correct hearts into our CAD program for simplified heart jewelry design.

8.Heart Chain

Perfect for bracelets and dangle earrings, create more interlocking heart jewelry with a complete heart chain. Instead of just two or three interlocking hearts, create a full chain that can encircle a wrist or create a matching pair long enough to dangle down from earlobes to shoulders. Mix and match size, position, and metal colors to create interesting and distinct designs. For heart jewelry design help, our jewelry design company knows exactly how to help you create whatever you have in mind.

9.Knotted Hearts

Celtic knots are popular design theme, but mixing Celtic knots with hearts is inspired one. The Celtic knot celebrates the interconnectedness of all life in the universe, and when you combine it with a heart, you amplify the symbolism of this ancient design even more. Create your own take on the traditional Celtic design when you use our jewelry design company’s services to mix two iconic jewelry styles. Celtic heart knots work really well for all types of jewelry, but rings and earrings allow you the most flexibility.

10.Halo Hearts

Putting a heart inside a halo echos one of the most popular engagement ring styles of the age. Halo engagement rings are an affordable way to make the center diamond appear larger, and you can use the same technique with your heart jewelry to create statement pieces that really pop. Whether you choose to create a halo around a gemstone heart or halo a heart within a heart with some negative space, add this simple and alluring design to any heart pieces.

Choosing MKM Jewelry

As an accomplished jewelry design and manufacturing company, we’ve learned a lot about what your customers want. We have over 15 years experience with fashion and fine jewelry, and we know all about what sells best over the holidays. This Valentine’s Day, get ahead of the competition when you explore our services to create unique heart jewelry for this holiday and many more! MKM Jewelry is here with CAD and CAM services, as well as casting, mold making, engraving, setting, and finishing help that ensures your jewelry looks completely professional. Bring your designs to life when you reach out to our expert team today!

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Top 10 Valentine’s Day Jewelry Gifts

MKM Jewelry — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 16:34:26 +0000

The Top Jewelry Manufacturing Companies

As a jeweler or jewelry retailer, holidays are your biggest sale times. It always pays to know which pieces to focus on for which holiday, as some are ideal for engagement rings, like Christmas, while others are all about charms and bracelets, like Mother’s Day. At MKM Jewelry, we’ve been among the top jewelry manufacturing companies in Los Angeles for over 15 years, so we know exactly what kind of Valentine’s Day jewelry is most popular. Our expertise and resources can ensure you have the right amount of product for the biggest romantic holiday of the year. If you’re ready to learn about the top 10 Valentine’s Day jewelry buys, read on here for tips from the top jewelry manufacturing company experts.

Heart Rings

Many men are ready to give their special lady a ring, if not THE ring on Valentine’s Day, so you may want to have plenty of cocktail rings and right-hand rings available. Heart designs are especially popular around Valentine’s Day, as they echo what people believe is the essence of the holiday — love, romance, and togetherness. While the higher priced items include 14K gold and precious gemstones, you can also offer more affordably priced sterling silver pieces with cubic zirconia and gems like amethyst, turquoise, and citrine. Most jewelry manufacturing companies can create a limited run of pieces just for the holiday!

Engagement Rings

Surveys conducted over the past several years found the number of couples who get engaged each year on Valentine’s Day to be well into the millions. It is an extremely popular day for engagements due to the romantic atmosphere and couples-focused events. Since so many people are shopping for engagement rings around this holiday, you’ll need to stock up a few weeks, if not months, in advance to make sure you capitalize on all the shoppers. Start talking to jewelry manufacturing companies, like MKM Jewelry, as early as possible to get enough engagement ring settings ready. Some of the most popular settings include solitaire rings, halo rings, and three-stone rings. You don’t have to go exclusively with a diamond ring or yellow gold either — make sure you have a variety of precious metals available including rose and white gold, as well as sterling silver and platinum.

Heart Necklaces

Since this holiday is all about hearts, people love getting their loved one’s heart-themed jewelry — especially when people can place a heart right over her heart. There are tons of designs already out there for heart-themed Valentine’s Day jewelry, so make sure you work with your jewelry manufacturing company to create completely unique designs. MKM Jewelry is one company that will work with you through every stage of jewelry production. Whether your idea only exists in your head or you have the roughest of drafts on paper, we can help you 3D model and print any heart shape you have in mind. With CAD (computer-aided design) and CAM (computer-aided manufacturing), you can create some of the most intricate and unusual designs around.

Diamond Bracelets

Some people really like to keep their gifts as simple as possible for this holiday, so diamond tennis bracelets sell out especially fast around Valentine’s Day. Since tennis bracelets all consist of an unbroken chain of uniform stones, you’ll want to make a few that stand out. Some people like the traditional white gold and diamond style, but others want to personalize their pieces a bit more, so be prepared with some other golds and precious stones. One of the most popular golds today is rose gold, but sterling silver and yellow gold are also making a comeback. Stone options are also relatively versatile, so try to include chocolate diamonds, topaz, sapphire, and emeralds in your collections. Some more affordable options include cubic zirconia, peridot, and aquamarine. MKM Jewelry has recently transitioned into creating fine jewelry, so jewelry manufacturing company with all your Valentine’s Day jewelry — from fashion pieces to fine designs.

Pearl Jewelry

Pearls are the epitome of sophistication, grace, and elegance. Shoppers looking for classic designs will head straight for your pearl collections. Make sure you have a variety of rings, earrings, and necklaces on hand for their convenience. Pearl sets are especially popular, so you may want to run some sales on earring and necklace sets or necklace and ring sets. If you’ve already got your designs in mind, MKM Jewelry can help with setting your pearls. It can be difficult to match multiple pearl settings, so work with one of the top jewelry manufacturing companies to ensure your jewelry looks professional.

Luxury Watches

While luxury watches may not scream romance, they’re still a very popular choice for Valentine’s Day jewelry. Luxury watches are more than just a regular watch, as they combine form and function with semi-precious metals and materials. People will want to tailor their watches to their loved ones with more than just their choice of golds and gems; they’re also looking for water resistance, crystal components, and various extra features like calendars and compasses. If you carry watches in your jewelry store, don’t skimp on the selection. Offer enough to cater to everyone’s interests. Since these aren’t holiday exclusives, like most heart jewelry, you can keep your extra inventory year round to interest customers.

Birthstone Jewelry

Birthstone jewelry is all about personalization that doesn’t cost extra. People love feeling like something was created just for them. Having a few pieces with every birthstone will ensure all your bases are covered. There are a few months that have variations on some of the stones, so here is a refresher for your memory from your local Los Angeles jewelry manufacturing company:

January: Garnet
February: Amethyst
March: Aquamarine or Bloodstone
April: Diamond
May: Emerald
June: Pearl, Moonstone, or Alexandrite
July: Ruby
August: Peridot
September: Sapphire
October: Opal or Pink Tourmaline
November: Yellow Topaz or Citrine
December: Turquoise, Tanzanite, Blue Zircon

Personalized Pieces

Many people want to take their personalization a step further than birthstones with custom engraving or one of a kind pieces. You don’t have to have these pieces already ready to go, but if you design a few styles that leave space for a little extra writing, you can offer engraving services for a small fee. We know that not everyone can do their engraving in-house, so visit one of your local jewelry manufacturing companies, like MKM Jewelry, to arrange for third party engraving services.

Dangle Earrings

Any woman with pierced ears should own a pair of dangle earrings. There are so many different styles to choose from; you can stock up on everything from complex and intricate to simple and subtle. They transition from day to night very easily and allow a woman to accessorize without taking too long. Yellow, rose, and white 14K gold are the most popular options, while diamonds are a universal choice. For the younger crowd, rose gold will sell out most quickly, while traditional couples would love white or yellow gold. You can also stock more affordable fashion jewelry options. MKM Jewelry is one of the most versatile jewelry manufacturing companies and can handle both fashion and fine jewelry designs. Trust in our team to handle all your Valentine’s Day jewelry needs.

Arrow Necklaces

Not everyone likes overt declarations of love and affections, so heart-shaped pieces aren’t for every couple. Arrow necklaces provide the perfect balance between romance and jewelry gifts, symbolizing cupids bow and arrow without being too obvious. The best arrow necklace designs for 2018 are going to be mini jewelry pieces, as miniature designs are especially popular right now. Whether you design pieces horizontally or vertically, keep them small — under an inch long is ideal. Variate your materials to provide everything from gold and platinum to sterling silver and copper metals. Keep some styles simple with no embellishment, and then step up a small selection of your designs with specialty finishing, gemstone accents, and detailed engraving.

Working with the Best

MKM Jewelry is your top local jewelry manufacturing company and we’re experts at delivering what you want. We work with you every step of the way, from concept drawings to finishing, to ensure the pieces stand up to your expectations. We’re available to create one of a kind designs, as well as thousand piece runs, to help you keep your store well stocked. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, having some of the most popular jewelry styles available in your store will help you make all your customers happy. Keeping these top ten designs in mind when getting ready to sell your Valentine’s Day jewelry will help you step up your game! Manufacture your jewelry with MKM Jewelry to take advantage of our reliable services.

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Best Jewelry Gifts for Christmas, Hanukkah, & More!

MKM Jewelry — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 05:39:26 +0000

The winter holiday season is one of the most important gift-giving events of the year. Since jewelry is one of the most popular gifts given during this time, jewelry stores receive a lot of traffic and attention in November and December. While everyone has their own opinion about what the best jewelry gifts are, some types and styles of jewelry tend to be more popular to give as gifts during the holiday season. If you’re looking to design and sell the most popular styles of jewelry during the holidays, read on to learn about the best jewelry Christmas gifts.

Necklaces

Because of the variety of necklaces that exists, almost every person is sure to have a type of necklace that they like. This is why gift shoppers who want to give jewelry as a gift often look for necklaces. If you don’t already offer necklaces, try and stock a range of necklaces in your brand’s signature style this holiday season. Y-shaped necklaces are a trending piece of jewelry currently. Subtle and elegant, they are one of the best jewelry Christmas gifts for fans of classic fine jewelry. You may enjoy creating designs in this style if you enjoy unconventional designs and minimalism.

Bracelets

Bracelets, especially charm bracelets, are a small but popular gift. There are few romantic connotations associated with giving a bracelet as a gift, so they are one of the best jewelry gifts given between friends and family. Just like with necklaces, bracelets come in a wide range of varieties and cost. They are one of the best jewelry Christmas gifts because depending on their price level, they can be either a high-end gift or a stocking stuffer, so there is sure to be a variety of bracelet that suits your brand. As a plus, it’s a smart business strategy to always supply a large variety of jewelry in a range of price levels, so that you can attract clientele with various budgets.

Engagement Rings

Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Year’s Day are three of the most popular days of the year to propose. If engagement jewelry is part of your jewelry collection, then make sure to prepare sufficiently for the holiday season. Most engagement rings can be an expensive endeavor, so having several renderings of your style will help potential customers decide if you’re the right jewelry designer for them. With CAD renderings you don’t have to actually create a piece to provide a realistic sample.

Rings

Rings are one of the best jewelry Christmas gifts that couples give to each other, but did you know that they are one of the best jewelry gifts to give amongst friends as well? Trendy metal rings are a relatively affordable, fashion-forward gift. If you want to gear your jewelry towards a younger female group, then introduce some bohemian fashion ring styles to your collection. Midi rings, three-finger rings, and stackable rings are very popular right now, and could make your brand very popular during the holiday season.

Personalized Jewelry

Personalized jewelry is also popular as a gift, especially between family members. It is one of the best jewelry Christmas gifts because they are thoughtful and have the potential to become a new piece of everyday jewelry for the recipient. Some of the best ways to personalize jewelry are to add initials, birthstones, or custom engravings, but there are endless other ways to get creative with your design.

Rose Gold Jewelry

Rose gold jewelry is an increasingly popular type of metal jewelry. It is an especially good type of jewelry to sell during the holidays because it has less of a romantic connotation than either gold or silver, so it is one of the best jewelry gifts to provide for non-couples. It also has a more contemporary feel, so it can be a good offering for younger clientele. If your style as a jeweler is modern classic, then rose gold jewelry is one of the best jewelry Christmas gift options you can provide for your customers this winter.

Simple Shapes and Symbols

Jewelry bearing simple shapes and symbols, such as moons, stars, or hearts, are a popular gift option over the holidays because of their subtle, classy nature. For most people, Christmas is a time to give and receive relatively high-quality and long-lasting gifts. A sturdy, simple chain bearing a small, elegant pendant fits this description perfectly. As a plus, this kind of jewelry works great as an entire collection, so you can offer necklace and earring sets or ring and necklace sets.

Charm Bracelets and Charms

A variation on personalized jewelry, charm bracelets and charm necklaces are also one of the best jewelry Christmas gift options to provide during the holiday season. Charms are seen as a wholesome and thoughtful collectible Christmas gift, so if you work with metal, they can be a great way to show off your jewelry line and encourage people to buy more than one piece.

Holiday-Themed Jewelry

Although Christmas itself is only one day out of the year, and Hanukkah and Kwanzaa only last about a week, the months leading up to the holidays are always a time of much excitement. Themed jewelry is one of the best jewelry Christmas & holiday gifts that a holiday-lover could receive. If your brand as a jewelry designer or stockist is a fun and trendy one, then Christmas-themed jewelry is one of the best jewelry gifts to provide this season. There are so many fun symbols – such as Christmas trees, gingerbread men, and candy canes – that are associated with Christmas, and you can add them to any kinds of jewelry. Other holidays are just as popular in America, so Hanukkah and Kwanzaa themed pieces are also popular. Earrings and necklaces, specifically, are the two best types of jewelry to make in various holiday inspired styles.

Prep Your Personal Holiday Collection

The holidays are a very magical time for lovers, families, and friends alike. It also provides a unique opportunity for your jewelry business. If you are looking to introduce new pieces for the holidays, this list of the best jewelry Christmas gifts to stock is a good place to start. Having a special holiday collection can be a good way for you to show off your holiday spirit while diversifying your line. Prepare as early as you can this year and optimize your sales this holiday season!

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New Innovations in CAD Manufacturing

MKM Jewelry — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 05:21:00 +0000

CAD (Computer Aided Design) and CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) are revolutionizing industries across the world. For several years, this cutting edge technology has begun to be used in the jewelry industry. As new techniques are developed, jewelry manufacturing has been pushed to new levels of innovation. Learn more about CAD and CAM when you read on today.

What Exactly is CAD and CAM?

CAD is an abbreviation for Computer Aided Design, which is a process that uses computer systems to create, modify, analyze, and optimize designs. CAD can be used to design both two-dimensional and three-dimensional objects. Using computer software, designers can draft shapes and forms digitally, instead of on paper. Due to computer modelling, CAD allows for a much greater depth of information than traditional drafting. CAD models also communicate information about materials, processes, and dimensions; data that is critical for manufacturing.

Benefits of CAD

Designers use CAD in manufacturing because it dramatically streamlines the design process. CAD software allows designers to be more productive, communicate more information, and easily create new iterations of the same design. It also gives them greater precision in the design process.

Benefits of CAM

After a product is modeled with CAD, it is fabricated using CAM technology. Computer aided manufacturing, commonly referred to as CAM, is a type of software used to control machine tools in manufacturing. Computer aided manufacturing uses computers to assist in many parts of the production process, including planning, management, transportation, and storage. By using CAD in manufacturing to automate production, manufacturing processes can be more precise, consistent, and efficient than traditional methods.

How is CAD in Manufacturing Used for Jewelry?

CAD has been used for many years in architecture and industrial design. However, jewelry manufacturers have also been jumping on board this tech revolution. CAD software has allowed jewelry designers to attempt much more complex designs and truly push the limits of jewelry fabrication. It has also opened the door for client customization in jewelry.

New 3D Printing Technology in Jewelry

Traditionally, many jewelry pieces were fabricated with lost wax casting, which involved making molds of hand carved wax models and casting them into precious metals. The intricacy of these original pieces was limited by the dexterity of the artisan carving the initial wax model. However, with the advent of CAD in manufacturing, a new level of detail can be achieved in lost wax casting. Jewelry designers can 3D model their designs using CAD software and then use new 3D printing technology to print the digital models into wax, eliminating the hand carving process. Some jewelers are eliminating the wax casting altogether and are experimenting with 3D printing gold and platinum directly. 3D printing metal is a cutting edge technique that is still developing, but is sure to open up a world of possibility for jewelry designers. These new 3D printing technologies can also be used for more unconventional materials. Less traditional jewelry designers are experimenting with using 3D printing to make jewelry out of hard plastics, ceramics, and other materials.

Full Customization with CAD

As the traditional files, anvils, and saws of a jeweler’s craft have slowly been replaced by the computer mouse and monitor, designing jewelry has become more accessible to those lacking a rigorous craft background. While designing fine jewelry with CAD technology takes no less artistry and skill than forging pieces by hand in a metalsmith workshop, digital fabrication allows clients to enter the process in ways that were never before possible. With Computer Aided Design, jewelry designers can easily create dozens of similar iterations with a few clicks of the mouse. Instead of handcrafting prototypes out of metal and wax, jewelers can draft digital models to show to clients. Because tweaking digital designs is so much cheaper and less labor intensive than traditional jewelry fabrication, CAD allows for greater collaboration between clients and jewelers. Some jewelers are even letting clients take the jewelry design process into their own hands. A few jewelry companies have begun creating web interfaces that allow customers to mix and match different designs to create the custom piece of their dreams.

CAD in Manufacturing as a Marketing Approach

While some customers still seek out handmade, artisan jewelry lines, CAD modeling for jewelry is becoming highly desirable, especially for younger customers in their 20s and 30s. CAD modeling is particularly popular in the engagement ring market. Customers want their engagement rings to be completely unique; a fully customized representation of their singular love. CAD in manufacturing allows couples to customize their own engagement rings. To a younger, tech-friendly customer base, CAD in manufacturing and 3D printing is a new type of bespoke jewelry. Fine jewelers are marketing CAD jewelry as a flexible way to design beautiful, heirloom quality pieces. Although the technology may be cutting edge, the final pieces are just as durable and timeless as traditionally produced jewelry.

Experts in CAD and CAM

CAD in manufacturing is paving the way for a new era of jewelry design. More and more, jewelry designers are choosing CAD to create detailed, intricate pieces that push the boundaries of jewelry design. If you’re thinking of entering the digital design and manufacturing world, reach out to the experts at MKM Jewelry to find a knowledgeable team that can help you design and create your own line today. Whether you’re focused on fashion jewelry or fine jewelry, we can help you use CAD in manufacturing to bring your vision to life. Get started here!

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The Most Popular Jewelry Making Techniques

MKM Jewelry — Tue, 07 Nov 2017 23:27:06 +0000

If you know the right jewelry making techniques, anything is possible in jewelry design. From lost wax casting and glass fusing to bead weaving and clay jewelry, jewelers use a wide array of techniques to bring their visions to life. Below, the experts at MKM Jewelry break down some of the most common jewelry making processes.

Lost Wax Casting

Traditionally, cast metal jewelry is made using the lost wax casting method. In this jewelry making technique, a model of the piece is carved from a hard carving wax and is then used to create a plaster mold for the metal to be poured into. There are a view techniques that can be used when casting including 3D wax printing, inserting the mold into a vacuum chamber, and utilizing a centrifuge for the molten metal.

3D Printing

In this jewelry making techniques the casting process can translate the most minute details into metal, and hard wax is ideal for sculpting intricate models. As technology advances, some designers are opting to design their jewelry with CAD software and 3D print their models in casting wax. This can result in intricate designs that are near perfect due to the precision of computer design software.

The Vacuum Chamber

Once the wax model is complete, a metal cylinder, referred to as a flask, is attached to the base of the mold, surrounding the wax model. A fine grain plaster is mixed for the investment mold, and the mixture is placed in a vacuum chamber to remove any air bubbles. If a vacuum chamber is not available, the mixture can be left to rest for 10 to 20 minutes for similar results. The plaster mixture is poured into the flask, covering the wax mold. The filled flask is again put into a vacuum chamber to remove any newly formed air bubbles. In the casting process, air bubbles will become tiny metal welts on the final piece, so removing them early on in the process is critical in creating a flawless final product. Once the investment mold is completely dry, it is cleaned and placed inside a kiln. The kiln is run at 1300 degrees Fahrenheit for up to twelve hours, until the mold has completely hardened. The extreme heat melts the original wax model, leaving a cavity inside of the investment mold that’s ready for metal.

Using a Centrifuge

After the loss wax mold has cooled, it is time to cast it in metal. While it is possible to simply pour molten metal into the mold, metal smiths could use a jewelry making technique known as a centrifuge. A centrifuge is a mechanical device that spins incredibly quickly around one axis. The centrifuge creates the best results in casting because the centrifugal force pushes the liquidized metal into the deepest crevices of the mold. The mold is secured to one end of the centrifuge, and a small vessel with a funnel is attached to a hole. The casting metal, is heated until liquefied. Once the metal is molten, the centrifuge is wound several times and released. The spring mechanism causes the centrifuge to spin rapidly, forcing the liquefied metal into the mold. After the metal has been forced into the mold and has hardened, the piece can be cooled further and extracted for finishing.

Beading

Beadwork is one of the oldest jewelry making techniques, with long held craft traditions across the globe. Some of the earliest beaded jewelry can be traced back to the ancient Mesopotamians and Egyptians who made faience beads out of lime, soda, and silica sand. When heated together, the ingredients fuse to create a crude glass. In Europe, beading dates back more than a millennia, when craftsman used beads made from shell and bone to create beautiful decorative objects. Native Americans also have a rich tradition of beadwork, creating intricate patterns from glass beads imported from Europe and Asia.

Stringing

The most basic beading technique is stringing. In stringing, beads are simply lined up along a string or cord. Patterns can be made by alternating bead shapes, sizes and colors.

Bead Embroidery

Another jewelry making technique for making beaded jewelry is bead embroidery. With beaded embroidery, individual beads are stitched onto fabric or leather to make detailed patterns or images. Bead embroidery is an embellishment to a pre existing surface; it does not contribute to the structural integrity of the fabric. The fabric can be cut into irregular shapes to give the jewelry a unique form. Typically, bead embroidery is used on clothing and decorative objects, although the technique can also be used to adorn accessories, like belts, hats, leather cuffs, and suede chokers.

Bead Weaving

Beaded jewelry can also be fabricated with a jewelry making technique known as bead weaving. In bead weaving, seed beads are strung onto a weft thread, which is then passed through the warp threads of a bead loom. Secured between the two rows of threads, woven beads can be used to create entire beaded surfaces with complex color blocking and patterns. Some popular stitching techniques include the Peyote Stitch, Brick Stitch, Square Stitch, Right Angle Stitch, and Daisy Stitch.

Metalworking

The metalsmithing jewelry making techniques involves forming and fabricating metal into jewelry with the use of heat. While metalsmiths can use gold and silver, they are not limited by precious metals and can also create jewelry with steel, titanium, brass, and copper. Metalworking techniques used to create jewelry take you from annealing, forging, forming, cutting, joining, and finishing.

Annealing

Annealing is a heating process that changes the physical, and sometimes chemical properties of metal to make it more workable. When a metalsmith anneals something, they heat the piece of metal with a torch until it is above the temperature of recrystallization, and then let it cool back down. When the metal has been recrystallized the molecular structure of the metal is altered, making it easier to manipulate.

Hammering & Forging

After a piece has been annealed, it can be bent or hammered into shape. As the piece is worked, is becomes tougher and stronger. The jewelry making technique of manipulating metal with a hammer is known as forging. Metal is hammered into shape against an anvil, creating an attractive, dappled surface.

Forming

Metal can take on a wide array of shapes through forming, which is when a piece of annealed metal is hammered against a hard, shaped surface. Through forming, flat sheets of metal can be transformed into curved and concave forms.

Cutting & Drilling

Metalsmiths use a jeweler’s saw to cut shapes out of metal. The blade of a jewelry saw is very thin, with fine teeth. The blade of a jeweler’s saw is very fragile, and can snap easily, but their narrow silhouette gives metalworkers greater agility in their sawing, so they can cut out detailed shapes. The rough-cut edges of the metal are then filed and sanded until smooth.

Joining

Metal can generally be joined through both hot and cold connections. While two metal pieces can be soldered or fused together with heat, they can also be joined through cold connections like screws or riveting.

Finishing

As a piece nears completion, finishing steps like sanding, polishing, and buffing ensure the metal has a shiny, smooth surface. Finishing also ensures the piece is comfortable to wear — without any sharp edges or odd bumps. Finishes can be matte or shiny, and can be done by hand or with a machine.

Clay Jewelry

Some designers choose clay for their jewelry making technique. Jewelry designers can craft ceramic beads to be strung together or can sculpt unique pendant and earring shapes. Most jewelers working with clay opt to use polymer clay. This type of clay is incredibly colorful and can be easily molded into shapes and beads. It is eventually hardened in a kiln or oven to ensure permanence.

Fused Glass

While many think of glass jewelry as a cheap knockoff of precious gemstone pieces, fused glass is a creative, colorful jewelry making technique that results in striking pieces. Glass fusing uses a kiln to create colorful glass designs. Small pieces of glass are arranged onto a larger glass tile, which is then inserted into a kiln. Under the heat of the kiln, the different pieces of glass soften and fuse together to create one image. There is also a special kind of glass, called dichroic glass, that contains several colors in a single slab. It usually appears opalescent, which makes it valuable and more expensive than single color glass.

Experts to Help You Achieve Your Vision

Choosing the right jewelry making technique to bring your jewelry designs to life is crucial to creating a successful product. While some jewelry making techniques allow you to work from home on your own, others — like lost wax casting or metalworking — requires the training and knowledge of experts. If lost wax casting is your primary form of jewelry creation, reach out to MKM Jewelry today to discover how we can help you design and create high quality pieces.

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How to Mass Produce Custom Jewelry with Local Los Angeles Manufacturing

MKM Jewelry — Tue, 07 Nov 2017 21:27:07 +0000

If you are a jewelry designer looking to take the next step in your business, you might want to consider collaborating with a local manufacturer, looking into how to mass produce your jewelry. Working with a professional manufacturer ensures you have access to the design tools and materials you need for quick turnaround time and great looking products. MKM Jewelry is an expert in the Los Angeles manufacturing industry, and we can help you explore mass production. Read on to learn more about the local jewelry manufacturing industry and how to get your jewelry manufactured.

When Should You Consider Mass Production?

There are many reasons it may be time to consider learning how to mass produce your jewelry. If you’re spending all day hunched over your jewelers bench frantically trying to produce inventory or you have to turn down wholesale orders because you can’t keep up with demand, it might be time to start outsourcing production to a Los Angeles jewelry manufacturing expert.

Benefits of Mass Production

Outsourcing fabrication to skilled professionals in the jewelry manufacturing industry frees up your time to plan marketing campaigns, design your next line, and take care of your bookkeeping. By mass-producing your designs, you can fill larger wholesale orders and take on more clients, ensuring your jewelry has greater reach and making your business more profitable. Taking the step to mass-produce your jewelry can be scary, but remember, you are an entrepreneur and designer, not a one person factory operation. Your time is better spent making creative decisions and planning business strategy — not spending hours filing pendants.

How To Find a Local Manufacturer

When you turn over production to a fabricator, finding a knowledgeable manufacturer that you trust is paramount. Often a local manufacturer is the best option — especially in the beginning — as you refine the production process and fine tune your products. When looking at manufacturers in your area, you’ll want to look for ones that either have incredibly versatile portfolios or work in a style that’s already similar to yours. Sometimes manufacturers have specialties, so asking what materials they work with or what casting methods they use will help determine if a Los Angeles manufacturing company is for you. While some manufacturers offer comprehensive services that take you from start to finish, others may only offer production. As a leading jewelry fabricator in Los Angeles manufacturing, MKM Jewelry is one of those that provides full service assistance — from designing in CAD to finishing and gem setting.

Benefits of a Local Manufacturer

Going local for your fabrication eases many of the headaches that come with outsourcing. You can pick up and drop off your jewelry in person, so sending a batch of jewelry back to be fine tuned is much faster and cheaper than if you had to ship it back overseas. Building a relationship is also much easier with a local company. You can visit the fabrication studio and talk through any problems or concerns you may have, and make sure the production techniques are up to your standards. Logistically, having a local relationship with your jewelry fabricator is simply much easier. No need to worry about time zones when you call about your order, and no fights with customs when your pieces are ready for shipment. While many overseas factories can give you a seemingly low quote when you are first looking into how to mass produce jewelry, there are many hidden costs, such as international shipping, tariffs, and fees. Working with local contacts in the jewelry manufacturing industry allows you to circumvent all of those challenges. Working with a local fabricator grants you maximum control in the production process, allowing you to customize and tweak designs, conduct your own quality control, and increase your order quantity last minute without incurring expensive rush shipping costs.

Once You’ve Found a Manufacturer

Organized and Clean Once you’ve researched several local manufacturers and found a few you like, call them up and ask to conduct a site visit. When you are deciding how to get jewelry manufactured, look for an operation that is clean, calm and organized; you don’t want your inventory of rings to get lost in the chaos. Ask the manufacturer what other jewelers they work for and look at samples of their work to gauge their skill and attention to detail. Safety and Staff Happy employees mean less turnover and more skilled workers, so scope out the staff. Be sure to look at the safety precautions the company has taken, as you want to work with a business that values and protects its work and its workers. Reliable Partners Most important when choosing a manufacturer is finding a company with excellent communication. Having a manufacturer that is reliable and can work within a set deadline is crucial in getting your orders on time and delivering product to your clients.

Key Services to Look For

Depending on your jewelry design, you may require a wide variety of fabrication services. Some key services you might want your fabricator to offer include lost wax casting, mold making, stone setting, engraving, and finishing. MKM Jewelry offers Los Angeles manufacturing in all of these services, and can create pieces in a wide array of materials, including gold, platinum, bronze, rhodium and more. Besides these more traditional fabrication processes, MKM Jewelry also offers a variety of high tech manufacturing services, including CAM (computer-aided manufacturing), CAD (computer-aided-design), and laser welding. These computerized fabrication processes allow for high levels of precision and detail from a premier Los Angeles manufacturing experts.

Large vs. Small Batch

The scale at which you need jewelry produced is largely dependent on the scale of your business. MKM jewelry is proud to offer Los Angeles manufacturing for jewelry businesses of all sizes. From one of-a-kind custom pieces to runs of hundreds of identical earrings, we are happy to produce batches of all sizes. This flexibility allows clients to order inventory at a scale that makes sense for their business, and even workshop pieces in small batches before settling on a final design.

Work with the Best

It’s time to take your business to the next level. Leave your production needs in the hands professionals in the jewelry manufacturing industry, and focus your time and energy on growing your business. Choose MKM Jewelry and work with the best Los Angeles jewelry manufacturing team available.

The post How to Mass Produce Custom Jewelry with Local Los Angeles Manufacturing appeared first on MKM Jewelry, Inc..