In the age of fast fashion, we've come to expect the trendiest items to appear on our doorsteps in a matter of days for "unbeatable" prices, only to have them fall apart within a matter of months. This pattern has impacted the jewelry industry as well, with an onslaught of easily attainable, mass-produced products available everywhere. Trust me, I get it. Fine jewelry can be pricey, and with so many social media trends coming and going every few months, it seems impossible to keep up.
That said, the best jewelry designs are not trends at all. There are real upsides to investing in meaningful pieces that stand the test of time. Whether we’re talking about a genuinely well-made garment or a handcrafted piece of jewelry, sometimes slow fashion is worth the wait and the investment.
Why is slow fashion so… slow?
Put simply, handmade products take time and effort to create. While some jewelry manufacturers use machines and assembly lines, every piece of Kristen Baird® Jewelry is handmade by me in my studio. That means melting metal, drilling, detailing, polishing, and getting my hands very dirty! It also means that I have the ability to personalize just about anything.
One example I love to talk about is my cuff bracelets. Many people think they can’t wear cuffs because their wrists don’t fit the standard (i.e. mass produced) sizes available in most stores. But you can wear my cuffs because I will perfectly size them to your wrist. (Shameless plug, check out these handy, dandy sizing guides for both bangles and cuffs!) Similarly, I can swap out a stone for a color you like better or even incorporate a stone with sentimental value to you. But that means crafting a setting from molten metal, letting it harden, and then carefully drilling the setting until it perfectly fits the new stone - all of which takes time!
Costs More, Lasts Forever
If you buy ten $10 necklaces and they all eventually break, you’ve spent $100 and you don’t have a necklace! If you buy one necklace for $200 and it lasts forever, you have a favorite necklace.
I’m not going to sit here and claim that fine jewelry is a bargain. Every piece of Kristen Baird® Jewelry is a completely handcrafted work of art, created with love by me, right here in my Savannah studio. Every piece is given the best price for the high-quality materials, creative design, and craftsmanship that goes into it. It’s also made to last an extremely long time...forever really. Rather than jewelry that is meant to be worn a couple of times and then thrown away, I hope that my pieces will develop a sentimental value in addition to the dollar value. One day, I hope to see you pass them on to your daughter, niece, or granddaughter. Then, the jewelry becomes priceless.
Supporting Local Businesses and Ethical Practices
I’m the last person who wants anyone to feel guilty about the stuff they buy online. We’re all just doing our best out there! But the truth is, sometimes when things are really cheap, it’s because something unsavory is going on behind the scenes. In recent years, large fast-fashion retailers have been credibly accused of stealing designs (including jewelry designs) from independent creators. And that doesn't begin to grapple with their work standards or the environmental impacts of their business model. Finally, there's the matter of sourcing materials.
I know for a fact that all my gemstones are ethically sourced. I know what my labor practices are like because… hello, I’m the one doing the work with the help of my amazing team. I also make an effort to give back to my local community. Most recently, I've collaborated with Tharros Place, a home for survivors of human trafficking right here in Savannah. I'm blown away by the work they have been doing with these brave young women, and I'm so proud that Kristen Baird® Jewelry can play a small part in it.
Investing in Meaningful Pieces
Even if all of this rings true, you might still wonder if Kristen Baird® Jewelry is out of your reach. Fortunately, we offer handmade, high-quality pieces of jewelry at many levels. I always recommend starting with a high-quality "capsule jewelry box" and slowly building on that collection over time.
Our silver jewelry is great for gifting - either to loved ones or to yourself! Elegant and petite silver pieces from The Graceful Glimmer Collection, like the Veiled Horizon and Seashell Speckle necklaces, are a great place to begin.
Gold jewelry is ideal for those big milestones and celebrations in life. Maybe you finally got that promotion you’ve been wanting, or maybe it’s a birthday or anniversary. The Petite Pop and Solo Seashell Sparkle necklaces are ideal because they’re highly customizable and they work beautifully when layered with the silver pieces. Choose your favorite stones, such as a birthstone, and either 18K yellow or rose gold. When you wear these pieces, you’ll think about those special moments again and again.
Once you're ready, you can step up your jewelry game by incorporating heirloom gemstones. Consider a set of stacking Dandelion Blossom rings using those little diamonds and sapphires from grandma’s old wedding band. Pieces like this will never go out of style!
There’s just something special about handmade jewelry. Whether it’s an engagement or milestone anniversary or you want to commemorate a parent or grandparent, these are the pieces that will be passed down from generation to generation.
One final reason to support small businesses: you know the face behind the name. I’m always happy to chat, so feel free to reach out with any questions!
