What is Handmade Gold?
Handmade gold refers to jewelry created through human skill and artistry without the direct involvement of advanced machinery. In the production process of this type of gold, skilled artisans use traditional tools such as hammers, pliers, saws, and simple devices to create a unique and highly precise design.
One of the notable features of handmade gold is the unique details and the lack of exact similarity between two similar pieces. Each handmade gold piece is the result of the creativity and precision of an artist who spends hours of time and energy designing and crafting it. This type of gold is particularly sought after by individuals looking for unique, custom-made jewelry with high artistic value.
Handmade gold can include simple, minimalist designs or more intricate and heavy designs. Due to its special production process, handmade gold usually holds greater material and sentimental value compared to machine-made gold and is suitable for individuals who prioritize quality and authenticity over just price.
Steps in Making Handmade Gold:
The process of making handmade gold is complex and time-consuming, requiring high precision and experience. This process is divided into the following stages:
Initial Design: The creation of handmade gold starts with design. The initial design may be drawn by hand or created using graphic software. This design can be based on the customer’s preference or the artist’s idea.
Choosing Raw Materials: High-purity gold is selected, and depending on the design, necessary alloys are added to achieve the desired hardness and strength.
Making and Shaping: The goldsmith uses tools like hammers, pliers, and shaping devices to mold the piece of gold into the desired shape. This stage requires a great deal of patience and precision to ensure the details are executed perfectly.
Polishing and Finalizing: After shaping, the gold piece is polished to make its surface shiny and flawless. This stage is crucial for enhancing the beauty of the final product.
How is Handmade and Custom Gold Made?
Normally, handmade gold is created by those who enjoy making it. By buying gold and jewelry that are handmade and custom, you support their artistic work both economically and spiritually. In machine-made gold, designers create the gold and jewelry based on the factory’s specifications.
It is important to note that the process of creating handmade gold, where the individual selects the materials, design, and method of production, is different from machine-made gold. Therefore, the result of the work is of much higher significance.
To create custom and handmade gold, the goldsmith first defines the shape of the gold using molds. Finally, with the use of specific tools, the goldsmith shapes the gold by hand. For example, they use sandpaper to create twists and curves, and in this method, setting stones on the gold is done manually.
What is machine-made gold?
Machine-made gold refers to jewelry that is produced using industrial machinery and advanced technologies. In this method, the design and manufacturing process of the gold is fully mechanized, and human intervention is minimized. Machine-made gold is usually produced in large quantities with standard designs, which is why it is more affordable compared to handmade gold.
A key feature of machine-made gold is its high precision in design and uniformity in production. Thanks to advanced machinery, complex and delicate designs can be executed on the gold with very high speed and accuracy. This characteristic makes machine-made gold an ideal option for those looking for economical and standard jewelry.
Stages of Manufacturing Machine-Made Gold:
The manufacturing process of machine-made gold is typically carried out in specialized factories using advanced technologies. The main stages include:
Digital Design: Initially, the design is created precisely using industrial design software. These designs are usually standard and can be produced on a large scale.
Mold Creation: Metal or silicone molds are made with high precision based on the initial design. These molds allow machinery to produce gold pieces with greater speed and accuracy.
Casting: Molten gold is poured into the prepared molds. This process is carried out with specialized machinery, enabling the production of a large number of pieces in a short time.
Finishing and Polishing: After casting, the gold pieces are removed from the molds and their surfaces are polished with polishing machines to achieve the desired shine.
What is the Difference Between Machine-Made Gold and Handmade Gold?
Gold has always been considered one of the most valuable and precious metals. The history of producing and decorating golden objects dates back thousands of years, when artists and craftsmen, with their skill and creativity, created valuable jewelry and art pieces.
This ancient tradition has remained alive throughout the centuries, and even today, artists and master craftsmen skillfully shape pure gold into beautiful and unique forms. In today’s world, digital technologies play an unparalleled role in economic and financial transformations. One of these technological advancements is the emergence of various gold-backed digital assets, known as “machine-made gold.”
These digital assets, such as cryptocurrencies and NFTs, are increasingly used as investment tools and financial transactions. Understanding the differences between machine-made gold and handmade gold is important because the two types of gold differ in several aspects. In this article, we will explore the characteristics of machine-made gold and handmade gold and compare the two.
Machine-Made Gold: Investment Tools in Digital Markets:
Machine-made gold refers to digital assets backed by gold that are created using digital technologies. These digital assets include the following:
Gold-Backed Cryptocurrencies: These cryptocurrencies derive their value from physical gold, which is kept as a reserve. Examples of these cryptocurrencies include PAX Gold (PAXG), Tether Gold (XAUT), and Perth Mint Gold Token (PMGT).
Gold-Backed Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs): These NFTs represent ownership of a portion of a physical gold piece. Each NFT is unique and is registered and managed digitally.
Other Gold-Backed Digital Assets: In addition to cryptocurrencies and NFTs, there are other digital assets, such as digital securities backed by gold, that derive their value from physical gold.
These digital assets are proposed as solutions for investing in and trading gold, offering unique features compared to handmade gold.
Handmade Gold; A Store of Value:
Handmade gold refers to physical gold that is crafted and produced by individuals or private companies. This type of gold contrasts with machine-made or digital gold, which exists in the blockchain ecosystem.
Handmade gold is produced using simple, traditional tools like hammers, flatteners, and manual molds. This process is time-consuming and quality-driven. Additionally, each piece of handmade gold has its own unique appearance and details due to the production process, meaning no two pieces are exactly the same.
Handmade gold often holds artistic value, with traditional and beautiful designs, symbolizing the skill, artistry, and expertise of traditional craftsmen. It also holds special social and cultural value. Handmade gold is recognized as a valuable and unique product, usually priced higher than machine-made gold.
Which is Better, Handmade or Machine-Made Gold?
Choosing between handmade gold and machine-made gold can be difficult, as the better option depends on various factors. For example, if you are looking for something unique and have no time constraints or budget concerns, handmade gold would be the best choice for you, as it offers a distinct design and high artistic value.
On the other hand, if you face budget or time limitations and want to purchase gold that is both beautiful and durable, machine-made gold would be a better option. By evaluating your circumstances, you can make the ideal choice between handmade and machine-made gold.
Should We Give Handmade Gold or Machine-Made Gold as a Gift?
Gold is undoubtedly one of the first options we consider when choosing a gift. The essence of giving a gift is to make the recipient happy, so the more special and unique the gift, the more delighted they will be. And what could be more special than handmade gold? Handmade gold is uniquely designed and crafted, and its design cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
Since it’s a personalized gift, the recipient will realize how much value you place on them. Therefore, if your goal is to give a gift, always choose handmade gold. For example, handmade gold can be the perfect choice for a Mother’s Day gift.
Construction Time of Handmade and Machine-Made Gold:
Since handmade gold is created without the use of cutting machines and molds, it naturally takes a longer process to make compared to machine-made gold. On the other hand, the production of machine-made gold, especially when done in large quantities, takes significantly less time compared to handmade gold.
Strength and Durability of Machine-Made and Handmade Gold:
The strength of machine-made gold is generally higher than that of handmade gold. This is because machine-made gold is produced using specific factors to enhance the quality, such as incorporating stronger metals in the alloy. However, in the production of handmade gold, such strict measures are not always applied, which can result in a less durable piece compared to machine-made gold.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Machine-Made Gold:
Machine-made gold, like handmade gold, has its own set of advantages and disadvantages due to its unique production method. The advantages of machine-made gold can naturally serve as a turning point in increasing its selection for purchase by buyers.
Some of the advantages of this product include:
- More affordable price: Due to mass production, manufacturing costs are lower, resulting in a more reasonable selling price.
- High production speed: A large number of units of the same model can be produced in a short time.
- Uniform design: All pieces, after being manufactured, are identical with no visible or even weight differences.
- Lighter weight: Some models are created using lightweight techniques, resulting in a significantly lighter weight compared to handmade gold.
- Easier availability: These products are available in most small and large jewelry stores and do not require special orders.
The disadvantages of machine-made gold can be stated as follows:
- Limited design variety: The designs are restricted to industrial and standard models.
- Lower build quality: Some models may have less durability and can wear out more quickly.
- Lower investment value: In the market, its value is mostly based on weight and carat.
- Fewer details in design: Machines cannot create the fine details in gold pieces like handmade gold.
General Tips for Using Handmade and Machine-Made Gold:
For Special Occasions:
For special occasions such as weddings or engagements, it is better to opt for machine-made gold. This is because their cutting and molding are more precise, and they often incorporate gold and precious stones in their design. Additionally, it is much easier to create matching rings for both the man and woman with greater delicacy.
Of course, this does not diminish the value of handmade gold. Some people prefer to choose rings that are uniquely designed for them, rather than ones filled with expensive gemstones, ensuring that the design cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
Mass Production:
Machine-made gold, produced in large quantities using machines, is not ideal for those seeking a unique design. These individuals should opt for handmade gold, as it can be produced exactly according to their personal preferences.
Gift Giving with Gold:
For gift-giving, handmade gold is a more suitable option because it has a unique design. The person receiving the gift can be assured that their gold is not like the jewelry of those around them, which creates a pleasant feeling.
On the other hand, some people believe that buying gold from a well-known brand is much more valuable. Therefore, it depends on your mindset and the person you’re buying the gift for—whether they prefer something unique or a purchase from globally recognized brands.
Final words:
By choosing any piece of gold, you are actually showcasing a part of your personality and taste. The goal of designing and crafting jewelry and gold is just that—to offer various designs for different individuals, tastes, and cultures, so that each person can select the gold that best aligns with their spirit and mindset.
Customers have the right to choose between handmade gold or machine-minted models. Therefore, it’s important to be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of each method, so you can make the best choice, which we’ve fully explained above.
Finally, we would like to mention that “Zarrin Gallery” proudly holds the distinction of being the first online store for “handmade gold” in Iran, offering its products in beautiful collections inspired by nature and the delicacy of flowers to its discerning customers. To purchase products from this gallery, you can visit our online store at the address below.
