What is Ceramic Jewellery? A Unique Expression of Sustainable Fashion
Fashion knows no bounds, and the newly evolving, unique varieties of jewellery in the market are the finest testament to that.
From traditional handcrafted gold and silver ornaments to modern sustainable pieces made of ceramic or clay, artisans bring stunning categories of jewellery to complement women's everyday fashion. While each variety of handmade jewellery is worth treasuring, many people nowadays are adorning their look with elegant and humble ceramic jewellery.
Ever since sustainability has become a growing movement worldwide, fashion has also gradually contributed to it by introducing eco-friendly options. Ceramic jewellery is one of them that are making a difference as coveted accessories that blend ancestral craft with modern style!
Want to learn further about ceramic jewellery and the lesser-known facts about it.
Well, this blog takes you through the interesting details of ceramic jewellery. From explaining what ceramic jewellery is to how it's made sustainable and how to style yourself with it, this blog delves into everything. Start reading to discover the fascinating world of ceramic jewellery!
What is Ceramic Jewellery?
Ceramic jewellery is an artistic accessory for styling, made of fired clay that goes through meticulous manufacturing processes. The ceramics used in the making are primarily known as jewellery-grade ceramic, which is not similar to the material used in pottery for making dishes, flower vases, and vessels like porcelain.
To sum up, what is ceramic jewellery? They are precise and modern wearable accessories made of ceramics. They are given shape by compressing under high pressure and fired at extremely high temperatures.
When it comes to appearance, every piece of ceramic jewellery showcases a blend of traditional artistry and contemporary designs. They are in and out beautiful, can elevate your style any day, and leave no subsequent impact on the environment.
For anyone who loves fashion and wants to make sustainable choices, ceramic jewellery pieces are the best option.
What is Ceramic Jewellery Made Of?
To understand this, let's take you back to the origins of ceramic jewellery.
The enchanting ceramic jewellery was first discovered and made in the ancient civilisations when artisans uncovered the potential of earth and fire together. In the regions of the Indus Valley, the potters skilfully moulded clay to make decorative items and ornamental pieces like beads and amulets.
What started as a part of ancient culture gradually evolved and resurfaced as modern sustainable choices. Over the years, new industrial methods and materials, such as technically advanced ceramic carbide, have been introduced to create ceramic jewellery. These were starkly different from traditional pottery ceramics and helped craft wear-resistant ceramics. These hypoallergenic pieces don't tarnish or oxidise like metal jewellery.
Primarily made of clay, ceramic pieces are wearable art pieces shaped, fired, and then glazed to incorporate the distinct designs.
Here are a few brief steps explaining what ceramic jewellery is made of and how it's made.
• Sourcing Clay: The base material of the jewellery is clay that artisans source naturally.
• Shaping: The clay is given a desired form for making the jewellery using various traditional or modern techniques like hand-building, moulding, pressing, texturing, wheel throwing, or extrusion.
• Firing: After giving a shape to the clay, artisans fire it in a kiln at extremely high temperatures, which hardens the material.
• Glazing: A particular type of coating, known as glaze, is applied to the fired clay, and it is fired again. It helps to add colour, hard texture, and a protective layer to the clay piece.
• Applying Additives: To make unique and stunning jewellery pieces, they incorporate pigments or additives into the clay and glaze to give specific colours and effects.
Why is Ceramics Jewellery Sustainable?
The growing popularity and continued relevance of ceramic jewellery as fashion accessories can make you wonder what's so special about them.
Well, it is their sustainable property that makes them a conscious fashion choice and popular among all age groups of women. For being sustainable, they have a low environmental impact, which makes their manufacturing far ethical than jewellery making with precious metals.
The following are the best reasons that explain why ceramic jewellery is popular as a sustainable fashion.
- Eco-friendly making process
The ceramic jewellery-making process is a key reason behind their increased popularity. With no mining activities involved, they are easy to source from nature's abundant resources, like clay.
Mining leads to soil degradation and, to some extent, deforestation. These are hard to prevent with the traditional jewellery-making process that uses gold, silver, and other precious metals. The ceramic jewellery collection follows an ethical production process, similar to that of crochet jewellery – another sustainable variety of jewellery.
Like them, ceramic jewellery making contributes to the economy of local communities, and the process of packaging and transportation leaves a minimal carbon footprint. Thus, the ceramic jewellery contributes to no such degrading impact on the environment, which makes it an eco-friendly and sustainable fashion choice.
- Lightweight and comfortable
One of the interesting facts about ceramic jewellery pieces is that they are unique in design. Yet, they are lightweight and easy to wear. Whether it is the ceramic rings, earrings, or neckpieces, you can carry everything throughout the day comfortably without feeling any heaviness in the ear, fingers, or neck.
Due to their lightweight designs, they are ideal to wear with any casual or formal attire.
- Affordable yet luxurious
While high-end metal jewellery is more expensive and luxurious, consider the more affordable option: ceramic jewellery. Despite being made of inexpensive fired clay, they have an elegant feel and look that effortlessly complement every style.
Since ceramic materials like clay are considerably cheaper, artisans and designers can make amazing and intricate jewellery pieces for half the cost of other materials like gold or silver.
Women who are less aware of what ceramic jewellery is often think it's expensive due to its complex and luxurious designs. However, that is not the case. They can afford a lot of elegant pieces that match their outfits without stressing about the budget!
- Low maintenance
Women want to wear and cherish each of their jewellery pieces for years! While premium jewellery can last a lifetime, the big question for many is how durable ceramic jewellery is. Well, the durability of ceramic accessories offers a distinct value to them and makes them treasured pieces.
Being durable, they have lower maintenance with no need for polishing or special cleaning to maintain their exceptional beauty. This makes ceramic jewellery a handy fashion solution for women that they can carry without spending money or time on its maintenance.
To keep them looking new and shiny while preventing dust on the surfaces, occasionally clean them with a soft brush or cloth. Ceramics are also scratch-resistant, which makes every piece of jewellery appear brand new for longer.
But, that may have got you wondering – is ceramic jewellery waterproof? Those made of clay are not water-resistant and may tarnish or discolour after coming in contact with water or liquid solutions like perfume.
- Supports the green fashion movement
Ceramic jewellery is becoming a prominent part of sustainable fashion for its eco-friendly and low-waste craft. Designers and jewellery makers are creating such elite pieces not just to reflect traditional artisans but also to support the movement of green fashion.
If you are someone buying ceramic pieces, you are also supporting local artisans and promoting their exceptional craftsmanship. As the demand for sustainability is growing everywhere across the planet, ceramic jewellery emerged as a distinct segment that is responsibly reducing the carbon footprint of the fashion industry.
Advantages of Choosing Ceramic Jewellery Over Metal
Now that you know how to make ceramic jewellery, let us unveil to you the unique properties that differentiate them from precious metal jewellery pieces. These are also the advantages that specifically make ceramic jewellery better than other metal jewellery.
1. Ceramic jewellery pieces are highly durable and resistant to scratches and tears, making them superior to metal jewellery items. They easily retain their beautiful appearance for years, even if you wear them often. For this reason, it is considered an ideal and affordable fashion piece for active lifestyles!
2. In terms of weight, ceramic items are far lighter than any metal jewellery pieces. That is why they are easy to wear and carry all day long. Whether you are wearing a gorgeous necklace, a bracelet, or a pair of earrings, none of them will make you feel heavy. So, style those large-sized statement necklaces of ceramic without feeling discomfort in the neck.
3. Ceramic has hypoallergenic properties, which makes them a wise fashion choice for people with sensitive skin or those prone to metal allergies.
4. Any metal jewellery feels cold on the skin when you wear it for the first time, and it can also heat up when you are wearing it outside on hot summer days. None of these issues occurs with ceramic pieces, as they adjust to body temperatures easily, making them comfortable to wear.
5. Modern and aesthetic pieces of ceramic jewellery are available in colourful and vibrant designs, unlike metal jewellery. The colours also don't fade or tarnish over time, which eliminates the need for polishing or re-plating as needed for metal jewellery.
6. All varieties of ceramic accessories are exceptionally beautiful and available within an affordable price range. Compared to high-karat gold, silver, or platinum jewellery, they are inexpensive while providing the same luxurious appeal and performance.
How To Style Modern Ceramic Jewellery?
If the uniqueness of ceramic jewellery excites you, start collecting some of the brilliant pieces, including earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. There are ceramic pendants and artistic rings, too, that you can try with formal or casual outfits. To help you style well with ceramic jewellery accessories, here are some expert tips:
1. Pair your jewellery with solid-coloured outfits to highlight the sleek, charming pieces more. For instance, if you are wearing a black ceramic neckpiece or pair of earrings, wear them with white or light coloured clothing. It will dramatically pop up the ceramic jewellery against the dark tone of the outfit.
2. Lighter ceramic pendants, cuffs, and rings are statement pieces that are best to wear with traditional or ethnic wear. Many of them echo the motifs, patterns, or heavy ornamental elegance of Harappan adornments. Wearing such pieces will reflect your fondness or tribute to the Indian cultural legacy.
3. When pairing ceramic jewellery with professional attire, keep it minimal by choosing classic white or black accessories. It offers grace and sophistication to your look without overdoing it.
4. If you are going out for an evening party or outing, try to complement your look with ceramic jewellery that is embedded with crystals or gemstones. They not just elevate the look but also create a perfect balance of contemporary style and traditional elegance.
5. If you are looking for elegant ceramic pieces for a special occasion or to pair with a striking traditional outfit, consider accessories featuring pearls! Thinking, what is ceramic pearl jewellery? They are uniquely crafted artistic pieces that are embellished with sterling pearls and make a classy addition to your attire.
How To Care for Ceramic Jewellery?
Knowing what ceramic jewellery is or how to style it isn't enough. If you love this traditional artistic form of jewellery and consider adding more to your collection, be sure to take care of them for an extended lifetime. Here are the key care guidelines to follow:
1. Clean all your jewellery pieces regularly with a soft, moist cloth. Use a mild soap if they have gathered enough dust. Avoid using harsh chemical cleaners, as they can damage the jewellery pieces.
2. Thoroughly dry the ceramic jewellery pieces after cleaning them using a soft, lint-free cloth. It prevents the pieces from getting any water spots and also maintains the unique lustre of the material.
3. Remove your ceramic jewellery before bathing and indulging in any activity that might expose it to sharp objects. Despite being extremely scratch-resistant, the ceramic jewellery can easily chip or crack if it gets struck against a hard surface.
4. Always store your collection of ceramic jewellery separately from other metal pieces. It is necessary to prevent potential scratching in the pieces. You can keep them in an individual soft pouch or a compartment of your jewellery box.
5. Avoid exposing your ceramic jewellery pieces to excessively high or low temperatures, which can potentially distort the material. It can affect any other metal components or adhesives used in the jewellery craft.
What To Look For When Buying Ceramic Jewellery?
When buying ceramic jewellery, consider a few factors to ensure you get the most authentic, handmade, and finest pieces. Selecting the most reliable pieces ensures they are suitable according to fashion sense or intended use. Here are a few key factors to consider when buying the right ceramic jewellery items.
1. Craftsmanship: Look for only handmade ceramic jewellery that has several variations in shape, texture, design, and glaze. They reflect the artist's skills and attempt perfection. So, if a piece appears perfectly uniform in shape and pattern, it might not be truly handmade.
2. Clay and glazing quality: The clay used for making the jewellery must be durable enough and of high quality to meet your sustainable fashion needs. The glaze of the jewellery must also be seamless and even, without any visible cracks or flaking that may hamper the quality.
3. Functionality: Check the products before buying for parts like clasps and connecting elements. It ensures the jewellery pieces are functional and you can use them comfortably.
4. Ergonomic designs: Consider the overall design and shape of the product to determine its comfort level, especially for rings and bracelets. Check their edges to make sure they are smooth and will make you feel at ease during extended wear.
Create an Elegant & Statement Look With Ceramic Jewellery!
Ceramic jewellery is beyond just traditional handcrafted accessories. They are sophisticated and soulful expressions made with love and care by skilled artists.
Now that you know what ceramic jewellery is and how it is a part of the fast, sustainable fashion, it's time to order some unique pieces from Amar Shindook. A majority of our collection of ceramic jewellery carries the authentic Bengali cultural aesthetics and echoes their traditional craft. Whether you're looking for a minimalist necklace or a timeless, heavy neckpiece to complement your ethnic saree look, explore our vibrant collection and choose the perfect piece.
Discover our online collection today and add exquisite ceramic jewellery pieces that are both soft and powerful to your wardrobe.