Why do people buy jewelry?

I think people buy jewelry for many different reasons. For some,
it’s an addiction - makes them feel good for a moment. For others,
it’s “business” - they “need” a statement piece or something to match
a certain ouftfit. Ot hers buy to commemorate a special occasion, for
a gift, for a souvenir, for an investment. My favorite buyers are
those looking to create a collection of (my) pieces - my second
favorite are people who “are not looking to buy anything, but just
can’t resist that pretty stone/color/technique”. My feelings on the
matter, from my “mission statement” or bio - “I believe in jewelry
that makes you feel like a goddess, like a superhero; a little more
like the essential YOU.”

Blessings,
Susan “sam” kaffine

Before you can question why people buy the stuff you have to
figure out why you make it. 

I’ve been making jewelry for nearly forty yrs now-since I was 12, and
I’m not really sure why anymore, other than habit. You know, get
outta bed, size 10 rings, set 10 diamonds,make a pendant mounting,
put in 25 batteries, size 6 watchbands, go home, sleep, and next
day, do it all over again. But quiting jewelry is kinda like stopping
smoking- cant do that either. Tried a few times but always came back
to what felt the best, but not neccesarily the best for me.

EdR

Wow, Jeff - I was perfectly happy creating away until you popped in
with your question. So now I must worry my head over “why” “why”
“why”! I’m sure there are erudite answers, complicated answers,
esoteric answers. For me right now, the only answers that come are
"because I have to", “because an experience in seeing something,
hearing something, feeling something, evokes in me a response that I
want to express in my own tangible outward way - a wish to share”.
Now Jeff, my day started out fine and now it’ll be taken over by
this needling question.

But thanks for refocusing my thinking. When I can put my answer in
meaningful, understandable, and clarifiable words, I will. Until
then, I’ll just go on merrily creating to my heart’s content. And
quite honestly, I don’t care why anybody buys something, I just care
that they do. Mostly I care that they LIKE what I make - it makes me
feel warm and good inside. But even if they don’t like it, I will no
doubt go right on creating it simply because I must! It’s sort of
like asking “Why do you climb the mountain” and the answer is
"because it’s there!".

Kay

I forgot one motivation that I have observed - sometimes, especially
at craft fairs or such, people make a connection with the artist and
want to own something to preserve or commemorate that connection.
It’s somewhere between being supportive of the artist, and having a
small piece of their life, vicariously experiencing what some people
wish they were doing. Not being arrogant here, but there are people
who believe they don’t have the talent and/or courage to make a
creative living - buying a piece from someone who IS, brings them
closer to that experience. This is not limited to jewelry, of
course, but germane if this thread is related to sales motivation…
Or is it a philosophical pondering - why people buy jewelry?

Susan “Sam” Kaffine

So far no one has mentioned that some people have a PASSION for
BEAUTY and owning just to have or for adorning ones self with these
treasures found within the earth (or on the surface) might be seen as
an expression of that connection.

There is also the relationship we have to fashioning objects or
owning objects that have symbolic, iconic, or mythical meaning and we
relate to this as humans have through the ages. There also is just a
connection to making or owning just as an expression, a translation
of a prayer into a physical object where reverence is experience
whether consciously or subconsciously. There are feeling and emotions
involved that sometimes are experienced but difficult to articulate.

Whether it is making a flower arrangement, cutting a gem, or making a
piece of jewelry or cooking a beautiful meal, I can experience a
release of endorphins, and sometimes it is not the least expensive
high, but it is usually legal, depending on what kind of flower
buds…(but the laws are changing in some states).

Richard Hart G.G.
Denver, Co.