Hey Beth,
this is absolutely what I find! People don't buy most of my work just to buy jewelry, but to buy "art jewelry" - and they care about it as art AND as jewelry, which means if whatever materials I'm using work visually in the piece, they are fine with it. This is NOT the same market as someone buying or selling wedding bands or most engagement rings (although some of those do sometimes move into the "art jewelry" market).
You said it so much better than I!! My favorite compliment is
hearing from a customer that when wearing my work, s/he received
compliments on them. Yeah lady! You rock!
Judy in Kansas