Jewellery resource directory for you

I am mostly self taught when it comes to jewellery making and it wouldn’t have been possible without the books, websites, and resources that I turn to. For a long time, I have been thinking about creating a Jewellery resource directory page on my blog. I want it help jewellery designers and makers jewellery design students, jewellery collectors, enthusiasts, and artists who are interested in this field. I had something similar when this blog was on blogger. But since then, many of the publication houses and sites have closed down so I had to take it down. This new post is the step one to achieving the Jewellery resource directory and I hope to constantly revise it. Last updated on 18/11/2023.

Jewellery resource directory

This is an ongoing compilation of various sources of information related to jewellery. They are mostly free, while some of them will charge a nominal membership fee or charge for the classes. I have categorised the resources as books, websites, Facebook groups and supply sources. This list largely points to costume and contemporary jewellery as that is my area of interest. However, I will continue to add to the scarce precious jewellery resources as well.

Jewellery Books to read

Apart from the books mentioned below, I have reviewed some books in the past on the blog. Check out the book reviews here.

• Sustainable jewellery – Julia Manheim
• Traditional Jewelry of India – Oppi Untracht
• Dance of the Peacock – Usha R Bala Krishnan
• A Golden Treasury: Jewellery from the Indian Subcontinent – Susan Stronge
• Contemporary jewelry in perspective – Ed.Damian Skinner
• On jewellery: A compendium of International contemporary Art jewellery – Liesbeth den Besten
• Ethnic Jewellery and Adornment – Truus & Jeremy Daalder
• Making Metal Jewelry: How to stamp, forge, form and fold metal jewelry designs – Jen Cushman
• The Complete Jewelry Making Course: Principles, Practice and Techniques – Jinks McGrath
• Narrative jewelry : Tales from the Toolbox – Mark Fenn
• Jewellery – the Journal of Indian Art – Thomas Holbein HendleY
• Fabulous collection of old books of jewellery and gems at the Gia Library at Archive. org

Jewellery Magazines

The golden era of Jewellery magazines, trade magazines, blogs and online professional classes is over. Many of them including Magazines like Stringing daily and wirework have shut down over the years. Some, still have their online versions or blogs around. I am unsure as to how many will continue to exist post Covid.

• Ornament –  Online scholarly magazine
• Garland Magazine – not just jewellery but focusses on ethnic crafts as well
• The Autor – Contemporary jewellery
• Beadwork  and Lapidary journal – Jewelry Artist both from Interweave
• Belle Armoire Jewelry and jewelry affair magazines from Stampington
• The jewellery editor – Digital magazine
• Retail jeweller (India) – currently published on the website as news articles

Jewellery blogs, websites, Pinterest and Facebook groups

• Art Jewelry Forum – for all things related to Contemporary jewellery. Don’t miss their weekly AJF live.
• Klimt 2.0 – For latest developments in Artisan and Contemporary Jewellery
• The Jewelry Magazine (India) –
• GIA – Gemological Institute of America – information related to gems and gemstone jewellery
• Ethnic Adornment – several articles on ethnic jewellery
• Bedouin Silver – An academic research website run written by Sigrid Van Roode. Her online history on Jewellery history are fantastic.
• Michael Backman– This is a link to the pinterest boards of Michael Backman Ltd. This is better categorised than the website as you do not have to go through several catalogues to find the pieces that you are looking for. a fabulous treasure trove of items and information.
• Beading gem journal  – Pearl’s blog is delightful to read and full of information
• Jewelry Making journal – I owe it to JMJ and Rena Klingenberg for my first lessons in costume jewellery
• Jewels of Sayuri – Ofcourse –>You are here

Beads L group – This is a Google group of serious bead collectors, jewellery enthusiasts, archaeologists and ethnographers who study beads to understand society, culture, and more.

Facebook resources

Two of the 4 C’s of social media are Connections and Community. Facebook Groups are a great way to interact with people, shop and also learn more in your area of interest. If you are serious about jewellery, then Facebook is the place to be. There are many groups on jewellery, but here are some that I love being a part of. They are all strictly moderated serious jewellery groups. My facebook page can be found here and my instagram handle is @jewelsofsayuri

• Bead peeps –  Its a great place to find fellow jewellery makers and bloggers. Linda hosts a Swap and hop once a year and you also get notices on auctions, destashes and bead sales.
• Ethnic jewels community – must group for collectors and serious purveyors of ethnic jewellery
• Jewels of the World – Discussion on antique jewellery from around the world
• Virtual Souk – this is a shopping group but you can learn a lot about Ethnic jewellery from around the world by observing the listings and buying if interested.

Online classes

• Interweave – no classes but tutorials are available for sale
• Craftsy – Its back online with a new found backing
• Ganoksin – technical articles, an array of techniques, and classes.
• GIA for gemology certifications.

Free Online jewelley making tutorials

• Tutorials for eclectic jewellery at Sayuri
• Resource pages of jewellery supplies websites like Beadaholique, Beadeducation and Rings and things blog, Halcraft, and jewellery gallery
• You can also find tutorials shared by several people on Craft gossip, Cut out n keep and ofcourse Instructables.

Online stores for jewellery making supplies

I am sharing websites that I shop from including the mention of what I buy there. Ofcourse, there are many more websites and online stores available. Currently, I have not added any etsy stores, Amazon, or stores of independent artistes here. Due to my Advertisement policy I am not going to add links here but simply mention the site/page name. Please search for the names in a search engine for their respective urls. I reserve the right to add links in the future.

1. International Online stores

• Firemountain Gems and jewellery – They have the best sales and discounts
• Beadaholique – latest material in any category + kits
• Ranger ink – For Ice resin, Vintaj patina inks and components
• Artbeads – gemstone beads
• Rio Grande – wire/metal (including precious metal wire) and tools
• Rings and things – wire/metal/tools
• Beaducation – wire/metal/tools
• Halstead bead – beads
• Dry Gulch beads and jewelry
• Plessman Leather – leather and fabric cords
• Panda Hall (China) – wholesale beads and findings
• Jewelry supply
• Alamould – Moulds and resin

2. Indian online stores

Many of them do business on Whatsapp and/or accept UPI payment

• Horizonbeads – fancy beads, cords and ropes
• BeadsNFashion – wholesale – beads, findings, including sterling silver
• Navra Beads – agates, pearls and basic jewellery making materials. Their offline store is in Chennai.
• Aumni Crafts – packaging and basic jewellery making materials
• Jscrafters – beads, kemp findings
• Embroiderymaterial – Swarovski pearls, filigree, rhinestone, seed beads, embroidery items
• Thedesigncart – French wire, embroidery items, beads and findings
• MadeinIndia beads – Indian and Imported beads
• The Madras Bazaar – Epoxy resin and related items. Their offline store is in Chennai.
• Khushi Handicrafts – resin, colourants and moulds

Facebook stores/pages

• Dev Beads – beads, findings and jewellery
• Gem Closet – gemstone beads including their synthetic versions
• Beads,Components and Findings for Sale, India – This is the link of a moderated Facebook group of sellers and not an individual page. But you can find many sellers here. 

3. Craft supplies stores in India where you can find supplies for Mixed media jewellery

• The craft shop – cocoons and mixed media supplies. Their offline store is in Chennai.
• Crafters corner – it is a craft supply site where you can find interesting items to use in mixed media jewellery.
• ItsyBitsy – Both Online and offline – Since its a chain store, you may find one in your city

Jewellery and gemstone Trade fairs and shows

• IIJS at Jas Jaipur (India)
• JCK – Las Vegas
• Schmuck, Munich
• NYC Jewelry week
• Tucson Gems and jewelry show
• Shangai Jewel show
• Beadfest, USA
• Athens Jewellery week, Greece

Please understand that this Jewellery resource directory is a work in progress and I do have a lot more information to add. Therefore, bookmark this page and keep checking for updates. If you have any resources to add please send me an email with details or add them in the comments section and I will add it to the post. Feel free to look around in my blog for several articles on Gemstones, Bridal jewellery from around the world and Please share this article on social media if you find it useful.

I hope you find it interesting
Cheers