Nothing is more personal and exciting than wearing jewelry that was specially made by a real, live- person! Handmade jewelry sure beats the factory, model-made jewelry that undoubtedly thousands of people own.

Fortunately for consumers, there are is a huge selection of handmade jewelry styles, most of which utilize techniques that have been passed down for centuries. For an ethnic flare to your wardrobe, check out the following:

Seed Beading- Using small "seed" beads, Native Americans created complex, multi-layered, handmade jewelry. You can often distinguish different tribes based on colors and designs that permeate through the rest of the tribal culture.

Pearl Jewelry- It was in Japan where the mass harvesting of pearls first began. Today, some of the world’s most coveted pearls are from Akoya, Japan where mollusks are grown, polished, and strung by man.

Sterling Silver- For a stunning, and inexpensive jewelry option, try sterling silver jewelry handcrafted in Mexico. Carved and designed by hand, silver jewelry is sure to be an heirloom in your family.