Handmade Metal Jewelry Collection
In the designs of the John S. Brana Handmade Jewelry collection, alternative metals often take center stage.
Our line of handmade jewelry shows off the many faces of alternative metals, highlighting their beauty and demonstrating how striking they can be when they are given beautiful textures, allowed to develop natural patinas or electroplated to create bold colors. The jewelry designs are unlike any that you'll find in stores, and each one is handcrafted using the finest of materials and a high degree of attention to detail.
Shop a wide selection of stylish jewelry handcrafted in Aluminum, Bronze, Copper, 14K Gold, 14K Gold-filled, Silver, and Stainless Steel by clicking on any metal from our list to view all items available for purchase.
Discover Unique and Stylish Jewelry Pieces Handcrafted from Precious Metals
Our handmade metal jewelry collection invites you to explore the artistry and intrigue of alternative metals transformed into wearable works of art. From rich patinas on copper bangles to the brilliant sheen of large gemstone cocktail rings, we pair age-old jewelry making techniques with innovative contemporary design.
Who is our jewelry for?
Our handmade jewelry caters to fashion-forward women and men with an artistic eye and an appreciation for fine craftsmanship. Our customers value quality, seek out the exotic and unusual, and see jewelry as a means of personal expression. Our collection avoids the use of nickel to cater to those with sensitive skin.
Urban Bohemians drawn to the rich hues and textures of our mixed metal pieces would pair our collections with their modern vintage-inspired wardrobes. Fearless Trailblazers who boldly push the boundaries of conventional style favor our edgier industrial-inspired designs crafted from unique metals. For the Refined Yet Playful dresser, our handmade jewelry offers a touch of luxe sparkle or sculptural sophistication to complete their elegant everyday look.
When and how to wear
From adding polish to casual weekend wear to making an unforgettable statement at your next formal event, our handmade jewelry collections offer stunning complementary pieces for every occasion.
Weekend Wear
Effortlessly elevate your laidback look with our geo-inspired bronze drop earrings or embossed copper cuffs. On sunny Saturdays, your favorite cutoffs and tanks transform with the addition of our long chain necklaces and stacks of sculptural rings. Meet friends for brunch in style with our delicate filigree earrings swept back in a casual updo and bold cocktail rings dialing up the flair of your midi dress.
Complete the Look: Layer your jewelry over relaxed staples like jeans, tunics, and strappy sandals. Allow your jewelry to take center stage by keeping the rest of your look minimal.
Date Night
Turn heads on your next big date with the addition of our show-stopping statement earrings, romantic gemstone pendants, and rings with brilliant stones. Make your little black dress truly unforgettable by accenting your décolletage with our engraved bib necklaces.
Complete the Look: Style against sleek solid dresses to let the jewelry shine. Add sparkle with a jewel-toned clutch and strappy heels. Sweep hair up for maximum impact.
Black Tie Affairs
Dial up the drama at your next gala or wedding with our sculptural cocktail rings and glamorous precious metal bangles. Modernize floor-length gowns and formal separates like tuxedo jackets with the addition of our handcrafted pendants and one-of-a-kind necklaces. Top off the look by weaving our art deco-inspired hair combs into an elegant updo.
Complete the Look: Adorn floor-length evening gowns and sharp tuxedos with eye-catching statement pieces from wrists to lobes to crown. Finish with embellished evening bags and metallic strappy heels.
Everyday Polish
Incorporate our edgy yet sophisticated jewelry pieces into your daily nine-to-five wardrobe for an instant style upgrade. Our necklaces, metal rings, and hammered metal cuffs infuse basic button-downs and tailored sheath dresses with artistic flair.
Complete the Look: Contrast the clean lines of office-appropriate attire with our richly textured metals and eye-catching shapes. Think modern bangles lining a classic trench or hand engraved pendants topping crisp collared blouses.
Special Occasion Style
Cocktail Parties
Mingle in style donning our statement cocktail rings and delicate bracelets with your next LBD or sequin mini. Make a memorable entrance with the addition of our statement chandelier earrings.
Complete the Look: Play up the glitz and glam with all eyes on you in form-fitting silhouettes bedecked in sparkling jewels.
Honeymoons & Anniversaries
Commemorate life’s romantic milestones - from honeymoons to anniversaries - with our timeless precious metal collections. Select a personalized pair of copper bracelets to celebrate your union or opt for whimsical matching pendant necklaces as a playful reminder of adventures shared.
Shop By Metal
Peruse our complete collection of alternative metal jewelry handcrafted using artisan techniques to bring dimension and intrigue to eco-friendly and hypoallergenic metals.
Aluminum
Prized for its affordability, low weight and corrosion resistant finish, aluminum metal makes a practical jewelry making material that holds intricately textured and engraved detail beautifully. Its muted silver grey tone lends itself well to industrial-inspired jewelry designs.
Best For: Everyday wear, edgy modern style devotees
Bronze
With its rich golden brown hue and gorgeous patina finish, bronze has been prized since ancient times for jewelry making and sculpting. Bronze readily accepts applied patinas ranging from pale green to deep blue. The metal will continue to develop its signature patina darker and richer over time.
Best For: Bohemian style lovers, antique jewelry enthusiasts
Copper
Our extensive handmade copper jewelry collection includes link chain necklaces, solid copper cuffs and bangles, hammered and statement earrings and stacks of copper band rings. Copper boasts a delightfully rosy undertone and when treated with patinas and liver of sulfur, the metal transforms into stunning oceanic blues and greens.
Best For: Statement jewelry lovers, green thumbs and nature girls
Gold
Our sustainably sourced precious metal collections allow you to wear heirloom quality pieces at an accessible everyday price point. We utilize durable yet lightweight gold filled rather than karat gold to craft dimensional statement rings, personalized medallions, and hand-hammered cuff bracelets.
Best For: Everyday luxury seekers, rose gold devotees
14K Gold
Our signature 14 karat gold collections invite you to explore uncommon cuts of meaningful stones from ethically sourced suppliers. Each piece features responsibly mined diamonds as well as dazzling accent stones like garnets, blue topaz, and peridot.
14K Gold Filled
For nearly half the cost of solid gold, our gold filled pieces heat bond two layers of 14K gold to brass cores allowing us to craft fine gold cuffs, and wire sculpted gemstone earrings that last a lifetime. Gold filled also minimizes the use of karats to reduce mining demands.
Silver
Beyond basic sterling silver selections, we seek out intriguing metal treatments like patinas, liver of sulfur and torch enameling to create one-of-a-kind silver jewelry perfect for layering and stacking. The possibilities are endless. Opt for statement gemstone rings, wire wrapped gemstone earrings in fine silver, or hammered silver cuffs to commemorate special dates.
Best For: Personalization, layering
Stainless Steel
Boasting a supersharp high polish finish and serious strength, stainless steel allows us to get creative with bold shapes, clean lines and striking contrasts playing with multiple finishes from mirror-like shine to matte finish. Surgical grade stainless steel makes an optimal choice for everyday jewelry that can withstand wear and tear without tarnishing, warping or irritating sensitive skin.
Best For: Edgy modernists, sensitive skin
Surgical Grade 316L Stainless Steel
Surgical stainless steel is a top choice for sensitive skin. The alloy resists corrosion and tarnishing meaning pieces like wide hammered cuffs can maintain their luminous mirror finish for years without needing replacement. Compared to sterling silver, stainless steel’s hardness makes it highly scratch resistant and less prone to warping and metal fatigue allowing John to craft slender stacks, bold rings and lightweight earrings ideal for everyday.
Choosing Your Perfect Piece
Unsure where to begin when faced with so many intriguing jewelry designs crafted from a world of alternative metals? Consider the following factors when selecting your signature piece.
Choose Your Preferred Metal
Explore our shop by metal pages to immerse yourself in the unique properties and stylistic possibilities of each material. Do you prefer yellow gold’s striking brilliance or theodesant mystique of blackened sterling silver? Are you drawn to copper's romantic allure or stainless steel's slick high tech aesthetic?
Pick Your Style Personality
Are you fashion forward with an affinity for the unusual? Our mixed metal industrial inspired collections feature compelling combinations of bronze, steel and brass. Love all things vintage inspired? Peruse our signature chain necklaces and anticlastic bangle bracelets.
Consider Your Lifestyle
Choose durable metals like stainless steel and bronze if you plan to wear your jewelry daily and want lasting shine that resists scratches. Opt for lightweight aluminum cuffs or stainless earrings if you want to comfortably layer pieces. For special occasions, choose gold and sterling silver.
Select Within Your Budget
With high quality jewelry crafted from alloy alternatives to pricey precious metals like 14K and 18K gold, our collection makes fine jewelry attainable at every budget.
Care for Your Jewelry Properly
Take care to remove metal jewelry before showering, swimming or cleaning with harsh chemicals which may damage finishes. Store pieces individually in soft lined boxes rather than tossing together loosely in a jewelry pile to prevent scratching. Annual professional cleanings along with monthly home cleanings using a gentle polishing cloth safe for your chosen metal will help jewelry maintain its shine.
Certain metals like bronze and copper may patina naturally overtime as well, enhancing their beauty.