Jewelry design is usually regarded as the preserve of the exceptionally talented. However, a healthy DIY trend in the industry is developing in which jewelry stores are now offering customers the chance to create their own jewelry. 

The Global Times has found a number of businesses that offer DIY jewelry-making services where enthusiasts can make their own rings, necklaces, earrings, and hair accessories with various materials including silver, crystals, and colorful glassware.

The one and only 

Located in the city's artistic hub at 50 Moganshan Road, One Piece Silver DIY is one of the few jewelry stores that has achieved a five-star rating on dianping.com, the popular consumer website. The store's owner Shino Wang named the shop after her favorite TV animation series One Piece, and she believes it is an apt name because every customer "can make their own unique piece here."

Photographs of the creations of satisfied customers abound in the store, showcasing every kind of DIY jewelry making imaginable. Each piece of silver jewelry starts with a bag of silver "clay" which customers turn into an ornamental wonder during the creative process.

To make a silver ring involves a number of procedures. In the first place, the customer sketches their design on a piece of paper. Secondly, they combine a dry, silver clay mixture with adhesive to create a dough-like substance which can then be molded into the shape of a ring to fit the finger. Then the clay is heated at 150 C for about 15 minutes. At this stage, you can carve your own particular design into the ring - be it a name or a drawing - with the use of a finely pointed engraver.

Then the "dough" is heated at a temperature of up to 800 C oven for about 30 minutes. The last step is to polish the ring with a special brush.

The studio has five teachers - both full-time and part-time - to help students make their own jewelry.

Add: Room 105B, Building 8, 50 Moganshan Road 莫干山路50号8号楼105B室

Tel: 1580-083-2292

Opening hours: 1 pm to 10 pm, reservation preferred

The crystal kingdom

Zhang Weiran, the manager of Loki Natural Crystal DIY Shop on Hongmei Road in Minhang district, oversees a veritable paradise of natural crystals and stone beads.

The Wenzhou-born businesswoman has been operating in the international crystal trade for a number of years, and she sources her products from both China and abroad. Customers can find all manner of precious stones at her store such as garnets, rubies and malachites.

Zhang and her staff run DIY classes almost every day, each lasting for about 90 minutes. To start with, customers can either sketch their own design or select one from a book. They then decide which crystals they would like to use in their design. The store's "teachers" will then show customers how to twist and weave the wires that hold the crystals into certain shapes.

"We are happy for our customers to come up with their own designs, but we can also offer advice about colors and materials," Zhang told the Global Times. Zhang opened a second outlet in Pudong New Area last year, and DIY classes for children aged over five are available at both sites.

Puxi shop:

Add: Room 506, Taihao Building, 3211 Hongmei Road 虹梅路3211号泰豪大厦506室

Tel: 3412-3982

Opening hours: 10 am to 7 pm (closed on 15th of every month)

Reservation need to be made two days in advance

Pudong shop:

Add: Room 203, 168 Jinyan Road 锦延路168号203室

Tel: 5031-9096

Opening hours: 10 am to 7 pm (closed on 15th of every month)

Reservation need to be made two days in advance

The class of glass

Compared with precious metals and stones, glass is a far more affordable option for DIY jewelry lovers.

A Japanese-style DIY jewelry store named Shanshui Mingwu in the Wujiaochang area of Yangpu district provides handmade glass beads for customers.

Glass beads of different shapes, sizes and colors are showcased in every corner of the store and they can all be turned into bracelets, necklaces, brooches, pendants and bookmarks.

The shop displays many finished designs for customers to choose from, and the staff can advise customers on how to choose beads and wires. Customers can select their own materials which staff will then assemble for them, and the whole procedure takes no more than a few minutes. If you would like to make your own jewelry piece, you will need to make a reservation in advance.

Add: Room 3308, 3/F, 20 Guoji Road

国济路20号3楼3308室

Tel: 1333-1892-870

Opening hours: midday to 8 pm