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Portuguese filigree is one of the greatest treasures of our national jewellery heritage.
Made from ultra-fine gold or silver wires, woven with impressive delicacy, it continues to enchant those who appreciate jewellery rich in tradition, beauty and meaning.
But there's a common question: how can you tell if a piece is handmade or machine-made?
In this article, we explain the key signs that help you make that distinction — so you can choose with confidence and value true Portuguese craftsmanship.
Perfection (or lack of it) tells a lot
Handmade filigree pieces are never 100% symmetrical. You might notice small variations between sides or between pieces of the same model. And that’s a good thing!
Machine-made pieces tend to be much more uniform. The geometry is perfect, the wires look fused or glued, and there’s little to no space between them.
In short: if it looks “too perfect”, be suspicious.
Look inside the wires
True artisanal filigree is made with two extremely fine wires twisted together, then shaped by hand to fill the structure of the piece.
If you look closely, you should see that twist. In machine-made pieces, this detail is usually missing, the wires look smooth or stamped with a pattern.
Check the shine and texture
Handcrafted work gives the piece a slightly irregular shine. Some areas reflect more light than others, creating a visually rich and authentic texture.
By contrast, machine-made filigree usually has a more uniform, even slightly artificial, shine. It looks flat.
Look for the metal hallmark and maker’s stamp
In Portugal, genuine jewellery must have:
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A metal hallmark, which guarantees the authenticity of the gold or silver
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A maker’s stamp, identifying who produced the piece
These marks don’t directly tell you whether the filigree is handmade or machine-made,
but if one is missing, it’s a sign to question the overall quality of the piece.
Ask about the origin and the artisan
A trustworthy seller can explain where the piece comes from, who made it and how it was produced.
If the answer is vague or generic (“it’s Portuguese filigree”, “it’s handmade”), it may be mass-produced or even imported.
At LoveitPortugal, for example, we work only with Portuguese artisans and guarantee that every piece was made with time, care and traditional know-how.
And we take pride in sharing the story behind what we sell.
Price: not everything that shines is gold (or silver…)
Handmade filigree takes hours, or even days, to complete.
It’s meticulous work that requires a lot of experience. So don’t expect it to cost the same as mass-produced versions.
If you find a piece that’s “too cheap”, stop and think: is it really handmade? Or is it just an industrial imitation?
Final thoughts: paying attention is a way of valuing what’s ours
Knowing how to tell handmade from machine-made filigree is a sign of respect for Portuguese craftsmanship.
It’s about recognising the work of generations of master jewellers who keep this centuries-old art alive.
At LoveitPortugal, we’re proud to support those who still create filigree by hand.
So when you choose one of our pieces, you’re getting more than just a piece of jewellery — you’re carrying a piece of the Portuguese soul.
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