Jewelry Photography Equipment You Need For Sparkling Photos

Some jewelers find that choosing the right equipment to use when photographing their jewelry products and designs is overwhelming. With a plethora of options on the market today, it’s not difficult to fall for rip-off purchases and overpriced tools that don’t deliver the desired results. In reality, the quality of your jewelry product images is not solely dependent on the equipment you’re using. Although it helps in getting the results you need, much of the weight is put on the skills and jewelry photography knowledge you have.

Hence, if you think you fall short on the latter, it’s reasonable that you make investments. For instance, hiring professional photographers or purchasing advanced jewelry lightbox solutions that are proven and tested by other jewelers. This means the benefits outweigh the cost. Don’t forget to do a cost-benefit analysis before making a decision.

Not all jewelers will have the resources to make big investments like those big companies with established profitable business models.

If you’re still in the infancy of your business journey, testing the water, and don’t have a huge capital, or a self-sufficient army-of-one who wants to learn every business process, there’s always a solution for you! In fact, we knew, from frequenting numerous industry-related forums, that you’re not alone. If you’re one of the many who takes jewelry product images on your own, we’ve made a list of the equipment, tools, props, and accessories you need to get the job done.

Ready?

Read on!

Jewelry Photography: Equipment, Props, and Accessories You Need for Your Next Photo Shoot

1. Camera (of course!)

“What’s the best camera for photographing jewelry (sterling silver, diamond, closeup shots, etc.) for websites and professional product images?”

This question is probably the most popular as it frequently pops up in various industry-related forums. It’s proof that the proliferation of options has sent people confused and overwhelmed; thereby, making it a bit difficult to identify the right and most appropriate choice for your products.

Nowadays, most, if not all, DSLR cameras are fit for the job. In fact, more than the camera, one of the major concerns when deciding on jewelry photography equipment is the lighting system and the lens you’ll be using. Nevertheless, here are some cameras to check for taking jewelry images.

• GemCam

The ultimate jewelry and gemstone camera, GemCam, as the name denotes, is a camera specifically designed for jewelers. It boasts features you won’t find on other devices, with advanced autofocus, a macro lens for capturing precise details, and a Sparkle lens to bring out the natural sparkles of your jewelry and gemstones.

If you’re after the simplicity of smartphones but want better photo quality, you should definitely check out GemCam to experience elevated jewelry shots.

• Nikon D3400

Nikon D3400 is an entry-level DSLR that features a Snapbridge application, which lets you transfer your jewelry images seamlessly from your camera to any smartphone or tablet device via a Bluetooth-supported connection. It also lets you control camera settings that are critical in achieving high-quality results – the shutter speed and aperture.

As we’ve established before, any camera that enables camera settings adjustments is an appropriate choice. This is important when photographing jewelry as it requires you to shoot from 1 to 2 meters away from the subject. This distance will allow you to capture the details of your jewelry without appearing blurry, provided that you shoot with a wider aperture setting.

Nikon D3400 is sold starting at $499.95. The price may vary based on your preferred kit. You can also get a Basic Bundle D3400 (complete with different lenses, tripod, cleaning kit, and camera case among many others) from Amazon for $579.99 and above.

• EOS Rebel T5, Canon

EOS Rebel T5 is perfect for DSLR beginners. It can capture exceptionally clear jewelry images with its 18.0MP CMOS(APS-C) sensor while its 18 to 55 mm zoom capability makes it ideal for photographing small objects like earrings and rings. Rebel T5 is equipped with many advanced features that even experienced jewelry photographers will love. Features like the DIGIC 4 Image Processor, an ISO of 100-6400, expandable to H:12800, and a scene-intelligent auto-mode among many others make photography more accessible no matter the environment.

You can get Canon EOS Rebel T5 for $549.99 or $384.49 via Amazon.

HOW ABOUT SMARTPHONES?! Yes, smartphones will delight you with amazing results too!

If you think DSLRs are too pricey for your needs, don’t fret! A smartphone is a good alternative to expensive cameras. It’s always accessible and comes in handy all the time since it fits your pocket and is not necessarily pricey. Nowadays, smartphones, which disrupt digital camera sales, can deliver near-professional results and performance. Check out some of the 2023’s best smartphone cameras. Remember that you can start with the one you have given that most smartphones nowadays are equipped with functional cameras.

• iPhone 11 Pro

• Samsung Galaxy S10

• Huawei P30 Pro

2. Macro Lens

The term macro lens usually comes up when discussing closeup photography. A macro lens can reproduce small subjects at up to 1.0x or 1:1 magnification at the closest focusing distance. It’s not necessary to be brand-conscious when deciding which macro lens to buy. However, don’t forget to consider the following factors:

• Focal length

“Focal length refers to the optical distance from the lens to the point where light rays entering the lens converge to form a sharp image on the sensor.”

–James Abbott

Aside from the optical distance, the focal length also characterizes the lens’ angle of view and the magnification. For instance, how wide or narrow of a scene you want to capture and how small or large the subject will appear in the frame. The focal length is expressed in mm. The shorter it is, the wider the angle of view produced and the smaller the subject would appear in the frame. The opposite is also true. The longer the focal lengths, the narrower the angle of view and the larger the subject would appear in the frame.

• Image stabilization

The image stabilization feature can reduce any vibration commonly caused by handheld photography. It’s a must because it prevents you from producing blurry images. Some macro lenses like Canon’s 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM EF lens have an optical image stabilization system that corrects any wobbles or camera-shake visibility. If you’re using any of Canon’s EOS SLRs, you might want to consider this as it fits any EOS camera. In other cases, a sturdy tripod can also do the work along with other shake-reduction techniques.

The macro lens also applies to smartphone devices. You can check Amazon for clip-on macro lenses applicable to your device or check out GemLoupe which features a custom 5X lens and a Sparkle lens, both of which were tailored for gemstone photography. Alternatively, you can also check our GemLightbox Macro.

GemLightbox Macro is engineered using market-leading technology to capture magnificent 10X magnified images and videos of loose stones and diamonds. Watch the video below if you’re interested to learn how it works. It’s easy and guaranteed stress-free!

3. Lighting sources/system 

• Natural lighting

The most accessible lighting source is natural lighting. It gives you an even distribution of light in either outdoor or indoor settings, which perfectly illuminates the subject provided that you don’t mix it with any artificial light sources. The downside to natural lighting is finding the perfect time to photograph jewelry. Avoid photographing jewelry at midday when the sun is at its fullest as it might be too bright for the subject leading to unflattering results.

• Lighting fixtures

Some artificial lighting sources commonly used in jewelry photography are LED fixtures, single light bulbs or multiple LEDs in one fixture (good for faceted gems), and bare bulb strobe among many others. Regardless of your choice, ensure that all your light sources are of the same color temperature. This uniformity will help create beautiful reflections on glossy surfaces and is easy to control.

4. Table 

Make sure that the jewelry and the light source are leveled by placing the former on the table.

5. Jewelry stands, holders, and other props

Capture professional-looking images by using appropriate jewelry stands and holders for each type of jewelry. For instance, when photographing necklaces, use stands that complement your background and ensure that it is appropriate for the length of your subject. Amazon has an enormous inventory of jewelry holders and props like this Jewelry Easel Display that features 14 slots. Those slots are designed to hold necklaces of varying lengths.

Props to hold rings are different but easier to find. You can use museum putty and other jewelry-holding wax including Elmer’s putty. These are available in any online store like Amazon or visit the craft stores near you. They’re easy to apply and remove without leaving any residue. Make sure that you apply as little amount as possible, so it’s not visible in your images. Otherwise, you can just polish it when you get to the post-production process.

These props are integral to your achieving professional-quality jewelry images. Only use props that best represent your products. Avoid cluttered props and accessories as they may take your customer’s attention away from the subject.

6. White paper, foam boards, and  other alternatives

White background photography is popular in online retail because it creates an impression of professionalism, sophistication, and neatness; thereby, making your online visual display relaxing and pleasing to the eyes. Achieving a white background for your jewelry images need not be expensive if this is the look you’re going for. You can use a roll of white paper, white foam boards, or fabric as alternatives. These props are also ideal for creating diffused, soft lighting. They can serve as a reflector or light diffusers.

Check out these jewelry lighting setup ideas to have an idea of how to use these alternatives on your next photoshoot or click the link below for more tips incorporating more improvised materials.

7. Lightbox 

Photographing jewelry using a lightbox is your way towards convenience, consistency, and simplicity. If you have the luxury of time, you can DIY a lightbox through the materials mentioned above. However, this may not work all the time, especially if you’re photographing jewelry regularly as it may not be as durable as those sold in the market. In this case, cost-saving doesn’t necessarily mean being time-efficient or beneficial in the long run.

Find a lightbox that serves your needs so that you can maximize the benefits. For instance, the GemLightbox or the new GemLightbox Pro was exclusively designed for jewelers. This is evident in its features and characteristics – the lighting system, portability, and the Sparkles™, which brings out the fire, brilliance, and scintillation of your diamonds and other gems whether you want it in still photographs or 360 videos.

Don’t be confused between the latest GemLightbox Pro and the original GemLightbox as the former comes packed with features you won’t find in the first version. With GemLightbox Pro, you will find added functionalities including an AI capability when bundled with GemHub.

There are plenty of options to choose from. As long as you know what you need and what you need it for, you’re on the right path. Don’t forget to assess your needs, benefits, and consequences before making a business decision or a business-related purchase.

8. Grey card

We find a grey card useful when photographing silver jewelry, although it can be used every time you need help in getting the proper exposure. The grey card acts as a reference point when adjusting camera settings like exposure and white balance.

To use a grey card, simply place it near the jewelry and inside the lightbox, if you’re using one. Finding a grey card for your jewelry photography doesn’t require much effort. You can purchase it at any photography tool shop. Alternatively, you can improvise by using grey, non-reflective paper.

Shopping practices are becoming more digital and visual. In a world where customers are said to have an attention span shorter than a goldfish, the competition for attention begins with the quality of your jewelry product image.

What other jewelry photography equipment and accessories do you use? Feel free to share in the comment section below!