Props for Jewelry Photography: A Guide to Adding Extra Sparkle

If you’ve been following us, you already know everything there is to know about jewelry photography by now, but have you got everything you need to capture a jewelry piece that would stand out in an oversaturated jewelry market? Today we’re going to talk about props for jewelry photography!

What are jewelry props?

Jewelry props are any object that jewelers can use to enhance the look of your photos. Some props are purely for aesthetics while others are made to be functional and practical. Either way, you don’t need to spend an exorbitant amount of money to get those props ready. You’ll be surprised at how much of it you can actually DIY.

Let’s fill in the missing details! In this article, you will learn about all the different types of props that can help you capture jewelry photos that truly shine above the competition. Most of these you probably already have at home, so let’s get this started!

Props to Make Your Jewelry Stand Out

1. Jewelry Stands and Busts

Jewelry stands and busts will help you present your jewelry pieces in the best light possible. This is specifically necessary for necklaces and earrings as they would allow potential buyers to see the natural flow of the jewelry. More importantly, necklaces photographed on a stand enable your buyers to visualize how the piece would look as the prop would give an illusion of how the necklace would fall around the neck as if a person wears it.

Busts and jewelry stands come in different sizes, colors, materials, and textures. Choose carefully and pick the ones that complement your piece. Don’t go overboard. You don’t want a jewelry stand that overshadows the supposed focal point.

2. Backdrop

Choosing the right backdrop is critical when photographing your jewelry products because of the physical properties of your pieces. The fact that they are highly reflective means that they will absorb everything, from colors to unwanted reflections.

To avoid surrounding colors distorting the color accuracy of your gems and metals, opt for a white backdrop. White reflects light onto your piece while dark colors absorb it. However, there are instances where you would use a black background.

A black background is perfect for creating and adding drama, not to mention that it exudes luxury. It would also create a good contrast for light-toned pieces. Know when to use what, and you would never go wrong.

3. Natural Elements

From petals, flowers, and leaves to seashells, there is no shortage of natural props to use to elevate your jewelry photos. This kind of prop not only adds an organic vibe to your jewelry photography but also adds an enticing extra that would truly make serial online scrollers stop from scrolling past your photo.

If you want more inspiration, go outside and take a walk. Nature has a lot of beautiful touches to offer.

4. Trays and Boxes

Do you want to add more value to your customer’s experience? Take this jewelry photography session to an educational one by giving them tips on to store their jewelry pieces properly.

To do this, you will need a jewelry box or trays to demonstrate a proper storage system with consideration to materials used, jewelry types, and design.

Aside from jewelry boxes, you can also photograph your jewelry pieces in the same jewelry box you use when shipping to customers. This is a great way to show your brand’s personality and values, especially if you’re adding a personal touch to your jewelry packaging.

5. Wax or White Putty

Have you ever tried photographing a piece of ring standing up but you’ve been left frustrated all the time?

The secret to this angle is putty or wax. Put wax on the surface and stick your jewelry on it to make it stand. The wax will hold your piece in place. If you’re concerned about the sight of the wax in your photo, you can always use Photoshop to edit it off of your photo or contact a professional photo retouching expert for more polished post-processing work.

6. Artificial Light

Unlike other LED lights in the market, however, the Sparkle Light comes built-in with the GemLightbox, which will ease the process of jewelry photography because the kit is full-on equipment that includes all the jewelry stands and holders you will need for every type of jewelry. This eliminates your need for costly professional photographers. Sometimes it only takes a special lightbox and a smartphone to capture photos like a pro.

And there have you it!

Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comment section below!

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do you make jewelry stand out in pictures?

You will need to use props to make your jewelry pieces stand out. These props can either be for aesthetic purposes only or for practicality. For instance, jewelry holders are props but they help present your jewelry in the best light possible.

What props to use for product photography?

The props you will need for jewelry photography are jewelry stands and holders, black or whiteboard for backdrops, jewelry boxes and trays, and natural elements that you can find in your surrounding such as fallen leaves, petals, flowers, rocks, and seashells, to name a few.

What are the best camera settings for photographing jewelry?

Begin by setting proper lighting for your jewelry piece. Natural lighting is preferred or diffused lighting. Set your ISO to the lowest setting that your camera allows you to. Usually, it is 100 or 200. Choose an aperture value between 16 and 22, depending on the gemstone or metal you’re photographing.