Contemporary jewellery pushes boundaries through form, design, and use of nonconventional materials to express an idea. Conventional jewellery materials such as precious and semi-precious gemstones are finite and progressively depleting. The study is driven by the need for a tool to objectively compare and contrast different materials used for manufacturing jewellery. A selection matrix is developed and proposed for use of nonconventional materials in jewellery and ornamental applications. A comprehensive approach is adopted to develop a Triaxial Matrix, a visual representation designed to test the effect of three variables—rarity, physical, and optical properties. The tool is portable and simple to use. The Selection Matrix is used to screen materials, assess the impact of each material, and evaluate various implications. Based on the outcome, an appropriate material can be selected relevant to factors—rarity, physical, and optical properties. This paper provides rationale to use nonconventional material for jewellery designing.
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