What it does
A hand form is a shaped hand that rings and bracelets are shown on, so they are seen at the angle they are worn rather than flat in a tray. It is the only display that answers the question a customer is actually asking, which is how it will look on them.
Microfibre suede on a hand form, specifically
Suede wraps the compound curves of a hand form with far fewer visible joins than velvet, because there is no pile direction to match around a finger. Of the fabrics it is the one that makes the form read as one object.
Getting the proportion right
The finger and wrist diameters have to match the range. A form cut for a slim hand will not take a men's ring, and a form that takes a men's ring makes a delicate ring look lost on it.
How microfibre suede is applied to a display form
Microfibre suede has a short, even nap and no grain direction to match, so it wraps a compound curve more cleanly than velvet and shows fewer joins. That makes it the default on shaped forms.
Where it is used
Ring and bracelet counters, bridal displays and windows, where showing the piece worn does more than showing it clean.
Suede under case lighting
Suede reads matte and even, with none of the sheen shift you get across velvet as you move around a case. Under LED spots it holds one tone from every viewing angle, which is why window dressers ask for it.
The mistake to avoid
A form that is too realistic is unsettling to look at and it dates quickly. Most jewellers are better served by a stylised form that reads as a hand without trying to be one.
Why microfibre suede
Microfibre suede is the working surface of most modern counters. Short nap, matte, and it does not shed onto a polished piece.
Brush with the nap. It recovers from handling better than velvet and is the safer choice for display that is moved every day.
What we need from you
| What we need | Why |
|---|---|
| Height and footprint | The finger and wrist diameters have to match the range. |
| Microfibre suede colour | Matched to a Pantone reference or a swatch |
| Microfibre suede on this form | Suede wraps the compound curves of a hand form with far fewer visible joins than velvet, because there is no pile direction to match around a finger. |
Frequently asked questions
Can hand forms be made in our brand colour?
Yes — the microfibre suede is matched to a Pantone reference or a physical swatch, and confirmed on a sample.
What sizes do hand forms come in?
They are made to your dimensions. The finger and wrist diameters have to match the range. A form cut for a slim hand will not take a men's ring, and a form that takes a men's ring makes a delicate ring look lost on it.
Is microfibre suede a good choice for a hand form?
Suede wraps the compound curves of a hand form with far fewer visible joins than velvet, because there is no pile direction to match around a finger. Of the fabrics it is the one that makes the form read as one object.
What goes wrong most often with hand forms?
A form that is too realistic is unsettling to look at and it dates quickly. Most jewellers are better served by a stylised form that reads as a hand without trying to be one.
Can hand forms be made to match our boxes?
Yes — the same microfibre suede and the same colour across boxes and display, ordered in one run.
Specify your hand forms
Tell us your case or window height, what the hand forms have to show, and your brand colour. We’ll send photos of our work and one clear, all-in quote.