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.
Velvet on a hand form, specifically
A velvet-covered hand form is soft against a ring shank and the pile holds a bracelet where it is placed rather than letting it slide down the wrist. Covering the fingers cleanly is fiddly work and it shows at the joins.
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 velvet is applied to a display form
Velvet is glued over the form and the pile has to run the same way on every face, or one side of the same block reads darker than the other. On a curved form it is cut in panels rather than stretched, because pile flattens where it is pulled.
Where it is used
Ring and bracelet counters, bridal displays and windows, where showing the piece worn does more than showing it clean.
Velvet under case lighting
Pile absorbs light instead of bouncing it, so a velvet display sinks into the background and the piece on it becomes the brightest thing in the case. It also means the display itself photographs dark, which suits a shop and not a catalogue shot.
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 velvet
Velvet-covered display reads as traditional and formal. The pile absorbs light rather than reflecting it, so the piece on top is the brightest thing in the case.
The pile shows handling and dust. Velvet display belongs behind glass, brushed regularly; on an open counter it ages faster than suede.
What we need from you
| What we need | Why |
|---|---|
| Height and footprint | The finger and wrist diameters have to match the range. |
| Velvet colour | Matched to a Pantone reference or a swatch |
| Velvet on this form | A velvet-covered hand form is soft against a ring shank and the pile holds a bracelet where it is placed rather than letting it slide down the wrist. |
Frequently asked questions
Can hand forms be made in our brand colour?
Yes — the velvet 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 velvet a good choice for a hand form?
A velvet-covered hand form is soft against a ring shank and the pile holds a bracelet where it is placed rather than letting it slide down the wrist. Covering the fingers cleanly is fiddly work and it shows at the joins.
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 velvet 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.