Handcrafted Jewelry
The main good difference between getting handmade pieces online is the greater and more extensive range of choices. Also, the quality is generally higher for the price offered as there is no middle man, and the choice of options cause the margins to be offered as minute as imaginable.
Online companies have very few overhead prices as compared to mom and pop stores and other places of that nature. Multiple employees, rent, and utilities more than offset the minute shipping numbers you will have to pay to get a good piece of jewelry. Generally, jewelry does not require large storage costs so even these costs don't hurt suppliers too much and allow them to supply you a infinitesimal price as contrasted to what you are supplied at your local smaller store.
Also, in many ways, the personal connection to the smaller store is exaggerated. The swell feeling you get from purchasing from a mom and pop shop often fades, and with it, you are left, ultimately, with the jewelry. Believe it or not there are a plethora online that offer strong quality products because you have a multitude of options to pick from.. so if that is your aim, you are not limited to the smaller stores.
It's also much cooler to make custom orders if custom jewelry is your aim, as there are a large amount of choice antique stores can't offer you. The boundlessness of the internet makes getting jewelry online far greater to the offline, mom and pop shops of yesteryear.