Costume jewelry and fashion jewelry are essentially the same but from different time periods. The two types share similarities in construction and purpose, but there are some subtle differences between costume and fashion jewelry. Many consumers use these terms interchangeably while some jewelers and fashion designers distinguish between the two categories.
Similarities of Costume and Fashion Jewelry
Both costume and fashion jewelry offer consumers the same benefit of affordable accessories. These jewelry types mimic the appearance of finer pieces by using less expensive materials. Fine jewelry can be expensive because it uses precious metals and gemstones that are quite valuable. Costume and fashion jewelry substitute these materials with plated metals and fake gems.
Function of Costume and Fashion Jewelry
Consumers purchase costume and fashion jewelry in order to look fashionable while maintaining a budget. The price of diamonds, solid gold, and precious gemstones can be expensive when trying to coordinate jewelry pieces with different outfits. Costume and fashion jewelry imitate the look of fine jewelry but can cost significantly less. With imitation pieces, consumers can wear a different set of jewelry everyday for relatively low prices.
How Costume and Fashion Jewelry Mimic Higher End Pieces
While expert jewelers can tell the difference between fine jewelry and imitations, the average consumer may be fooled by the realistic effects. Solid gold, silver, and platinum emit a luminescent shine that attracts the eye. Cheaper metals like nickel and pewter are duller in appearance, so to mimic that shine, designers plate the material with small amounts of gold or silver. This plating keeps the piece inexpensive while creating the look of precious metals. Diamonds and gemstones are also expensive depending on the quality. The brilliance and facets are slightly more difficult to imitate, but glass blowers try to replicate the shape and color of precious stones. Mid-grade jewelry sometimes uses semi-precious gems to keep prices lower while maintaining the beauty of fine jewelry. Plastic and acrylic beads with shiny coatings imitate the appearance of pearls at a cheap cost.
Rhinestones in Costume and Fashion Jewelry
One of the first methods used to simulate the look of diamonds was to coat the back of rock crystals with metal flakes. These crystals became known as rhinestones because they were collected from the river Rhine in Europe. With the proper construction, some rhinestones even sparkle like real diamonds under certain lighting conditions. Imitation jewelry featuring rhinestones became so popular that manufacturers coined the term diamante to categorize such pieces. Designers incorporate different colored crystals to mimic the effects of various precious gemstones.
Swarovski Rhinestones
The brand Swarovski introduced an iridescent crystal rhinestone in the mid 1950s using scientific treatments to produce the elegant effect. Many consumers ask for Swarovski jewelry by name because of the highly realistic looks and mid-ranged price level.
Similarities of Costume and Fashion Jewelry
Both costume and fashion jewelry offer consumers the same benefit of affordable accessories. These jewelry types mimic the appearance of finer pieces by using less expensive materials. Fine jewelry can be expensive because it uses precious metals and gemstones that are quite valuable. Costume and fashion jewelry substitute these materials with plated metals and fake gems.
Function of Costume and Fashion Jewelry
Consumers purchase costume and fashion jewelry in order to look fashionable while maintaining a budget. The price of diamonds, solid gold, and precious gemstones can be expensive when trying to coordinate jewelry pieces with different outfits. Costume and fashion jewelry imitate the look of fine jewelry but can cost significantly less. With imitation pieces, consumers can wear a different set of jewelry everyday for relatively low prices.
How Costume and Fashion Jewelry Mimic Higher End Pieces
While expert jewelers can tell the difference between fine jewelry and imitations, the average consumer may be fooled by the realistic effects. Solid gold, silver, and platinum emit a luminescent shine that attracts the eye. Cheaper metals like nickel and pewter are duller in appearance, so to mimic that shine, designers plate the material with small amounts of gold or silver. This plating keeps the piece inexpensive while creating the look of precious metals. Diamonds and gemstones are also expensive depending on the quality. The brilliance and facets are slightly more difficult to imitate, but glass blowers try to replicate the shape and color of precious stones. Mid-grade jewelry sometimes uses semi-precious gems to keep prices lower while maintaining the beauty of fine jewelry. Plastic and acrylic beads with shiny coatings imitate the appearance of pearls at a cheap cost.
Rhinestones in Costume and Fashion Jewelry
One of the first methods used to simulate the look of diamonds was to coat the back of rock crystals with metal flakes. These crystals became known as rhinestones because they were collected from the river Rhine in Europe. With the proper construction, some rhinestones even sparkle like real diamonds under certain lighting conditions. Imitation jewelry featuring rhinestones became so popular that manufacturers coined the term diamante to categorize such pieces. Designers incorporate different colored crystals to mimic the effects of various precious gemstones.
Swarovski Rhinestones
The brand Swarovski introduced an iridescent crystal rhinestone in the mid 1950s using scientific treatments to produce the elegant effect. Many consumers ask for Swarovski jewelry by name because of the highly realistic looks and mid-ranged price level.
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