Fashion Finders

Posts Tagged ‘Jewelry’

To look at fashion jewelry and antique pieces of jewelry, one can not see any difference at all. Fashion jewelry goes back to the thirties in the United States. Even fashion jewelry from that period is considered antique even though it is not expensive. The more antique pieces worth the most are older than this.

Beginning With 1930

Fashion jewelry of the 1930′s was created because of the need to have a cheaper form of jewelry that could be disposed of after being work with one outfit only. It was not like the more expensive and precious jewelry that was given to children and grandchildren after death. The fashion jewelry was only created to be fashionable only for a time and then when a new outfit or style was created, it could be changed easily. Large amounts of fashion jewelry were made in this time.

The Eras And Times

Fashion jewelry with a low price tag was also prevalent before 1930. These jewelry pieces were made of glass or paste and could be seen as far back as the eighteenth century. Those with money had their own precious pieces made into copies because they needed to protect their investments. The middle of the nineteenth century saw an increase in the middle class societies wearing these same types of fashion jewelry more often but instead of glass, semi precious stones and metals were used. Gold, diamonds, precious gems, and thin gold pieces became available to the middle class and were cheaper so they could afford to buy it. The fashion jewelry was so inexpensive every class of people could buy it with no problem.

Pieces Show Their Age

You can sort what era the piece of jewelry is from. The style, material used, and the piece itself is a clue. Dress clips were not in before the 1930′s and were out of style in the 1950′s. Beginning in 1910 and ending in 1930, silver was the color most preferred by the customers so pieces were made from platinum, silver, and white gold or a material painted silver. By the start of the Second World War, the jewelry changed to make gold the popular metal but was a scarce commodity. Rhinestones came in during the thirties also especially in Europe. It came to American ten years later.

The Same As Before

Today’s costume jewelry is not as varied as you might think from the pieces of the past decades. There is still an abundance of fine precious jewelry pieces, semi precious items, and fashion jewelry. Those styles used in the past few decades are showing it as popular again and is being created for the women of today. The quality of the piece is the only difference you can find but the older pieces have a brilliance and weight that is not found today. No matter whether you like antique pieces or a new piece, they are all fun to collect and show off with a new outfit. You do not just have to collect them; they are now in style and very much a part of the fashion of today. They are also great for helping you to start an interesting conversation at a get together.

From oversized bangles to huge hoop earrings to a mountain of gold chains, we’ve certainly seen it all when it comes to large over-the-top jewelry. Designers send costume-y pieces down the runway, but in reality, we see a lot of these trends carry over to the street scene. Celebrities such as Beyonce, Rhianna and Gwen Stefani are often seeing rocking huge earrings while out and about. Upscale retailers such as Nordstroms and Blooomingdales stock a wide variety of this type of jewelry. Even Target is in on the trend, offering statement rings and oversized bangles to the masses for a fraction of the cost. So what’s all the fuss about?

It’s about getting noticed. It’s about making a statement. It’s about defying the previous rules of fashion and pushing the envelope in terms of how much is too much. Bold jewelry was very popular in 2008, with everything from neon geometric shapes to layer-upon-layer of chains. Today, we continue to see everyone from pop icons to movie stars to college kids wearing this fashionable trend.

The great thing about bold jewelry is that it’s meant to be exaggerated. It’s meant to have a sort of costume appeal to it. Therefore, many of the pieces available are inexpensive, simply a replica of the real thing. Since all it takes is one bold piece to make your outfit stand out, most anyone can afford to get in on this fun trend.

If you’re a little wary about wearing statement jewelry, start with something low-key like a giant cocktail ring, which can add a whole lot of pizzazz to a basic outfit. Work your way up to Cleopatra style bracelets or arm cuffs, if you’re daring. Bold jewelry is meant to grab attention, so just be confident, and let your jewelry sets do the rest.

Fashion jewelry is also known as costume jewelry and it is usually worn at fun or informal occasions. Therefore there are endless possibilities that are open to you while wearing fashion jewelry. Dress up to portray a style, a look, a mood, whatever you want. The best part is that there are no rules.

Cheap fashion

The low cost is probably the best part about fashion jewelry. This is because fashion jewelry is not made from precious metal or precious stones. They are often created out of a relatively cheaper metal and plated with silver or gold. Semi precious stones and other colored stones are used to adorn the metal and give it a finished look. Today fashion jewelry is also made using non conventional material, like wood, pearls, ivory, clay, amber etc. If used creatively these metals can give a piece of jewelry quite an interesting look. Plastic and nylon have also become materials that are commonly used. The use of all these unconventional materials to make fashion jewelry have opened up endless avenues in terms of shapes, colors etc. So if you are looking for something that will give you the exact look you have in mind, fashion jewelry is the way to go.

Whim not investment

Unlike fine jewelry, fashion jewelry is all about fun and being impressive. It is not meant to be an investment. It is meant to accentuate the clothes you are wearing, or the mood that you are in, or perhaps even the culture that you belong too. It is cheap and inexpensive and because of this you can afford to buy as much of it as you like. Fashion jewelry is ideal to buy on a whim, that way if you tire of it after a while, you don’t need to feel the pinch of having spent a fortune on it.

The not so fun side

While fashion jewelry is the way to go today, and while everyone wants to wear it, not everyone can. Fashion jewelry that is made out of metal is generally made out of copper or nickel and it is important to check that your skin is not sensitive to these materials, especially when it comes to earrings. You need to give this factor even more serious thought when gifting fashion jewelry to a friend or relative. Fashion jewelry that goes around the neck, hand and feet might be a safer bet as these generally do not affect the wearer unless they have very sensitive skin.

Care and prevention from wear and tear

While fashion jewelry is fun and great to accessorize, it is not nearly as hardy as fine jewelry. It will tarnish and look dull easily. It is not very difficult to prevent this though. A little care will do the trick. Keep you jewelry away from chemicals like perfumes etc. and wash and clean it with mild soap. Dry it and preserve it in anti tarnish paper and your jewelry should last you a long while.

This season on the runway and on the street, we’re seeing a lot of black jewelry that makes an impact and ups the style ante. Black is always a fashion favorite, and we’re seeing that carry over to jewelry, in the form of statement pieces and beaded numbers. Smoky quartz, onyx and black crystal are intriguing and noticeable. There are several ways to wear these pieces, and here, we take a look at some of our favorites:

Rocker style – It’s hard not to conjure up images of rock stars when you think of black jewelry. From their leather studded bracelets to chain link necklaces, these styles are becoming more mainstream. You can incorporate this look into your current wardrobe by pairing contrasting pieces, such as rough-and-tough chain link bracelets with floral prints and breezy fabrics. Or, give a little edge to a satin or silk dress.

To the office – If you love the look of black stones, but you’re not sure how it’ll mesh with your work gear, then think small and subtle. A great pair of drop earrings with dark stones can add a nice touch to a classic suit or sweater. Black pearls or beads are also a nice way to modernize this fashion favorite. Select large stones for a contemporary and up-to-date statement.

Special occasion – Black stones and rhinestones are gorgeous and go great with black cocktail dresses or jewel-toned gowns and create a fun edgy vibe. Try a thick choker with a cameo or other black beaded centerpiece. Black and gold cocktail rings can be just the ticket for spicing up a basic cami and jeans. You don’t need a lot of jewelry to pull off this look; keep it to one piece that’ll get the job done.

Black stoned jewelry is modern and elegant. And this season, there are some noteworthy pieces that are stylish, affordable and easy-to-wear. So the next time you’re getting dolled up, think about adding some dramatic jewelry for a new twist on basic black.

You can find cheap costume jewelry at: http://www.amazon.com/shops/cmz1978

Everything is $10 and under! Great deal!!

Agate jewelry has been very popular for several centuries now. Jewelry designers choose this stone because it is readily available virtually on all continents, it is relatively inexpensive, and can be found in a wide range of patterns and colors. To further increase its popularity, the stone can be colored and treated to improve its appearance, and to make the colors move vivid. Agates today are often framed in sterling silver settings to create beautiful silver pendants, brooches, pins, and a variety of other jewelry items. The color and pattern combinations available in nature give jewelry designers an opportunity to express their creative and artistic talents and tastes through the superb jewelry that they produce. Jewelers typically prefer to cut the stone into cabochons or beads; facet cut pieces are rarely used. It is interesting to note however, that the use of agates for jewelry and other ornamental purposes also occurred to the Ancients. For examples, records show that the Sumerians and Egyptians used agate as part of their burial rituals. Artifacts found from archaeological digs include amulets, jars, and other ornamental pieces.

Agates are a form of silicon dioxide or quartz. Since quartz is found in great abundance throughout the world, it is logical that agates are found in a multitude of countries around the world. The structure of agates can best be described as cryptocrystalline or microcrystalline. In plain English, this means that the quartz crystals in the stone are so tiny that they certainly cannot be seen by the naked eye, and in fact, are invisible even under low magnification. This crystalline structure makes agates particularly strong. Typical agates have a hardness of about 7 on the Mohs’ scale. Most agates are opaque, or in some rare instances, translucent. The colors defy imagination – ranging from whites and creams to bright blues, hues of purple, and bright red. The complex patterns and vivid colors of Botswana agates are well known in the world of jewelry. Agates generally occur as nodules and veins. If the layers of quartz are concentric, the stone is cut to reveal the banded or striped patterns associated with jewelry grade agates. Madagascar, India, China, Russia and Australia are some of the largest producers of agates in the world today.

The myths, folklore, and legend associated with agates are rivaled only by the colors and patterns in which they are found. In the old days, agates were believed to help protect the wearer and promote strength and healing. The stone is also believed to protect the wearer from bad dreams. There is a quite energy associated with agate, and the stone is particularly beneficial to subtle bodies. Agates also help promote positive energy and optimism.

Fashion trends seem to have a way of repeating themselves every few years, so it’s no surprise that retro fashion jewelry is making a comeback this season. 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s inspired designs and colors are reminiscent of times past. Let’s take look at what each era is bringing to the table today:

40s fashion jewelry: Plastic beads, whimsical designs and florals were all popular jewelry choices back then, and we’re seeing a lot of them today in the form of broaches, oversized bangles and giant cuffs.

50s fashion jewelry: Victorian designs, bows, Lucite and art deco dominated the scene back then. Today, we see Carrie Bradshaw wearing a dainty bow necklace (Search for necklaces) in Sex and the City. We also notice Lucite bracelets (Search for bracelets) as a fashionable favorite.

60s fashion jewelry: Modern styles of black and white, ethnic pieces, hippie jewelry, giant pendants and multi-strand necklaces were all the rage. Today, these jewelry looks continue to rock the catwalk and have inspired the likes of beaded necklaces, leather bracelets and rhinestone butterflies, to name a few.

70s fashion jewelry: Enamel, flowers, modern shapes and a little bit of edge gave this generation a new twist on old bejeweled favorites. Now retro inspired watches, funky rings and over the top earrings give ode to this free flowing decade and its cool designs.

80s fashion Jewelry: Chains, punk rock style and neon colors defined the jewelry trends of this era. Presently, movie stars such as Madonna and Rhianna are taking a blast from the past and sporting piles of gold and silver chained necklaces to give their look some edge. And shockingly yellow acrylic necklaces are at the top of the “must have” list for this spring.

It’s a good rule of thumb to hang onto whatever costume jewelry you own, as the fashion trends will surely repeat themselves again.

 

Costume jewelry, this range is associated with style and panache. They are absolute personality enhancers, worn by the fashion conscious to define their fashion statement. Costume jewelry may be a designer neck piece or a sleek earring… whatever you wear stylizes you and renders a new chic appeal to your personality.

It is stylish and inexpensive… a perfect wear for the style hives who love to spot a head-turning look without burning a hole in their pockets. Yes, costume jewelry is inexpensive owing to its not-so-expensive materials, like, rhinestones or lucite, set in pewter, silver, nickel or brass. One would see glass beads, crystal, semi-precious stones used in place of the real gems.  

However, one would also see vintage costume jewelry making quite a fad among people. The only difference lies in the usage of gold-plated or silver plated metal as the basic material instead of the cheap brass or lucite. Such jewelry can give a real lustrous look to even the trained eyes. Such jewelry is spotted by women in special occasions like marriages, formal parties etc.

Costume jewelry transcends the concept of young and old. It is meant for adornment by those who wish to get noticed, nevertheless the time and place. Smart jewelry is worn by smart people who wish to get noticed to get their work noticed. Such jewelry is ideal for ‘conversation starters’, wherein people would give attention to appeal and by default, listen to your ideas.

Owing to its cheap cost, they are worn on a day to day basis. If you get tired of one piece, you can safely keep it back to your jewelry box and pull out another one. Changing hairstyles every weekend for a new look seems quite a bizarre idea, at least you can now afford a piece of jewelry to enhance the beauty of your ensemble and thus your look.

The designs of the costume jewelry depends on one’s imagination… it could be a unique design, an amalgamation of traditional and contemporary, or just an imitation, it is the best way to look ever graceful without splurging much.

Buy Designer jewelry from Mudit at affordable prices!

Fashion jewelry is not a concept that was born in modern times contrary to what a lot of people might think. It existed way back, dating as far back to the 1700′s. In those days it used to be referred to as costume jewelry. Costume and fashion jewelry are essentially the same thing. They were used to accessorize certain outfits and were not meant to last long periods of times. Here a peek at what fashion jewelry looked like over the last couple of centuries.

The 1700s – duplications of the fine jewelry of the rich

The fashion jewelry that was perhaps the most common in the 1700s was duplicates of the fine jewelry that the rich possessed. The rich duplicated their fine jewelry for a number of reasons. These fashion jewelry items and were often made out of cheap metal with glass stones that were pasted on it.

The 1800s – inventive middle class jewelry

By the middle of the 1800s, the middle class had grown in substantial numbers and jewelry began to be manufactured at different levels to cater to all strata’s of society. While fine jewelry from precious metal and stone was still being made, fashion jewelry was also being made. This jewelry was generally made of an inexpensive base metal and then covered with a layer of rolled gold. Semi precious stones like corals, pearls, amethysts etc would be used. These brought down the cost of the jewelry considerably yet kept it looking classy. There was also the even cheaper variety which was base metal that looked like gold with glass stones. This was fashion jewelry that was affordable to everybody.

The 1900′s – stylish make believes

In the 1900s fashion jewelry went through distinct phases and it is because of this that it is fairly easy to distinguish the era from which a particular piece came from. Between 1910 and 1930 silver was the in color for metal. Most of the jewelry from this period was set in base metals that were colored to look silver. In the 1930s rhinestones became a popular material that was being used in fashion jewelry in Europe. These stones however were not freely available in America till the 1940s and therefore the rhinestone jewelry that was found in America prior to the 1940s was made up of small clusters of stones rather that a big single piece.

The present times – modern and trendy?

The fashion jewelry available today is not very different from what was used in the years that have gone by. The concept is still the same – inexpensive fun jewelry to accessorize an outfit. In fact while fashion jewelry today is modern, trendy & stylish, there is also a segment that is reverting to antique and vintage styles. These pieces may not be as heavy as their original counter part, but if they are worn right they make excellent fashion statements and are most definitely conversation starters! So go ahead, have fun accessorizing with fashion jewelry and dress to turn heads.

Names fashion jewelry is known by include faux jewelry, artificial jewelry, and costume jewelry. It can be very fancy with the most extravagant stones to get the attention of everyone in the room. The stones will be semi precious or fake but still looking good. A necklace may look to be full of diamonds worth thousands but the stones are worth about $10. It is great for fooling the onlooker but good for your pocket book at the same time.

Trendy And Fashionable Pieces

Fashion jewelry is a way to stay with the trends and on the edge of fashion. It is good for the woman who likes to stay looking good. They can follow the current trends and make a statement they are up to the task of being popular. They can also boost their self esteem and how they feel about themselves. The bad part of this is that the trends change so fast that the piece you buy today might be out tomorrow. The great thing is that this fashion jewelry is cheap to buy and is made from materials that are not expensive to use.

Where You Buy Is What You Pay

It will depend on where you buy the pieces from as to how much you pay. The average is about $30 a piece. You do not have to worry about getting its worth out of wearing it. You can put it in your jewelry box and be assured that if it is not in style now; it will be back around in a few years. You can and will enjoy it, even for a short time, and have the money ready to buy the next piece. Because it is so inexpensive, individuals consider it more flexible than pieces containing emeralds, rubies, and diamonds. Fashion jewelry does not have to be put away for the special occasions as it is perfect for any day or evening you want to put it on. Fashion jewelry with extravagant designs is perfect for wedding events, proms, or expensive restaurant dates.

Kiss The Bridesmaid

More and more bridal dresses are being accompanied by elaborate fashion jewelry to make the outfit sparkle and shine. They even purchase the jewelry for the bridesmaids and allow them to keep it as a gift for participating in the ceremony. It does not matter what the colors of the dresses and flowers are, the colors can be found in the fashion jewelry you choose. You can offer your bridesmaids an entire set of matching jeweled pieces for about $50 each.

Different And Affordable

Fashion jewelry pieces are very beautiful, different, and in style. They are very affordable for the masses to purchase. They will stay looking good for a long time so you can wear it again. It is very special for some women to have the precious jewelry pieces crafted from diamonds, silver, gold, and other precious materials but most will settle for the cute, inexpensive designs of fashion jewelry.