Any jewelry lover can tell you that there are several different types of jewelry to choose from. Fine jewelry, midrange jewels and costume jewelry all make up the spectrum of fabulous finery. However, the multitude of interchangeable terms used to describe jewelry can certainly take the sparkle out of the day. There’s no need to worry. For those seeking basic costume jewelry or fashion jewelry, the difference between the two is pretty simple.
Ultimately, the main difference between costume jewelry and fashion jewelry has to do with when the two terms were coined. Costume jewelry became a popular term back in the 1930’s, when Hollywood opted out of using fine jewelry and instead, ornamented their actresses in fabulous fakes. This costume jewelry was much less expensive than investing in fine jewelry that could get lost, stolen or broken.
The reason costume jewelry was a less expensive choice for the studios was due to the materials it was made from. Costume jewelry is often created from plated base metals instead of solid base metals. For example, while fine jewelry is often made from solid gold, costume jewelry would only be plated with gold. This lessens the value of the piece of costume jewelry, as it contains a lot less value due to less in the way of precious metals.
There are many forms of costume jewelry that are just as lovely as fine jewelry. Some of the most spectacular costume jewelry that is very common and actually, quite similar to fashion jewelry is called diamante. This form of costume jewelry is typically made from an intricate design and set with rhinestones instead of precious or semi-precious gems. Swarovski has become a favored supplier of crystals in costume jewelry, as they are used to replace vibrant gemstones like rubies, emeralds or sapphires in certain costume jewelry designs.
As for fashion jewelry, the same idea of creating something beautiful yet affordable still applies. Fashion jewelry is created out of less expensive materials to make it more affordable to the masses. It earned the name fashion jewelry in the latter part of the century, when “fashion” became a common term.
When people think of costume jewelry, they think of those designs we just discussed – pieces created from plated, precious metals. When people think of fashion jewelry, the same type of image also pops into their head but other, more casual designs do as well. Plastic, colorful earrings are fashion jewelry. Rubbery, stylish bracelets are fashion jewelry. Trendy, metallic necklaces are fashion jewelry. The examples could stretch on and on. The important thing to remember about fashion jewelry is that the focus is on the design rather than the metal being used to create it.
Hopefully, this information will help you better understand the terms fashion jewelry and costume jewelry. In a nutshell, costume jewelry and fashion jewelry are inexpensive forms of jewelry but regardless of what you call them, anything that gives a little adornment to your life should always be considered valuable. You can find endless information on wholesale fashion jewelry and wholesale costume jewelry in the www.iigl.comhttp://www.iigl.com/
