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fine things
Costume Jewelry
vs.
Fine Jewelry
By Rachel C. Murphy
D
iamonds are a girl’s best friend, right? We all learned
that from Marilyn Monroe in the 1953 film Gentlemen
Prefer Blondes. As she extols the virtues of earth’s
hardest stones, we can all daydream of diamonds and gold.
Back in reality, diamond jewelry costs a pretty penny.
Does that mean that we have to go unadorned? Absolutely not!
Costume jewelry fills in the gaps between those pieces that
we will pass down to starry-eyed little girls as they play in our
jewelry boxes.
In an age where man-made materials are almost as
durable as gold and silver, what’s the difference between
costume jewelry and the good stuff? We’re going to find out.
Most jewelry in the past has been forged from gold, silver,
platinum or an alloy. As many of these metals are very soft in
their original state, metals are mixed to increase their strength
and ability to resist corrosion.
According to most reputable jewelers, fine jewelry is defined
by the materials from which it is comprised. Fine jewelry
will contain real gemstones, whether organically sourced or lab
created. Precious gemstones are typically considered diamonds,
rubies, sapphires, emeralds and pearls. These stones will also
be set in fine metals, such as gold, silver and platinum.
Costume jewelry is much more widely worn, since it is
typically much more affordable. While it is less expensive, that
doesn’t necessarily mean that there is a lack of quality. Another
term for costume jewelry is fashion jewelry.
While costume jewelry still contains jewels, they are
typically made of glass, plastic or paste. They give off the same
sparkle for a lot less coin. Many people must be careful when
wearing costume jewelry because of metal allergies, such as
nickel. It is common now to make costume jewelry as nickelfree,
or hypoallergenic.
There is now emerging a third category, often known as
Many fine jewelry designers
are now working in mediums
that were once the domain of
costume or bridge jewelry.
bridge jewelry. Bridge jewelry will contain higher quality metals,
such as sterling silver, and semiprecious stones. Sterling
silver is an alloy that increases its strength and durability.
Semiprecious stones include jade, turquoise, amethyst, lapis
lazuli and garnet. Many birthstones are considered semiprecious
stones.
While the basic differences are in materials, costume
jewelry has made great strides towards the style that fine
jewelry once set. Many fine jewelry designers are now working
in mediums that were once the domain of costume or bridge
jewelry.
Tiffany and Co. is a perfect example. Their iconic Tiffany
charm bracelets are priced in the fine jewelry range, but they
are forged from sterling silver. While much of the price difference
is because of their name and reputation, the materials
that they are working with are the same as much lower priced
pieces.
David Yurman is another example. His twisted rope
jewelry is made of sterling silver and semiprecious stones such
as topaz and onyx.
Just as clothing goes in and out of style, so does jewelry.
Some materials that were once considered precious have now
decreased in value when more stores of them were found.
Amethyst is one such example. Once thought to be one of the
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