Costume Jewelry Aide

Sometimes all you need to make your outfit perfect is the right jewelry. With jewelry you can dress up a plain outfit to be evening wear or even add that certain touch of class with a simple earring, necklace and ring set. When it comes to class, however, nothing compares to the look diamonds can create. Since Hollywood starlets began flaunting diamonds in the beginning of the last century, they have been coveted by women the world over in order to gain for themselves that look of untouchable class.

In past times costume jewelry was popular as an insurance policy of sorts as families would opt to have copies made of their precious pieces and the originals placed in a safe place while the copies were worn. Costume jewelry was also considered a cheap imitation for people that couldn’t afford the luxury of real diamonds. Today, however, there is another option which makes diamonds affordable for everyone without the stigma or compromise on quality- lab created diamonds.

Lab created diamonds are exactly as the name suggests- diamonds created in a laboratory.  They match the same hardness and chemical make-up of a mined diamond and are made to appear flawless with the naked eye. Their other advantages are that they are considerably more affordable than mined diamonds and have a low environmental impact compared to their mined counterpart. In comparison, even the most brilliant of mined diamonds have flaws and the stones with flaws not visible with the naked eye are the most coveted and so quite often unaffordable to the average person.  Because they are the same chemical make-up of mined diamonds, lab created diamonds are suitable for any setting and design desired whether it be gold, white gold or platinum. If they are placed in a quality setting there is no reason why the jewelry piece wouldn’t last a lifetime and even become a family heirloom.

As well as diamonds, other precious gems are also now lab produced and offer the same advantages as lab created diamonds. Emeralds, rubies, sapphires and even cubic zirconia are just some of the gems produced for the current market and, just like the lab created diamonds, they are the same chemical make-up of the mined gem. they look just as stunning when placed in the right setting whether alone or with other gems and no-one need ever know that your precious gem is lab created unless you tell them!

Tags: Costume Jewelry Information, Fashion Jewelry // Add Comment »

Costume Jewelry is generally viewed as an inexpensive fashion accessory compared to traditional fine jewelry. Cheap costume jewelry is a great way to accessorize without breaking the bank. In the recent past however, costume jewelry has become quite popular and is now being traded with particular emphasis on vintage pieces. Still, because of its popularity and material variability, most remain inexpensive.

Cheap costume jewelry can best be identified through the materials it is made of. Most are made with inexpensive materials such as glass or plastic beads, copper, wood, and other easy to find materials. Many hobbyists create their own jewelry using various types of materials. Things like cheap costume jewelry necklaces and cheap costume jewelry rings. It provides a lot of fun for designers, allowing them to express their creativity while adding contrast to everyday wear.

Making costume jewelry is easy, fun and inexpensive. You can create them anywhere using materials that are readily available at home or can be bought online or at small dress supply and arts and craft shops. Interchange materials to achieve any desired look.

Below are a few quick steps for creating your own costume jewelry piece.

Picking your materials is really dependent on your desired style. The choices are endless. As an example, the type of string you use to attach beads and other pieces make a difference to the final look or design. Using a solid twine such as hemp provides structure while adding a certain look to the final jewelry piece. Using nylon or wire are likewise sturdy but this means adding more material onto the string. Ultimately you make a decision based on your style or preference.

Other materials you can use can be based on patterns and designs that you can view almost anywhere. Going to museums, an arts and crafts store, department stores and other similar locations can help you select the kind of material available to you that suits your style. There are many online sites that provide you with great ideas on the various materials that you can use for your accessory.

Once you’ve picked your material, cut the string to the length of planned piece adding 4 more inches. Start a knot at one end of the string. String your first bead and knotting the string after each one making sure that the knot prevents each piece from slipping. Using a needle to string beads can be helpful if you encounter any difficulties. Make sure to place another knot at the end of the last attachment. Finish by attaching a clasp at the other end of the string.

These are just simple steps in making a bracelet or necklace but more importantly it is to demonstrate that making cheap costume jewelry can be both fun and easy. It also tells us that getting costume jewelry for cheap isn’t all that difficult.

Tags: Making Costume Jewelry // 1 Comment »

Costume jewelry by definition is an accessory that is specific to an outfit or fashion. Thus costume jewelry rings vary in style and design. These range from very expensive rings with precious metal and stones to the cheap costume jewelry rings made of semi-precious to non-precious materials.

A costume ring can be enhanced not just by the design but by the settings applied in the manufacture and design of the ring. If you learn the options applied in different costume ring settings and apply the knowledge in your selection of costume ring jewelry, this will help you make the right choices and ensure the quality of your choice.

The three most popular ring settings applied to costume jewelry are: the Prong, Pave and Bevel.

Prong

The Prong setting is best identified through the type of hooks used in setting stones. The hooks are slender and are not immediately visible. The discreet design gives the stones a larger look and feel. This is perfect for something like a ruby ring where the stone is the centerpiece. Most stones using the prong setting likewise are exposed to more light thus giving it sheen due to the reflections from various angles.

While the prong setting allows plenty of exposure, the downside to this is the tendency of the ring to get hooked on clothing, bags and other similar items. A stone on a prong setting is also prone to loss as the attachments are not as secure compared to other settings. For costume jewelry that does not have precious stones, this setting is perhaps the most popular. You can find this setting on many vintage costume jewelry rings.

Bevel

The bevel stone setting is not as popular as the prong setting however it does provide a unique advantage. Perhaps the greatest feature of a bevel setting is its protection of the stone. The bevel setting is identified through the metal platform for the stone. The metal rim extends to cover the stone partially to secure in its setting. This provides protection from loss and breakage. While the bevel has the added protection for stones, it doesn’t provide the flexibility for designers – especially those working on costume jewelry rings.

Pave

The pave setting is typically used for embedding stones along the surface of the ring band. This setting is popular for those who like to use diamonds that provide a circumferential glare. It is not used a lot in costume jewelry as this is dependent on the design of the ring. The downside of using the pave setting is the lack of protection on the stones. The pave setting is not as popular as the prong or bevel settings.

Tags: Costume Jewelry Information // 1 Comment »