Luxury Jewelry vs Quality Jewelry
Welcome to Fashion Discounts website and to our blog! We are very happy to have you here reading our post on Luxury Jewelry vs Quality Jewelry. In this post we are going to talk about the difference between Luxury Jewelry and Quality Jewelry, Yes! There is a big difference as quickly explained, the other one is just much more expensive! But let´s get into the post and we hope you enjoy reading this and that you might find something from our website… We offer quality jewelry with the best prices and discounts!
Check out this Vintage Jewelry Set, it has been for a long time now one of our timeless and most sold items here at Fashion Discounts! Understanding the difference between luxury jewelry and quality jewelry can be quite simple:
It all comes down to the materials that the jewelry is made with. Figuring out the quality of the metals and the gemstones are all it takes to determine whether a piece of jewelry is considered luxury jewelry or quality jewelry.
We’re walking you through the definitions that expert authenticators use when it comes to assuring the quality of jewelry so that you know what to look for when shopping for new additions to your jewelry collection.
Luxury Jewelry vs Quality Jewelry - Shopping for jewelry is so exciting! Long ago, buying a new necklace, ring, watch, bracelet, or pair of earrings meant going to the jewelry store. Thanks to the internet, you can now shop online and find fabulous pieces of jewelry from the comfort and convenience of your own home.
Saying that jewelry is the perfect complement to our daily life would be no exaggeration. Jewelry is categorized as fine jewelry and fashion jewelry. Pieces of jewelry can represent your style and personality while also helping you express your individual style. You may be struggling to find what you need when there are so many jewelry options to choose from. So, how can you manage to find the right jewelry according to your style, goal, and budget? Is fine jewelry or fashion jewelry right for you?
There’s one small setback to keep in mind when shopping for luxury jewelry online. It can sometimes be difficult to tell the difference between fashion jewelry or luxury jewelry from pictures alone.
Fashion jewelry follows the latest trends. But did you know that there are different types of fashion jewelry? For example, “costume jewelry” is made from less expensive or simulated stones and plated metals while “high-end fashion jewelry” is made from precious materials. In our opinion, all jewelry should be respected and valued for the beauty it brings into your life. Continue reading to learn why fashion jewelry and fine jewelry often have more in common
Types of Fashion Jewelry
Our specialized team understands the unique nuances of each category of jewelry. Needless to say, all the jewelry that we sell is of excellent quality. Fashion jewelry can fall under the following categories:
- Costume jewelry uses less expensive or simulated stones, as well as plated metals.
- High-end fashion jewelry or fine fashion jewelry uses precious metals and genuine stones.
At this point, you may be wondering how high-end fashion jewelry and fine jewelry are different. After all, both are made from precious materials. The truth is that it all comes down to style.
High-end fashion jewelry follows trends while fine jewelry has a classic style that transcends time. (Think diamond stud earrings, tennis bracelets, and pearl strand necklaces.) These elegant pieces endure as wardrobe staples for decades.
As you shop for jewelry, you’re sure to encounter the descriptions “fashion jewelry” and “fine jewelry.” Fine is made of “real” or precious materials and fashion is not, but beautiful jewelry comes in both forms! We appreciate all well-crafted jewelry, whether it's made from quartz or platinum. But we also think it’s important to know the quality of the materials jewelry is made from before you buy it.
Some jewelry sellers are all too eager to label jewelry as “fine” when it might not live up to the label. Shop for fine jewelry with knowledge–understanding the difference between fashion and fine jewelry can help you make a smart purchase you can wear with confidence.
Quality Jewelry
Quality jewelry, also known as costume jewelry, is usually made with base metals and simulated stones. These pieces are often made with brass, copper, or aluminum, which bend and tarnish easily. Jewelry made entirely out of textiles or leather, base metal alloys, and even metals plated with precious metals like gold or silver also fall under quality jewelry. Simulated stones include plastic stones, cubic zirconia, and Swarovski crystals.
Some jewelry enthusiasts will insist upon a middle category called “semi-fine,” which is reportedly characterized by jewelry that is made with gold vermeil or is gold-filled. (To find out the difference between gold-plated, gold-filled, and gold vermeil, check out this post about jewelry metals). “Semi-fine” jewelry is also made with real gemstones that are much more affordable, like morganite and opals, or “enhanced” stones, which are treated with heat or chemicals in a lab to appear clearer or more flawless or to change the color of the stone.
The “semi-fine” category may be useful for jewelry makers to more accurately compartmentalize their jewelry, but it is not a standard by which experts and authenticators measure jewelry. In the eyes of an expert, “semi-fine” jewelry is still considered quality jewelry because of its incorporation of base metals—again, the materials that make up the jewelry is the deciding factor behind whether a piece is considered quality jewelry or luxury jewelry.
Because quality jewelry is made of materials that are prone to cracking or tarnishing, they do not have much of a shelf life. In addition to that, they are near impossible to fix once they have broken because the level of heat that would be required to solder the brass or copper pieces back together would simply leave the gold or silver plating blackened. Luckily, quality jewelry tends to come at a much lower price than luxury jewelry does, and a broken piece could easily be replaced entirely.
Luxury Jewelry
luxury jewelry is used to describe jewelry made of solid gold, sterling silver, platinum, and/or other precious metals. This kind of jewelry also often uses genuine precious gemstones like real diamonds, rubies, sapphires, etc. Because it’s made entirely of solid precious metals and precious gemstones, luxury jewelry is so much stronger than fashion jewelry and will not tarnish with proper care and storage. In addition to that, when broken, luxury jewelry can be repaired. (For tips about repairing luxury jewelry, read this post about what to do in such an event.) luxury jewelry may come at an elevated price point, but in truth, the value and longevity of these pieces are well worth the investment.
If you’re confused about where designer jewelry falls between these two categories, simply look at the composition of the piece. Some designers do raise prices on fashion jewelry simply because of the association with the brand name, making it seem as though a low-quality piece is actually worth more. But most brands only produce high-quality pieces made of precious metals and genuine gemstones. Do pay attention to hallmarks on your jewelry to figure out whether it’s fashion jewelry with a fancy brand name or truly luxury jewelry.
If you are interested in investing in luxury jewelry but are deterred by the price tag, you should definitely look into buying pre-owned. You get all of the high-quality materials and excellent craftsmanship at a much more reasonable price. TrueFacet Marketplace sells pre-loved luxury jewelry and watches, all of which have been authenticated by our in-house team of experts.
WHAT IS FASHION JEWELRY?
Fashion jewelry is made from base metals (like copper and brass), leather, or plastic and may include simulated stones made from plastic, glass, or crystal. This category also includes jewelry made from a base metal that’s plated with gold or silver. It’s not described as “real” jewelry because it’s not made from precious or semi-precious materials.
Fashion jewelry is often created as an imitation of fine jewelry. It’s less costly but still attractive. However, the lower cost comes with much lower quality. Because of the metals it's made of, fashion jewelry will damage easily and can discolor your skin or turn it green. It’s not made to last a lifetime, but if you break or lose fashion jewelry, you can easily replace it.
WHAT IS COSTUME JEWELRY?
Costume jewelry is a type of fashion jewelry popularized in the early twentieth century. It’s usually made of plastic, glass, or resin. Fashion jewelry and costume jewelry can be used synonymously, but costume jewelry has a reputation for being very artistic, stylish, and whimsical. It may even have a high price tag because of its artistic quality and the designer.
Many prominent couturiers, like Coco Chanel, designed and popularized costume jewelry in the first several decades of the 1900s. It has since been worn by the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Kennedy, and Madonna. Vintage costume jewelry in good quality is hard to come by but highly sought after and is now a popular collector’s item.
Inexpensive Vs Expensive Jewelry
Beautiful and exquisite jewelry is integral to us as a human culture. Simply put – exquisite jewelry makes us look better and feel better. This attraction makes us hunters of fine jewelry, and with it can come a temptation to opt for inexpensive jewelry over expensive jewelry.
Why does one piece cost more than another? To understand the real differences between inexpensive and expensive jewelry, and what you’re getting with a certain price tag, we need to understand things further.
The Rule Of Inexpensive Vs Expensive Jewelry
With jewelry, you get what you pay for – there are clear reasons why one piece costs more than another. Bargains generally mask a sacrifice somewhere along the line; you just may not understand exactly what that sacrifice is. Let us explain.
Why one piece is more expensive than another predominantly comes down to three main reasons:
- Quantity and the quality of the diamonds or gems used
- Quantity and quality of the metal used
- Craftsmanship
Inexpensive jewelry versus expensive jewelry involves looking at these contributors to the price tag. As a customer, you are likely to understand the basic differences in types of precious metals used for jewelry such as platinum versus white gold. You’re also likely to understand that certain jewels are inherently worth more because of their size, or even nature, such as diamonds over topaz. You aren’t a stranger to being able to spot skill and beauty in a setting, and understand how this craftsmanship will affect a price.
However, beyond this, the difference between expensive and inexpensive jewelry becomes a little more complicated. The market is full of synthetic stones as well as artificially treated stones which look like but are much cheaper than natural gemstones. It’s here that the buyer needs to be careful not to be fooled into believing they are getting a bargain. Remember, there’s no such thing as a “something for nothing’ when it comes to fine jewelry.
Beyond these three primary reasons, there are also other factors which come in to play. Hand-made jewelry is always going to cost more than mass-produced. This is because there is additional value provided in the workmanship. This also applies to designer labels – you’re also paying, in effect, for the art. You will find these pieces are more unique, and are usually only offered for sale through specialist jewelers rather than large chain stores.
What is Fine Jewelry?
The term “fine jewelry” is used for any jewelry that is made from precious metals such as gold, silver, or platinum. Fine jewelry typically uses genuine gemstones like diamonds, sapphires, rubies, or emerald. Fine jewelry is durable and made to last. As a result, fine jewelry can be worn every day.
What is Fashion Jewelry?
Contrastly, “fashion jewelry” refers to any jewelry that is not made from precious metals. Fashion jewelry is sometimes called “costume jewelry,” and is often made from base metals, such as brass, copper, or aluminum. Fashion jewelry can also be made with textiles or leather, or base metals that are plated with precious metals. If a piece of fashion jewelry is made with a gemstone, it is almost always simulated, which means the “gemstone” might be plastic, glass, or crystal (among others).
The Benefits of Fine Jewelry vs Fashion Jewelry
When you compare fine jewelry and fashion jewelry side by side, there’s no question which one is the better choice. Fine jewelry is created to last for a lifetime and can even be passed down for generations. When fine jewelry breaks, it can usually be repaired by a trained goldsmith. Rings made of precious metals such as gold, platinum, or silver can also be resized over time. Rings made from non-precious metals cannot be resized.
Another benefit of fine jewelry is that it retains value in the future. Fine jewelry can become family heirlooms that are passed down for generations. We regularly see pieces of jewelry that belonged to our customers' grandmothers or great grandmothers! Fashion jewelry has no resale value and is less likely to become a family heirloom, although it does happen.