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 than you might think.
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:
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.
Designers use precious materials for high-end fashion jewelry and fine jewelry. For example, we use gold, platinum, and other metals to craft wearable pieces of art.
The less expensive types of fashion jewelry are plated with a thin layer of gold or silver. This means that the surface layer of the piece is made of precious metal and contains fillers like nickel. While this isn’t a problem for most people, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that up to 20% of Americans are allergic to nickel.
If you or a loved one has a nickel allergy, you may want to invest in hypoallergenic jewelry. Hypoallergenic jewelry has little to no nickel, so it won’t trigger an allergic reaction.
Some of the best metals for sensitive skin are stainless steel, sterling steel, platinum, titanium, copper, and 14k and higher gold. All these metals are used for fine jewelry and high-end fashion jewelry. We also use gemstones to craft high-end jewelry, such as emeralds, rubies, and .
You may have a love-hate relationship with jewelry if you have a metal allergy. But it doesn’t have to be this way! Ask us about making a replica of your favorite piece of jewelry with precious metals and . We’d be more than happy to help you transform your ideas into reality!
Often, jewelry is repaired through soldering, which is melting metal to join two broken pieces together. The only problem is that inexpensive types of fashion jewelry are plated with a thin layer of gold or silver. This thin layer can wear off and discolor the jewelry where the repair was made.
It’s also important to remember that different metals have different heat points. Your piece of fashion jewelry may be a combination of unknown metals. This would make it difficult for a jeweler to restore the piece to its original condition. For this reason, a jeweler may test a small area first to see how it reacts to the soldering flame before proceeding with the repair.
Fine jewelry and high-end fashion jewelry are often easier to repair because they’re made of precious metals. This means that we can solder it as many times as we need to restore the function and appearance of your treasured piece of jewelry.
As a premier jewelry store in Grand Rapids, MI, we would be more than happy to help you select the perfect piece of jewelry. We treat each customer as an esteemed guest and want to make sure that whatever you pick is something you’ll treasure for a lifetime. To contact our specialized jewelry team, call Paul Medawar Fine Jewelry at (616) 363-4902.
