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Fashion Jewelry

Fashion jewelry is jewelry that is suitable to be worn everyday. The materials that are used are often much less valuable than other jewelry that is often purchased as an investment or to be collected. They may appear to be made of gold and diamonds, and that it their purpose. Most likely that gold and diamond necklace is made from polished brass and cubic zirconium crystals that closely resemble diamonds.

Gold and silver plating is common in fashion jewelry because it provides the same finish as more expensive pieces, but is much more affordable. The material under the finish is often pewter, nickel or cheaper sterling silver. Coco Chanel became famous because of her fashion designs, and they often included faux jewelry with fake pearls and gold plating.

Wood, plastic, leather and acrylic are also widely used materials in fashion jewelry because they are easy to obtain and inexpensive. Rhinestones are a material highly regarded in costume jewelry and caused its huge burst in popularity in the 1930’s. Rhinestones originally were crystals that were gathered in the Rhine River, but with the application of metal to the bottom of glass the same effect was achieved allowing them to be reproduced in large numbers cheaply. Their glimmering, diamond like quality has made them popular decorating gems for jewelry, fashion and apparel.

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