About Costume
Jewelry
Just because an accessory is called costume jewelry does not mean it is only worn on Halloween. Costume jewelry can be defined as basically any type of jewelry that is not made from genuine precious metals or gemstones. Also known as fashion jewelry, junk jewelry and fake jewelry, some costume jewelry is definitely not junk---nor is all of it cheap. Many different styles, materials and price ranges are found in the costume jewelry market, which has become a thriving place for accessories to fit just about any need.
Significance
While costume jewelry may have once been frowned upon, it has become a major staple in the fashion industry. Costume jewelry has gotten so hugely popular, in fact, that it has branched into other areas. Collars and accessories for pets, such as leashes and bandannas, often feature faux gemstones or other embellishments glued or riveted on them. Costume jewelry is also available for people's cell phones, in the form of antenna charms. Stick-on gemstones, which can be displayed everywhere from notebooks to a woman's cleavage, are another innovate product on the market.
Types
Some costume jewelry can emulate the real thing, or at least try to, at a much lower price. Here is where folks will find the faux diamond, ruby, emerald and other gemstone pieces that are mean to appear genuine. Other costume jewelry is made of semi-precious stones, such as quartzite or rhinestones rather than diamonds, which also keeps the cost low. Still other costume jewelry is made of other materials not meant to imitate or appear like traditional jewels at all. Pieces include rings, necklaces, hair clips, bracelets, earrings, nose rings, body jewelry, anklets, broaches, pendants, tie clips and hat pins, just to name a few.
Features
There are really no limits when it comes to the materials and styles used for costume jewelry. Faux or real leather, vinyl, plastic and even fur can be found embellishing some pieces. Baubles can be made from glass, beads, porcelain, wood, shells, rocks and even chunks of debris or other recycled items. Jewelry lines can be created from soda pop tops, genuine or imitation turquoise, feathers and bones. Designs can include geometric shapes, animal figures, flowers, trees, stars, the sun and everything else beneath the it. Colors can range from a soft-spoken pink to a blaring red, a subtle mint to a neon apple green.
Size
Costume jewelry can range in size from a small, faux emerald nose stud to a ring nearly the size of a salad plate. Many of the styles that emulate genuine gems will be smaller as to keep the look authentic. A giant diamond ring will more immediately be pegged as fake than a small, tasteful one will. Larger costume jewelry can easily become the focal point of entire outfit. Some of the more prominent styles include chandelier earrings large enough to outfit a doll house, a string of baubles each the size of a fist, bracelets that wrap up the entire arm and gypsy style anklets or neck chains, adorned with several rows of tinkling silver beads.
Warning
One of the saddest tales involving costume jewelry can be found in author Guy de Maupassant's "The Necklace." A beautiful yet very poor woman is invited to a glamorous event and borrows a gleaming necklace from her rich friend. As fate would have it, the necklace gets lost during the evening. The beautiful yet very poor woman spends the next several years of her life working herself to the bone to save enough to replace the genuine and costly piece for her friend. Once she is worn down, bedraggled and ragged after working so hard to finally buy a genuine replacement, her friend tells her a secret. The necklace had been a fake.
Related posts
About Taxco Silver JewelryWhen William Spratling made his first piece of jewelry in Taxco, Mexico in the 1930s, he couldn't have dreamed that he was beginning a cultural phenomenon that would revi...
About Mardi Gras CostumesCelebrate Mardi Gras in style with a festive costume. While some Mardi Gras revelers enjoy gaudy and revealing costumes, others opt for elaborate costumes and accessories....
Freshwater plants provide nutrition to other aquatic life.A variety of freshwater plants is found all across the world. Freshwater habitats include ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, bogs, swamps and...
Make simple or elaborate costumes.Costume design and sewing requires you to learn how to do a variety of stitches, how to make patterns, and choose the best fabrics. You will also need to learn ho...
Bangles, earrings, brooches and pendants were common in ancient Egypt.In ancient Egypt, men and women wore elaborate pieces with jewelry to protect themselves from evil and as adornments. Accordin...