Top Tips For Buying Quality Costume Jewellery

Nearly every woman has a collection of costume jewellery. Most of her pieces are intended for everyday wear, and today costume jewellery is so well made it rivals its authentic counterparts.

It's also a lot less expensive to build a nice costume jewellery collection. Some people collect costume jewellery as a hobby, while others seek it out just for the fun of wearing something with sparkle and glitz.

First, look for vintage costume jewellery at estate sales, yard sales, rummage sales, consignment or resale shops and better quality thrift stores. Vintage costume jewellery is more likely to have imitation stones of a quality no longer found. Brand-new costume jewellery can be purchased in department stores, boutiques, discount stores, home parties, or on the Internet.

Learn how to spot real treasures in pre-owned costume jewellery by becoming familiar with good pieces. A local antique or jewelry store specializing in quality costume jewellery is a good place to do some research. Let them know what you're doing, and they may buy some of your "finds" in the future.

When considering a piece of costume jewellery, test the stability and strength of the prongs in the stone setting. Judge how well the stones sparkle. Check for a smooth overlay of gold or silver on top of a less expensive base metal. Heft the costume jewellery in your hand. Heavier pieces are typically of better quality and will last longer.

If buying costume jewellery for someone else, consider his or her personal style. Does she like ethnic or Bohemian costume jewellery? Does she prefer to wear brooches with lots of stones? How about earrings: pierce or clip-on? What sizes of costume jewellery will look proportionately best on her (tall or short, slender or buxom)?

Costume jewellery is made from nearly any material, in every conceivable color, so it's easy to match any hue or shade in your closet. If you're collecting costume jewellery, get to know the different styles or eras. For instance, the first form of plastic called Bakelite was a very popular component of costume jewellery in the late 1940s and 1950s. Could you spot real Bakelite if you came across it? What about a lovely brooch from the Art Deco era of the 1920s through the 1940s, known for its strong geometric shapes done in all the colors of the rainbow.

There are different types of costume jewellery that will compliment any outfit or look. For instance, for a free spirit type look, try plated leather bracelets or hand made jewellery. A good look whilst on the beach is to wear shell jewellery. If you are out on the town, the only thing to go for is diamante and for a touch of class and sophisication try pearls. Alternatively you can pick out jewellery that matches with a color in your outfit. For instance a blue dress with a white bag and shoes looks great with chunky white earrings. Or choose a different color that will compliment your outfit such as a pale green jacket with a dark green necklace.

The thrill of finding a quality piece of costume jewellery for collecting or wearing is worth putting in study time to learn how to select and care for it.

Costume Jewellery

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