I own and collect every kind and type of jewelry made and I love it all. I collect new costume, designer costume, cheap customer, vintage costume, high end collector costume, antique costume, out and out fake stuff made to look like the real thing, along with fine jewelry, vintage fine jewelry and antique fine jewelry. Then there are my handmade pieces that are new that don't fit into any of the other categories easily. My faux and costume pieces (there is a difference in my opinion) make me feel just as beautiful as my fine jewelry. Many costume pieces especially designer costume, are more expensive than most fine jewelry. A lot of fine jewelry is really just junk that will go out of style and be worth no more than melt value, whereas some costume pieces are exquisitely made heirloom quality treasures. So I reject the snobbery associated with fine jewelry. Wear what makes you feel beautiful.
Please share your costume jewelry!
- Thread starter maryg1
- Start date
I agree. I own emerald, pearls and opals and I wouldn't dream of showering, sleeping, cleaning, vacuuming, exercising, cooking or even taking in the groceries in any of them. Actually I won't do any of those things wearing any of my jewelry, except my gold band wedding ring which I never remove.
The first thing I do when I come in the house is take off all my jewelry. The last thing I do before I leave is put on my jewelry. Wearing it around the house, scratches up your pieces and ruins them.
My mother used to wear her engagement ring 24/7 and when I was a little girl I heard her screaming for me to come into the bathroom. I opened the door and my mother was standing there wearing just a towel and she was holding out her left hand and I saw the ugliest thing I could imagine, four empty prongs. She was hysterical lamenting that there was no use as she had cleaned the bathtub with Ajax and rinsed it out. I knelt down and instantly I saw her one carat diamond (that was back when no one had a full carat diamond) sparkling in the gritty tub. I picked it up and handed it to her. Knowing what I know now, the Ajax acted as a lubricant and just slipped the stone from the setting. The same thing can happen if you garden in your jewelry. The soil just rubs the stones right out of the setting.
So I am very careful with all my jewelry not just the costume pieces that might tarnish.
You have such beautiful hands! The rose gold bracelet with the gypsy set stones looks like fine jewelry. It is beautiful either way. All your pieces are lovely. The dragon pendant necklace looks like fine jewelry too. The enamel bracelet reminds me of Les Nereides pieces. I have a few of their earrings and necklaces too. I want a bracelet but I have been waiting for just the right piece. I love to wear the necklaces layered with fine jewelry. If I think a fine piece is too dressy, I will layer it with my Les Nereides pieces and it really helps make the fine pieces look more fun. I think you might like Michal Negrin pieces as well. I love them and get more compliments on my Negrin pieces than any other jewelry I wear except my 8mm CZ earrings. Those get a lot of compliments too. You can trust the Negrin pieces on eBay, but sadly nearly all or maybe all the Les Nereides on eBay is fake. Thank you for sharing your pieces. I would love to do it too if I could figure out how to air drop photos from my phone to my computer.
Thank you!
I do like Michal Negrin pieces. It's been awhile, but I loved visiting the boutique in Las Vegas before it closed whenever I was there. The pieces are so distinct and romantic.
Another fashion jewelry designer I love is Holly Yashi. She uses niobium to produce uniquely colored pieces.
