Jewelry Types: Costume, Trendy, and Fine

You've learned how to wear jewelry to your advantage:  how to select the earrings and necklaces that bring out the best in your face, the rings and bracelets that flatter you hand's shape, the jewelry look that expresses your personality and fits with your lifestyle, and the colors of metals and gemstones that work best for your special complexion.

However, in trying to put this all together using the jewelry you own, have you discovered some gaps in your collection?  Are there some additions you'd like to make?

It's time to think about buying jewelry?  But approaching any jewelry counter without a solid understanding of the materials that make up that jewelry is like running a marathon without training for it - it's exhausting and you're a seldom winner.

It doesn't have to be that way.

Buying jewelry can be positive and exciting.  And often you may find bargains.  You can make wise, lasting investments and choose the right price to creatively stretch this season's wardrobe.  You can find those pieces you will wear often - jewelry that is so "right" it gives a lifetime of wearing pleasure.

But as with a marathon, to be a "winner" when it comes to buying jewelry, you have to train for it.  "Training" in this instance means learning about the materials that go into making jewelry.  Simply put, it's knowing what to look for as well as what to look out for in jewelry.  The materials that make up each piece will be key factors in its quality, value, price, and life span.

TYPES OF JEWELRY

As you read through SparklesForever Jewelry Education, you looked through your jewelry collection to find those pieces that work best for you, you probably came across a wide range of jewelry types.  Some costly, some inexpensive.  Pieces made from glass, pieces made from gemstones.  Antique pieces as well as new acquisitions.  All those pieces of jewelry fall into one of the three categories:  Costume jewelry, trendy jewelry, or fine jewelry.

Becoming familiar with each of these categories - their characteristics, cost and content - is the first step in learning to buy the right jewelry.  Each type has a distinct place in today's world of fashion, and each may have a significant role in your jewelry wardrobe.  Often a well-balanced, versatile, and working jewelry collection will contain some of all three types.  And, of course, mixing the three styles are acceptable, it can provide an exciting look of freshness and individuality.  When considering the roles and the importance of each type of jewelry to you, four criteria can be used:

1. Does it fit into your lifestyle?
2. Does it meet the needs of your work and social life?
3. Does it fir your budget?
4. How long do you want to keep it?