| Costume jewelry is proof that all that glitters | | | | and even yard sales for great deals on costume |
| may not be gold. It's made from less valuable | | | | pieces. |
| materials like plastic, glass, base metal and man | | | | Like all jewelry, costume pieces should be cared |
| made stones instead of gems or precious metals. | | | | for to look its best. Fortunately, it only takes a |
| However, that doesn't mean that costume | | | | little work to keep your costume jewelry looking |
| jewelry doesn't have its uses. It's less costly, but | | | | great. After you use it, wipe your jewelry off |
| can look just as good as many real pieces. If you | | | | with a soft cloth. That will keep sweat from |
| don't want to spend a lot on costly precious | | | | oxidizing the metal. Keep it in a velvet box or |
| jewelry that might get damaged or broken, | | | | cloth pouch to keep individual pieces from tangling |
| costume jewelry can help you make a fun fashion | | | | or reacting with one another. |
| statement. | | | | Don't clean your costume jewelry with strong |
| Many costume jewelry pieces include a little | | | | chemicals, though. They can react with the stones |
| precious metal as plating. For instance, the main | | | | and glues, changing colors or causing your jewelry |
| piece may be brass or zinc, and gold or silver will | | | | to come apart. Also, never spray perfume or hair |
| be plated on top, giving the piece the look of | | | | spray onto your pieces. Use them before putting |
| precious metal. Crystal is used in place of precious, | | | | on jewelry. This will protect the finish. Periodically, |
| faceted gems, and semi precious stones may also | | | | you may have to take costume pieces to a |
| be used. Some costume jewelry makes use of | | | | jewelry shop to have it polished, replated, or to |
| bone or plastic to simulate ivory. The least | | | | have a stone replaced. |
| expensive types are heavily composed of plastics. | | | | If you're thinking about getting some new |
| Costume jewelry comes in just about every | | | | jewelry, don't rule out costume jewelry as an |
| style, and can be found as pendants, bracelets, | | | | option. Just because it's not the real thing doesn't |
| rings, earrings and more. | | | | mean that it can't make a bold fashion statement. |
| You can purchase these pieces in a number of | | | | The important thing is to admit your costume |
| different places, depending on what you're looking | | | | jewelry isn't precious. Wear it boldly, and without |
| for. New jewelry can be found in department | | | | pretense, and me sure to take good care of it. |
| stores or lower end jewelry stores. If you're | | | | The right maintenance and careful choice of |
| interested in something inexpensive or vintage, | | | | pieces will help you put together a great look for |
| check resale shops, Ebay.com, local flea markets | | | | less. |