| Many jewelry lovers have an appreciation for | | | | variety of colors and styles. Unlike real precious |
| both costume jewelry and real jewelry for | | | | stones like rubies, emeralds, sapphires, etc. |
| different reasons. While real jewelry is considered | | | | synthetic stones in costume jewelry which are |
| a valuable asset, a lifetime investment, costume | | | | often composed of cubic zirconia, rhinestone, |
| jewelry also has its advantages which make it the | | | | synthetic crystals, or glass can be produced in |
| jewelry of choice for millions of women. It | | | | just about any color you can imagine. While typical |
| continues to gain popularity even in these tough | | | | costume jewelry usually consists of metal alloys |
| economic times for 3 primary reasons: price, | | | | coated with precious metals like gold, silver, |
| variety, and versatility. | | | | rhodium, or platinum, it can also be made from |
| Price: Affordability is probably the most apparent | | | | other materials like nylon fiber, plastic acrylic or |
| and biggest advantage of costume jewelry. Why | | | | natural materials like wood, shell, or stones. These |
| spend hundreds or thousands of dollars or more | | | | materials allow for an even broader variety of |
| on a single diamond ring or gold necklace when | | | | style choices. |
| you can purchase several pieces for the same | | | | Versatility: Costume jewelry can be worn at just |
| price thus getting more for your dollar. A well | | | | about any event or occasion from night clubs to |
| constructed cz ring, bracelet, or necklace can | | | | formal parties to informal gatherings. A necklace |
| have the beauty and sparkle of its real diamond | | | | or bracelet made of natural stone or shell at a |
| counterpart for a fraction of the cost. And with | | | | family reunion is quite appropriate whereas real |
| proper handling and care it can last for several | | | | gold jewelry might come across as a little too |
| years. Costume jewelry with layered gold or silver | | | | "fancy". On the other hand a big, bold sparkling cz |
| or an overlay of precious metals tend to be the | | | | necklace and earring set can accentuate your |
| most durable and therefore longer lasting. Plated | | | | formal attire and make you stand out in a crowd, |
| items tend to fade and tarnish more easily but | | | | in a good way that is. |
| can be re-plated. Affordability also allows us to | | | | Like costume jewelry, real jewelry has obvious |
| experiment with a large variety of themes, colors, | | | | advantages and I would highly recommend owning |
| and styles to match or taste, wardrobe, mood, | | | | some pieces of real jewelry if your budget allows. |
| even our hobbies and interests. This brings me to | | | | But when it comes to price, variety and versatility |
| the second benefit of costume jewelry: variety. | | | | costume jewelry is unmatched. |
| Variety: Costume jewelry offers an unparalleled | | | | |