Jewelry 101 - Fine Jewelry VS Fashion Jewelry

 Jewelry is a personal thing - and Beauty is in the eye of the Beholder.  There are many reasons why people have a collection of jewelry that is usually a mixture of Fashion Jewelry and Fine Jewelry....but in todays world - there are some you may not have thought of.

Fine Jewelry is usually defined by these parameters:

Genuine Diamonds and/or Gemstones set in real Gold, Silver or Platinum

These are the pieces of jewelry that get passed down from Mother to Daughter and Granddaughter or Son and Grandson  Or

That special Engagement or Wedding Ring or Anniversary jewelry - pieces that last a lifetime and continue for generations.

In 2013 - Fashion Jewelry has become a large part of a woman's jewelry box, and there are interesting reasons for this.

Because of the continuing increase in price of the top 3 precious metals - Gold, Silver and Platinum - Jewelry Designers and Manufacturers are moving towards a more cost effective solution - 

Knowing that the average jewelry-buying customer can no longer spend the money for Gold - Stainless Steel Jewelry has hit the market in a big way - and its gorgeous! 

Also, new processes for plating silver with gold have come a long way - no longer do you have to worry about the gold "wearing off" over time - the new techniques make that virtually impossible - instead of just being bathed or dipped in Gold - lasers are used to Ion - bond the precious metals together - the molecular structure changes and the two metals become part of each other - not just gold sitting on top of silver - with the new ION bonding processes - they become part of each other forever.

Many designers have opted to showcase genuine Diamonds and Gemstones in Stainless Steel and Bonded Gold/Silver to make it affordable to the average customer

Another important reason for wearing Fashion jewelry on a daily basis - is the risk factor.

The world we live in today can, sadly, be a dangerous place. Many people opt to wear Fashion Jewelry instead of Fine jewelry because if it is lost or stolen - it is easier to "let go of" and replace..... Lets face it - if you were robbed - and they got your $100.00 fashion ring instead of your $2,000+ wedding ring - 

Many Women (and Men, as well), who travel for their job - will most often travel with Fashion jewelry - that is to say - they don't travel all over the place wearing their FINE jewelry - it simply is not smart to do these days.

Here are some basic tips:

1). If you travel for your job - don't wear FINE jewelry - it calls attention to you that you may not want

 

2).  When staying in a hotel, NEVER leave FINE jewelry in your room - it can "go missing" in the blink of an eye. Use the Hotel safe if you must bring valuables (not the room safe)  I used to work in a hotel - there is a pass key that opens any room safe!

 

3).  Same for going on a cruise - these days with the "Super-Ships" that literally accomodate 3,000 - 5,000 passengers and crew - NEVER leave FINE jewelry unattended - and don't leave it in your luggage -

They lose your bag - you've lost  your jewelry!!

And while on a cruise - be careful of buying "FINE" jewelry in Ports of Call - They have you at a distinct disadvantage - they can sell you ANYTHING they want to  - they can call it FINE jewelry - and once you get back on the ship or get home and show it to a jeweler - you may find out that it is just "junk"  - and you are stuck with it! 

They know this - its how they get away with it!! The tourist is back on the ship and gone from their lives - they know you wont come back and ask for your money back!!

So my friends....BUY that Fashion Jewelry - enjoy it - wear it everyday and have fun!!

BUT if you travel alot -  leave you FINE jewelry at home - wear it in places you love to as usual - but don't take chances that are un-necassary with your Fine Jewelry or your life -

This is not the 1960's that I grew up in!! It's a scary world out there!

 

 

 

 

http://stores.ebay.com/JEWELRY-AND-GIFTS-BY-ALICE-AND-ANN