Fine Jewelry vs Fashion Jewelry
Fine jewelry or High-end jewelry can often be rivalled with its more of an affordable competitor, fashion or costume jewelry. Both of these can be a great way to show your unique style. In this article, we’ll do a comparison of fine jewelry vs fashion jewelry and make you decide what to wear.
What Is Fine Jewelry
Fine jewelry is expensive jewelry made of diamonds, gold, platinum or rhodium etc. It is normally bought and used for special occasions like engagements or weddings.
It focuses more on quality over quantity with high level of craftsmanship and skill being used. So, you can find classic and elegant designs that stand the test of time, like engagement rings, necklaces, bracelets, and watches that can be passed down through generations.
What is Fashion Jewelry
As the name suggests, fashion jewelry is made for buyers to stay updated with changing fashion trends.
In other words, fashion jewelry is for keeping your style matched with every outfit you wear but without breaking the bank. It uses more affordable materials like silver, copper, stainless steel, plastic or wood with a lot of customization options and designs available.
They are targeted at a wide demographic, particularly those who follow trends and want to wear jewelry daily.
Fine Jewelry vs Fashion Jewelry – Pros and Cons
Here is a detailed overview of fine jewelry vs fashion jewelry.
1. Price Range
There is a lot of difference between price range of both of these. Fine jewelry comes with a premium price tag where a simple ring with no stones can start from at least $150. And as you go with the weight of metal used or stones added, price adds up quickly.
Fashion jewelry can be really cheap compared to fine. You can easily find a ring made of stainless steel for as low as $30 with extra features like free delivery etc.
2. Longevity
Longevity can be a big problem associated to fashion jewelry. As they are made with trend-driven designs that change frequently with the seasons. They are often made for mass production to meet popular trends at a lower cost. A typical fashion jewelry item has a life time of around 6 to 9 months.
On the other hand, fine jewelry is expensive. That’s why they are aimed to stay longer with you. Buyers can also have an emotional connection with them as they were made for special occasions. They can remain useable for 20 to 30 years or even more than that.
3. Appearance
Both types of jewelries appear great. But with time, fashion jewelry can lose its glamour and shine if made with plated colors. But it does not happen always. For example, if you buy a bracelet made with stainless steel with no plating, it will stay with you for a long time. But if you buy it with gold or gold look alike plating, then it might not erode away after 1 to 2 months of regular usage. So, it is better to know what are you buying.
High-end’s appearance does not go with time. They are there to stay with you for a long time.
4. Availability of Designs and Materials
Design availability is one of plus points of fashion jewelry. You can find an unending collection of designs in different material like metals, plastic, rubber or even wood. Metals can include silver, brass, copper, or stainless steel. On top of it, semi-precious stones or synthetic stones like cubic zirconia, Swarovski crystals, or resin can also be found.
Fine jewelry can also have a lot of different designs. But the choice of metals and stones is not that big i.e. yellow gold, rose gold, platinum and rhodium etc.
In collection of stones, precious gemstones such as sapphires, emeralds, and rubies can also be available aside diamonds.
5. Keeping with Changing Trends
Fashion jewelry is aimed to target those who follow trends and want to stay updated with fashion but are not willing to spend a lot of money. They can be young people or ones who want to wear jewelry on daily basis. That’s why they are focused on bold, modern, and eye-catching aesthetics.
Fine jewelry focuses more on elegance and timeless pieces. So, it does not focus on keeping with changing trends.
6. Customization Options
Fashion jewelry is for masses with pre-built designs. As it is affordable, it is not worth for manufacturers to offer a lot of customization options. Yes, you can have a lot of pre-built items with different colors to styles and sizes to choose from, but finding a piece made specifically for your personal needs is near to impossible.
Fine jewelry comes with a wide range of customization options. Many jewelers even offer buyers to try their designing skills and make their personal designs from scratch.
7. Hypoallergenic Properties
Fashion jewelry might not be suitable for all. As it is made of copper or some other affordable metal, it can react with sensitive skins and show allergic reactions. It can also include turning your skin color to green or black. But one does not has to worry much as it color is just temporary and can be removed by simple washing.
Fine jewelry are commonly hypoallergenic. They do not react with skin. But occasionally, jewelry which contains nickel or lower purity gold such as 10k, can also react with skin. So it is better to not buy lower purity gold jewelry if you have a sensitive skin.
People with non-sensitive or normal skin can have no problems with both jewelry types.
What to Wear?
If you are someone who wants to keep updated with latest styles and trends with a variety of collection, then fashion jewelry is for you. You can easily have a lot of different varieties of jewelry items such as rings, necklaces, bracelets etc. for a much lower price.
Contrary, if you are not aiming to wear jewelry on everyday of your daily life routine, then fine jewelry is for you. Or if you have a sensitive skin or want to stay with premium metals, then fine jewelry is the option to go with.
Where to Buy?
Fine jewelry can be bought from any offline or online store. Multiple online reputable brands like KAY, David Yurman and Cartier sell fine jewelry with customer preferences and customization options.
Fashion jewelry is also readily available on my online stores. Our store, Jewel Jaunt also deals with it where you can check out the latest trendy jewelry.
Conclusion
Both fine jewelry and fashion jewelry can be a great way to expressing your looks and style. Each of these has their own unique features and properties for attracting different segments of customers. It is up to customers to decide what they actually want and what type is going to be best for their needs and expectations.