What does the concept of costume jewelry include?

What types of jewelry are there? Detailed classification

• 24.07.2019
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Throughout the history of costume jewelry, these decorations have not lost their relevance. In ancient times, people carried animal teeth and all kinds of stones suspended on strings. Later, costume jewelry took the form of various kinds of colored glass and stones. Next came bracelets, earrings and necklaces made of precious metals. The range of accessories today is so wide that you can choose the right option for virtually any outfit and look. These are thousands of colors, shapes, sizes and styles that can satisfy the needs of even the most picky fashionista.

All jewelry can be divided into several groups depending on the materials of manufacture, artistic style and purpose. We will talk further about what types of costume jewelry there are and what their distinctive features are.

According to manufacturing materials

Costume jewelry can include precious and semi-precious stones, gold, silver, platinum, rhodium and many other materials and accessories. Based on what the jewelry is covered with and what additional decorative elements are used to decorate it, we can distinguish the following types of jewelry:

• Elite. These are accessories replica jewelry and made using gold and silver plating. They can be produced either by individual craftsmen or by large fashion houses such as Chanel, Gucci, Dior, etc. They belong to the highest price group, but are still considered inexpensive jewelry compared to real jewelry. At the same time, they perfectly imitate expensive coatings and precious stones;
• Jewelry. The main feature is that as part of Only high-quality imitations of precious stones are used, as well as gold and silver of the highest standard for sputtering. Often there are various types of enamels, which, in combination with an elegant frame, give the accessories a look that is in no way inferior to products from jewelry stores;
• Souvenir. Group of gift decorations, based style of which there is always some kind of surprise. For example, an opening medallion on a chain, a bracelet with a hiding place, etc. How clothing accessories they are rarely used. More suitable as a nice gift for a loved one;
• Handmade. Products made by hand from leather, beads, beads, glass, threads, plastic elements, wire, etc. They always have a unique author’s style that imbues the image with creativity and extravagance.

If you choose the right accessories, each of the above groups can become the central part of your outfit. The main thing is to take into account the general style of clothing and the occasion for which you are wearing sparkles.

Classification by style and purpose

When choosing jewelry, the artistic style plays an important role. It is clear that they are all very beautiful and sophisticated, but according to a number of design features they can be divided into several large groups:

1. Art Deco. The founder of this trend is Coco Chanel herself, who became the trendsetter of the last century. The basic concepts inherent in the Art Deco style are maximum luxury and chic. Extravagant jewelry of non-standard shapes, made in bold colors – this is what will allow you to show off your beauty at any outrageous event. The most striking representatives of this category of trinkets are wide bracelets, cocktail rings, earrings with long pendants, etc.;
2. Vintage. Another style that appeared with the light hand of Coco Chanel at a time when a tax on jewelry was introduced in France. Designers, driven into rigid boundaries, nevertheless found a way out of the situation and began to create accessories by connecting different parts of chains, stones of different colors, shapes and sizes, and improvised materials. The result was absolutely unique and inimitable designs, which are now extremely popular all over the world;
3. Retro. Everything is simple here. The “retro” style follows fashion trends that were relevant 50 or more years ago. To recreate ancient designs, natural metals, stones, alloys and scrap materials are used, from bronze to bird feathers and enamel;
4. Art Nouveau. A real treasure trove of bright colors, plant and animal patterns. How are these decorations different from others? Picturesqueness, abundance of various forms and images of animals, birds and insects;
5. Glamour. A popular style in narrow circles, which is characterized by an abundance of rhinestones, shiny glass inserts and stones. The brighter the accessory shines, the more glamorous it is considered. An ideal choice for social gatherings where shocking behavior is encouraged.

There are also types of jewelry depending on their purpose:

• Casual. The most extensive group, designed for everyday walks, shopping, studying, etc. There are no scatterings of precious stones or their imitation, no flashy feathers, Swarovski crystals or other “flashy” elements. The main task of jewelry is to emphasize the femininity of its owner and create a soft accent in the image;
• Office. As a rule, the office always has its own unspoken dress code, which must be adhered to if you do not want to distract your colleagues from work and incur anger from your superiors. Moreover, this dress code applies equally to both clothing and accessories. They should be as restrained and concise as possible. Jewelry for the office can have different prices, it can be glamorous, extravagant, exotic, but always to a certain limit;
• Evening. There will no longer be any strict boundaries or restrictions. Evening accessories simply cannot be too bright. It all depends on the specific outfit, mood and nature of the celebration. So, jewelry for a date will be very different from club models. In the first case, sophistication and sophistication are important, in the second – colorful colors and shockingness;
• Wedding. The last group of jewelry, the main distinguishing feature of which is impeccability in everything, from design to shape. All attention on this day will be focused on the bride, and she should look perfect. The design is dominated by real precious stones or their high-quality imitation, as well as natural coatings of gold, silver and platinum.

The modern selection of costume jewelry is amazing. And to look great in any situation, you don’t even need to follow the latest news from the fashion world. It is enough to decide on the occasion, preferred style and materials of manufacture. Everything else is a matter of technique!

The word “costume jewelry” comes from the French bijouterie, which means trade in jewelry. Unlike jewelry, these decorations are made from inexpensive materials, but this does not mean that they should be less valuable or considered too small for the sophisticated public. Quite the contrary.

Bijouterie goes well with all outfits – both everyday and evening. When used correctly, these jewelry enliven images and look no less respectable than jewelry.

Origin of costume jewelry

As a result of archaeological excavations, it was proven that the first jewelry was worn by ancient peoples: the Mayans, Aztecs, Sumerians and Babylonians. Beads made from animal teeth and shells were worn by men to demonstrate their status to others, since wearing such items had to be earned. At that time, decorations had an exclusively sacred character and acted as amulets, talismans and amulets. People did not attach any importance to their aesthetic side.

In ancient Egypt, men wore rings to use as a seal. In addition, these products emphasized that their owners belonged to high society. Over time, people realized that rings earrings and beads can be decoration. Since then, women began to wear them.

Mono earring Dahlia Gold Python XS

Mono earring Dahlia Gold Python XS

Mono earring Dalia Platinum Aqua XS

Mono earring Dalia Platinum Aqua XS

In the heyday of luxury, people began to give preference to precious stones and metals. Accessories for wealthy people were made only from these materials. During the Renaissance, craftsmen began to replace gold with copper, and natural stones with artificial ones, while the cost of these products was several times lower. This was done for citizens with average incomes, as well as to provide protection for expensive jewelry: when ordering an option made from expensive materials, rich people simultaneously purchased a copy of them. Thus, the production of costume jewelry has become a profitable business.

Until the beginning of the twentieth century, costume jewelry was perceived as second-rate jewelry. Coco Chanel helped change this attitude, thanks to whom products of this type began to be treated as fashionable and luxurious. The style setter emphasized her business suits with inexpensive but eye-catching elements. Jewelry from Coco did not seek to create the appearance of luxury or pass itself off as original. Their remarkableness lay in the ideal combination of textures, surfaces and decorative elements.

Production development

In the middle of the twentieth century, costume jewelry managed to fully gain a foothold on the world stage. During this period, society changed traditions and foundations, and more and more people preferred “ignoble” materials in an effort to complement their outfit with elegant elements. The transition of costume jewelry from the category of fakes to an independent type of jewelry took place thanks to the successful entrepreneur Daniel Swarovski. They were presented with imitation precious stones, which represent an original and legitimate form of decoration. From this moment on, products characteristic of people of the lower class acquired significance and began to symbolize the material well-being of their owners.

Today, creating jewelry is a troublesome and painstaking process, similar to jewelry work.

Principles of classification

Modern jewelry is divided into several types:

1. Classic – products imitate natural jewelry. When done well, it is difficult to distinguish them from the originals. As a rule, classic jewelry is distinguished by its high cost and long service life.
2. Avant-garde – original and unique products created with your own hands. Semi-precious stones, beads and threads are used to make them.
3. Ethnic – products that embody the traditional styles of different countries. Such jewelry is not only worn as decoration, but also used at home as a decorative element.

There are several types of jewelry, differing in quality:

• I – items made from the cheapest and most primitive materials (most often improvised);
• II – relatively high-quality and stylish jewelry, most often created by hand;
• III – designer products made from shells, wood, stones, beads and other materials, due to their exclusivity, have a fairly high cost;
• IV – expensive jewelry, often covered with gold or silver, and decorated with semi-precious stones. Without the help of a professional, such models are almost impossible to distinguish from natural ones.

Depending on the purpose, jewelry is classified as follows:

1. Casual – ordinary accessories, comfortable for daily wear.
2. Office – decorations made in a restrained style.
3. Evening – massive elements that attract attention. Such products are ideally combined with sophisticated and formal outfits.
4. Wedding – jewelry characterized by absolute impeccability, expressed in everything: quality of execution, design and style.

Materials used

To make jewelry, plastic, transparent/colored glass, high-tech ceramics, metals and alloys made from them.