Jessica’s Jools

We’ve all felt the pinch of everything in our economy from housing, gas, groceries, loss of jobs to mention a few. The jewelry industry has been hit exceptionally HARD. It’s been a question of do you want to pay for a mortgage, car payment, trade-in your car for cash for clunkers program or buy a piece of jewelry? Let’s see?….hmm…bet it’s not the jewelry that high on the list!

My sympathies, empathies and heart are with those who have lost their jobs. My hope for those out of a job is that things will be better with a new position that pays well and has benefits in short order. I was out of work for over 3 months due to a well known individual that embezzled billions of dollars. The ripple effect of his scheme is huge and stretches too far. Three months out of a job is nothing in comparison to some but it was very difficult.

With everything in the economy, gold and platinum at current levels, how can anyone afford any jewelry? Well, yes you can. There are options: Estate and Costume.

Look into buying estate jewelry. Estate is where it’s at. My blogs keep harping about this but it’s simply the best way. Estate is cheaper than buying something brand new. A piece of jewelry isn’t worth going into hock over in this economy.

Ebay or Craig’s List wouldn’t be on my top spots to look  for purchasing because there’s too much to go wrong there. There’s a lot of expertise that an individual would need in order to score a deal. Appraisals and Certificates can be faked. That’s where the experts come in to help you. But that adds to the price of the item and we’re trying to keep the price down for you. Ebay and Craig’s List ARE a great place to check pricing of SIMILAR items. You won’t find exactly the same thing but close is good.

You say you can’t afford the real thing either but want a little bling. Well, go Faux or Costume jewelry. I wear it mixed with my real stuff and everyone thinks, since I am a Graduate Gemologist, everything MUST be real. NOT!!! My choices in costume are fun. If you want to pull the mix off to appear real, your choices must “look like” they’re real.

As I write this article, I have a very large Anne Klein rose gold and white gold tone automatic skeleton watch that I changed out the white rubber band for a black men’s fake croc band from Wal-Mart, a rolled yellow gold bangle from early 1900’s and a pair of Middle-Eastern 22kt gold loop earrings. The watch gets so many ooh’s and ah’s and then I clue the individual in to the fact that they too can go Sam’s and buy one for $29.99 and Wal-Mart for the $7 cheap-o band. That gets some serious eyebrows raised sprinkled in with some strong “Really’s?”. The earrings, though, are real.

Rhinestones NEVER look real. They are fun though and have their place in costume jewelry. It’s great to add a little glitz and bling to your wardrobe. Rhinestones constantly cross my hands…some great and most not so great. The “not so great” can’t usually be refurbished or re-vamped.  When buying estate and antique just make sure to look and see if these items are set in sterling. Sterling can be sold for scrap. Look carefully. Don’t hesitate to snap up sterling at a garage sales either! And, don’t be afraid to bling up your pumps or flats with a big pair of clip earrings from your garage sale adventures.  Check the antique dealers, they sometimes have really great antique and vintage costume or faux pieces of jewelry.

When picking your new faux or paste pieces look for things that really look like the real thing. If it looks worn or the base metal is coming through, you might want to re-think the option and toss it in the garbage. Costume doesn’t need to be perfect but it does need to look good and be in good repair. If it turns a person green where it’s worn, get rid of it and find something new. It’s disposable anyway.

Last thought, if it’s a piece of costume jewelry that you really, really, really like and it’s worn through, out or just can’t go any farther, you can consider having a jeweler re-create the piece as a real piece of  jewelry. I have had quite a few things “knocked off” and made into the real thing from costume. There are limitations though and they’re too lengthy to get into in this blog. Your jeweler will be the best asset for you here, IF, it can be done.

Luckily there are options in this tight economy. Estate can always be a good deal and provide you with good real jewelry buys. Don’t be afraid to experiment with faux jewelry or costume jewelry. This can be a great way to expand your jewelry wardrobe without breaking your piggy-bank. So, faux-ward on!