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20 Costume Jewellery Terms Defined

Costume jewllery has always been a popular way of looking great at low cost. Instead of diamonds and rubies, other gemstones are used (amethyst, opal, etc.) as well as rhinestones. There are certain styles and processes, as well as both natural and manmade gemstones, that are associated with costume jewellery. To help you, here are 20 costume jewellery terms defined.

Aurora Borealis

During the 1950s the Swarovski Company introduced a gleaming aurora borealis coating to crystals to make them more radiant and increase their appeal. This process was meant to help stimulate the effect of the Northern lights, or the Aurora Borealis. In 1955 the process was refined by Swarovski and then implemented with certain Christian Dior designs, making the stones famous almost overnight as the height of costume jewellery.

Birthstone

Birthstones are gemstones related to specific months of the year. They can be either precious or semiprecious stones. Some people believe that the stones have healing powers and that those powers can be heightened during the birth month when they are worn at that time. The birthstones for January through December are garnet, amethyst, aquamarine, diamond, emerald, pearl, ruby, peridot, sapphire, opal, topaz and turquoise, respectively.

Coral

Coral makes beautiful jewellery that can be worn at any occasion. It comes in all different colors, styles and shapes. Coral is actually made from calcified skeletons of sea creatures. This is what occurs when the sea creatures die and then grow into formations that resemble the branches of tree. This is a popular jewellery for children and women.

Dog Collar

This type of jewellery has been popular since the 17th century and was worn by the famous courtesans and sometimes had a bad reputation. However, it remained a popular piece of jewellery and women began to wear them very often. They are more commonly known today as chokers.

Emerald

Emeralds are very popular as costume jewellery. The brilliance of the green color is very alluring to the people that desire them. It is also the birthstone for those who were born in May. Emeralds have been described as the symbol of eternal hope, the arrival of spring and the symbol of nature, as well.

Freshwater pearl

Freshwater pearls have a unique look to them. Although they are in the pearl family, they don't look much like saltwater pearls at all. Saltwater pearls are perfectly round and freshwater pearls are not. However, freshwater pearls are very distinguished in shape and they come in different natural colors. They also tend to be much less expensive than saltwater pearls. They are an excellent choice for a little girl who is beginning to wear jewellery for the first time.

Gemstones

Gemstones can be precious or semiprecious stones, and they come on a rainbow of colors. These attractive stones can be used to create works of art. In the 19th century, engraved gems and stone carvings were used in the creation of beautiful goblets and other luxury items.

Hair jewellery

Jewellery for the hair has been a tradition for women since the 17th century. Women wear hair jewellery for its beauty, brilliance and sparkle. It is also very popular for women to wear hair jewellery for their wedding day as it makes for a very beautiful addition to the gown and veil.

Iridium

This is a rare metal that is famed for being the least tarnished metal that there is. It is starting to become more popular with couples as an engagement ring choice.

Jump ring

These are connectors that can be used to create necklaces and bracelets. They are surprisingly easy to make and come in triangle, square, hexagon and oval shapes, as well. They can also be used to make earrings and are popular with teenage girls.

Lucite

Lucite is a transparent or translucent plastic that is popular in jewellery making. Lucite beads are one of the most popular types of beads for jewellery and are also referred to as vintage beads.

Marquise

This is a popular stone for rings and the shape of them makes them attractive as well.

Navette
A gemstone which is cut as a marquise to a fine point and then clasped together at each point.

Open work
A technique for creating a pattern by inserting openings with a jeweler's saw. This is how many pieces of jewellery are made and cut.

Pearl
A pearl is one of the most popular pieces of costume jewellery there is. The can be purchased as real ones or fake costume pearls. They come in all different lengths, colors and styles. You can have a pearl ring, necklace or bracelet. Pearls are a very feminine stone, have been around for centuries, and are seen as a precious and valuable stone by many cultures. They are seen as an object of beauty and can be very rare and at times very valuable.

Rhinestone
This stone is created by rock crystal, acrylic or glass. The are at times mistaken for diamonds and this makes them very appealing for costume jewellery.

Sapphire
This gem is a popular stone to wear because of its hue. It can be colorless but also comes in shades of gray, black, orange and pink.

Turquoise
This blue-green stone is rare and valuable and when made in finer grades has been a prized gem. It has been around for thousands of years due to its rare hue.Vermeil
This is a sterling silver jewellery that is covered with a plated gold covering. This jewellery has a long lifespan and is a good piece to add to a costume jewellery collection.

Zircon
Zircon is what cubic zirconium comes from. It is usually clear in color and is much less expensive than diamonds, so it can almost suit any budget. Their looks are so close to a diamond in appearance that at times it takes a true expert to tell them apart.

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