The basic difference between fashion jewelry and fine jewellery comes down to the kind of materials used to make Jewellery. One needs to figure out the quality and material of the gemstones or metals to determine whether it is considered to be a piece of fashion jewellery or a fine jewellery. Here, we will walk you through the definition set by the experts regarding the quality and material of fashion jewellery or fine jewellery. This is to ensure that you are mindful of buying the right quality of jewelry when shopping for new additions to your jewelry collection.

Fashion Jewellery

Fashion jewellery which is also known as costume jewellery is usually made with simulated stones and base metals. These stone fragments are commonly made of copper, brass, or aluminum, which are prone to bending and tarnishing. Jewellery that is made entirely out of textiles, leather, base metal alloys, or even metals plated with gold or silver also falls under the fashion jewellery category. Simulated stones include Swarovski crystals, cubic zirconia, and plastic stones. 

Some jewellery enthusiasts will also insist upon a middle category that is being called semi-fine. This category of jewellery is usually jewellery that is made with gold vermeil or is gold-filled. “Semi-fine” jewellery is also made of real gemstones like morganite and opals that are much more affordable than precious metals. These real gemstones material are treated with chemicals or heat in a lab in order to appear more flawless and clearer while jewelry making. 

The “semi-fine” jewellery category is probably more useful for the jewellery makers in order to compartmentalize their jewellery more accurately. Because of the use of base metals in the jewellery, “semi-fine” jewellery is still considered fashion jewellery in the eyes of an expert jewellery maker. Obviously, the materials are the deciding factor behind whether the jewellery is considered being fashion jewellery or fine jewellery.  

The fashion jewellery do not have much of a shelf life as fashion jewelry is made up of materials that are prone to tarnishing or cracking. Furthermore, they are difficult to repair after they have been broken because the amount of heat needed to weld the brass or copper parts back together will literally blacken the gold or silver plating. Luckily, fashion jewelry comes at a much lower price than fine jewelry does. Thus, making it extremely affordable. 

Pros and Cons of Fashion Jewellery

Pros: 

• The fashion jewellery is priced cheaply because it is typically made up of inexpensive materials. 

• One can choose from an endless variety of fashion jewellery to wear. 

• They are beautiful jewellery pieces that you can get at a small fraction of the price. 

• They are common jewellery in society which means they can fit into anyone’s budget. 

• They tend to last longer when they are plated with precious metals. 

Cons: 

• They mostly don’t last long. 

• They wear off eventually. 

Fine Jewellery: 

Fine jewellery is the jewellery made up of solid gold, platinum, sterling silver or other precious metals. This kind of jewellery also often uses some genuine precious gemstones like rubies, real diamonds, sapphires etc. Fine jewellery is so much stronger than fashion jewellery and it doesn’t tarnish with proper care and storage because fine jewellery is entirely made of solid precious metals and precious gemstones. In addition to this, fine jewellery that is broken can be easily repaired. Fine jewellery is slightly more expensive than fashion jewellery but it is totally worth the cost because of its longevity. 

Pros and Cons of Fine Jewellery

Pros: 

• Fine jewelry is worth an investment.

• They are mostly long lasting because of the materials they are made up of.

• Fine jewellery are considered to give someone status in society.

• They are mostly not mass produced, so you tend to get one of a kind jewellery. 

Cons: 

• They are mostly expensive and out of reach of many people’s budget. 

Read on for More on the Distinction Between Fashion Jewellery and Fine Jewellery

• The basic difference between them both is that fine jewelry such as your gold statement necklaces or diamond earrings is more valuable, simply because of the price and worth of the diamonds and gold used. On the other hand, fashion jewellery is made up of lesser quality material or metal. Sometimes, the fashion jewellery is even made up of gold or silver plating. Even though some gemstones are used as embellishments, the fact remains the same that this kind of jewellery is called costume jewellery or fashion jewelry. 

• In some cases, the fashion jewelry may have genuine gold or silver platings but still have artificial stones set on them. Even though the jewellery has real gold involved in it, it is still considered to be costume jewellery because of its artificial stones. 

• One of the major differences between fashion jewellery and fine jewelry lies in the cost of them. If you go to any of the diamond jewellery shops, or even a small silver or gold shop, you will notice that the cost of fashion and fine jewellery is vastly different.

• Fine jewellery is durable and has even become antique or vintage jewellery over the decades. On the other hand, fashion jewelry is something you don’t think about too much. Fine jewellery is usually forever while fashion jewellery is more of a fancy addition to your jewellery collection. 

• You could wear your fashion jewellery with your daily wear to work or to some less formal events or a night out with your friends and family. On the other hand, fine jewellery is exceptionally special and you would wear it only on some special occasions like an engagement or an anniversary or a wedding. If you are interested in buying any of the fine jewellery, you should visit a jewellery store near you and buy jewellery that you will cherish for a lifetime. 

• Fine jewellery always comes with certifications from a world-renowned lab. You can acquire a top-quality necklace or even a pair of earrings when you ensure that the precious metals used are certified by a leading lab. On the other hand, there is no such guarantee involved in fashion jewellery. If you have a piece of gold or a diamond jewellery tarnished or broken, you could always get it fixed. But the chances of getting a fashion jewellery fixed is very few.

These were some of the prominent differences between fashion jewellery and fine jewellery. Before buying jewellery next time, keep in mind the above-given information. This insight would surely help you in making the right choice for your jewellery collection. 

How Can JD Institute Help You with Jewellery Designing? 

We at JD Institute offer diploma courses in fine jewelry design. We make sure you learn the ropes of jewellery designing by taking a jewellery design course. Diploma in fine jewellery design has a lot to offer in terms of not just skills but also great career opportunities.

You can be a great jewellery designer after pursuing a course in fine jewellery design. The curriculum at JD Institute is designed in a way that offers you a handful of industry insights that will help you in the long run.