What Is Fine Jewellery? What Is Fashion Jewellery? Does it Matter?
Most of us choose the jewellery that we buy and wear for its appearance. No matter its cost, whether it is fine or fashion jewellery, each piece should make us look better, finish off an outfit or reflect our mood.
Fashion jewellery is sometimes called costume jewellery, and the two terms are usually interchangeable.
The primary differences between fashion jewellery and fine jewellery are the quality of the materials used and manufacturing quality. Most fashion jewellery is relatively inexpensive and is not designed to last for a long time. On the other hand, most fine jewellery is made with high-quality precious metals and precious stones. Fine jewellery is usually designed and manufactured to last for many years, even if the piece itself is very delicate.
That makes it easy for us to decide what is what when it comes to the fine or fashion question.
Why Is Fashion Jewellery Different to Fine Jewellery?
Costume or fashion jewellery is almost always made using base metals such as aluminium, brass or copper. These metals can look good when they are new but will tarnish and bend within a short period. Where stones are used, they are usually simulants that may be designed to look like precious stones. Look out for plastic stones, cubic zirconia, and crystals such as those from Swarovski.
Some of these simulated gemstones can look particularly good. There is a lot of beautiful fashion jewellery that uses Swarovski crystals to excellent effect.
Some costume jewellery is not even made with metals and stones but with textiles or leather. Again, these can be attractive but are not fine jewellery no matter what they might cost to buy!
0.50ct Classic Claw Set Diamond Cross Pendant in 18K White Gold
£727.00
£1,237.00
This classic claw set diamond cross pendant is a truly beautiful piece that sparkles on the neckline. With half a carat and G/SI quality of sustainable diamonds in fine 18k white gold, it makes the perfect, ethical luxury gift for… read more
Some costume jewellery is designed to have the appearance of fine jewellery. In such cases, the metals might be plated with gold or silver to give the effect of more costly, higher quality jewellery but at a lower price.
What About Semi-Fine Jewellery?
Some manufacturers and jewellery enthusiasts enthuse about a middle ground between fashion and fine jewellery. Semi-fine jewellery will tend to have similar styles to fine jewellery but be manufactured with less costly materials. Instead of gold, silver, or platinum, the metals will be gold vermeil, silver with gold plating, or filled gold, which is mechanically fixed to a base metal or silver base.
Instead of diamonds, there will be morganite or opals or low-grade precious stones. These may have been treated to improve their appearance by removing flaws or enhancing their colour.
There is no fixed definition of what makes jewellery semi-fine. You can imagine this category forms a grey area between fashion and fine jewellery. However, the use of base metals in the jewellery makes it impossible to be considered fine jewellery, even if it well made and looks terrific.
Fashion Jewellery Has A Short Life
The materials used in fashion jewellery have only a short life. The metals used wear out, crack or tarnish. It is not usually practical to perform soldering repairs on fashion or semi-fine jewellery. The metals need such high heat to solder that the gold or silver coatings would be destroyed by permanent blackening.
On the other hand, as the name implies, fashion jewellery is usually made to follow seasonal trends at a low price. Most fashion or costume jewellery is destined to be worn only a few times before it is discarded and replaced by something new and fashionable.
Fine Jewellery - It’s The Real Thing!
If there is one thing that you can rely upon when you buy fine jewellery, everything you see is real and precious. The metals used will be gold, silver, platinum and sometimes titanium. Titanium is an oddity because it is not particularly rare. Still, it is valuable because it is extremely hard to obtain. Although silver is a precious metal, many jewellers do not offer it because it is very soft and easily damaged. It does not help silver's cause that it is not even costly and so is often used on cheap jewellery.
The gems you see in fine jewellery will be genuine. You will find real diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds.
0.30ct Diamond 0.45ct Emerald Five Stone Ring 18k White Gold
£1,097.00
£1,937.00
This stunning five stones ring is made of 18k white gold and set with 0.45ct of green emeralds and 0.30ct of diamonds held securely in a claw setting. The ring is made into a stylish and definitive design that is… read more
Because the materials used are exceptionally durable and also because they are valuable, jewellery manufacturers tend to design and manufacture their products to last for a long time. You can expect fine jewellery to be repairable when needed over their long lives.
Unlike fashion jewellery, you can expect to be able to repair fine jewellery without damage. Jewellery craftsmen can solder precious metals without damage.
The materials and manufacturing mean that fine jewellery can never be inexpensive in the way that costume or even semi-fine jewellery is. On the other hand, you can expect fine jewellery to last for a lifetime, or even several generations, making the high price something of an investment. You are paying for the materials and craftsmanship.
The Designer Jewellery Question Mark
Designer jewellery can be found in many jeweller’s shops but is it fine or fashion jewellery? The answer to the question comes, as with semi-fine jewellery, down to the materials used. Is the piece made with lower quality materials, or are the materials precious stones and precious metals?
Confusion can arise when jewellers sell designer brand jewellery at high prices because of the brand association but the materials used. Sometimes, the quality of manufacture is more appropriate for costume or fashion jewellery.
When you buy jewellery, check that the metals used are hallmarked. Check that diamonds, where used, have a grading certificate from a reputable diamond grading lab such as the GIA. Ensure that other stones are real and have value rather than being simulants or very low-grade genuine items.
£1,097.00
The focus of this stunning ring is to highlight the unique trio of blue sapphire and the diamonds trilogy set in 18k white gold. The unique design of this handcrafted ring makes it a favourite amongst our clients for its… read more1.12ct Blue Sapphire with 0.23ct Diamond Trilogy Ring 18k White Gold
£1,937.00
What Does All Diamond Say?
At All Diamond, we think that everyone should enjoy fine jewellery at a reasonable cost. We do not use silver in our UK hand-finished jewellery, our high-quality diamond jewellery will never be mistaken for costume jewellery. Most of our diamond jewellery carries a reputable diamond grading certificate. All our precious metals are UK hallmarked so you can be sure of what you are getting.
Check out our collections and see just what value you can find no matter what type of fine diamond jewellery you are looking for!
