Dressing up can be a lot of fun and many times, it is one's choice in accessories that makes an outfit truly outstanding. Selecting the right style of necklace, or the perfect earring design and complementary bracelet can take a simple black dress to a classy ensemble in a snap. Some classic options for upscale couture are pendants, brooches and even simple and elegant rhinestone tiaras.
Metals such as gold and silver, and gemstones like rubies, emeralds, sapphires and diamonds have always been top choices when it comes to amazing jewelry and classic accessories. Not only are they all precious materials, but they have exceptional beauty and sparkle. The issue with these items is that because of their fine qualities, they tend to be very expensive which makes it difficult for many people to acquire them.
An affordable substitute for the pure metals is to choose plating, and there are several different types of artificial gems available, though their quality will vary greatly. The four most commonly used replacement mediums are acrylic plastic, gum paste, colored glass and lead crystal. Each of these options will have characteristics that will affect color, clarity and shine.
Artificial gems are known as rhinestones and they can be made from several different materials and in many sizes, colors and shapes. The more inexpensive products basically look like matte colored stones and are primarily used in making cheap jewelry for costumes and child's play. By contrast, the most expensive ones are so finely crafted that even some experts are fooled at first glance.
The lower end items are generally made from a gum paste or an acrylic plastic. They are inexpensive and great for use in costuming needs and for children's accessories. Unfortunately, since neither of these materials have any light refracting qualities, these gems may have a rather vibrant color but no real sparkle.
Those in the mid range are mostly constructed using glass as their base product. Color works well in this medium which produces gems with rich jewel tones that can produce quite a nice sparkle when paired with a proper cut and a metal or foil backing. These are the types that are often used for crafting projects and for regular everyday accessories like bracelets, charms, earrings and hair pins.
At the high end of the spectrum are the ultimate in fabricated jewels, featuring exceptional clarity and quality. These are made from fine lead crystal which can be colored and cut to such near perfection that even some experts have difficulty telling they are not real without special examinations. This type, especially those made by the Swarovski company, can be rather pricey because of their close replication of actual gems.
No matter what type of event is planned, what one's personal tastes are or the size of the available budget, there are quite a number of options when looking for fabricated gems. Many things such as hair accessories, jewelry, purses, clothing and more can be made fabulous by utilizing rhinestones. They create the beauty and mystique of fine stones like sapphires, diamonds, rubies, emeralds and more without the need for massive financial investment.
Metals such as gold and silver, and gemstones like rubies, emeralds, sapphires and diamonds have always been top choices when it comes to amazing jewelry and classic accessories. Not only are they all precious materials, but they have exceptional beauty and sparkle. The issue with these items is that because of their fine qualities, they tend to be very expensive which makes it difficult for many people to acquire them.
An affordable substitute for the pure metals is to choose plating, and there are several different types of artificial gems available, though their quality will vary greatly. The four most commonly used replacement mediums are acrylic plastic, gum paste, colored glass and lead crystal. Each of these options will have characteristics that will affect color, clarity and shine.
Artificial gems are known as rhinestones and they can be made from several different materials and in many sizes, colors and shapes. The more inexpensive products basically look like matte colored stones and are primarily used in making cheap jewelry for costumes and child's play. By contrast, the most expensive ones are so finely crafted that even some experts are fooled at first glance.
The lower end items are generally made from a gum paste or an acrylic plastic. They are inexpensive and great for use in costuming needs and for children's accessories. Unfortunately, since neither of these materials have any light refracting qualities, these gems may have a rather vibrant color but no real sparkle.
Those in the mid range are mostly constructed using glass as their base product. Color works well in this medium which produces gems with rich jewel tones that can produce quite a nice sparkle when paired with a proper cut and a metal or foil backing. These are the types that are often used for crafting projects and for regular everyday accessories like bracelets, charms, earrings and hair pins.
At the high end of the spectrum are the ultimate in fabricated jewels, featuring exceptional clarity and quality. These are made from fine lead crystal which can be colored and cut to such near perfection that even some experts have difficulty telling they are not real without special examinations. This type, especially those made by the Swarovski company, can be rather pricey because of their close replication of actual gems.
No matter what type of event is planned, what one's personal tastes are or the size of the available budget, there are quite a number of options when looking for fabricated gems. Many things such as hair accessories, jewelry, purses, clothing and more can be made fabulous by utilizing rhinestones. They create the beauty and mystique of fine stones like sapphires, diamonds, rubies, emeralds and more without the need for massive financial investment.
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