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 Fashion Jewelry Composition |
06 Mar 09 |
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By: TaTanisha Howard |
Fashion Jewelry Composition
What materials make up costume jewelry?
1. Simulated stones composed of cubic zirconia, glass or plastic are
one of the main components of most costume jewelry. The most popular of
which is cubic zirconia because of its physical characteristics. It is
used to create simulated versions of precious gemstones such as
diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. Its sparkly appeal and
inexpensive price tag allow for much larger, more glitzy fashion pieces
that instantly attract attention. Colored glass can also be used to
simulate precious stones and faux pearls. Rhinestone jewelry is also
popular because of its glitzy appeal and color choices. Plastics such
as acrylic and epoxy are often used to make cheaply priced beaded
jewelry.
Instead of manmade stones sometimes semiprecious stones such as
pearls, topaz, black opal, amethyst, or peridot are used to provide a
more fine jewelry appeal.
2. A base metal such as tin, copper, brass, nickel, aluminum or a
combination of metals that has been altered to resemble more precious
metals (e.g. gold). This is achieved by a variety of methods including:
¨ tone: Have you ever heard of costume jewelry that is referred to
as silver or gold tone? This means just what the name implies. Tone
refers to the color of the metal only. Gold and silver tone jewelry are
silver and gold in color but contain no actual gold or silver.
¨ electroplating: This is probably the most common method. In this
process an electric current is used to deposit a thin layer, as little
as 2 mils (a mil is one millionth of an inch) onto the base alloy metal
which is immersed in a salt bath solution of the precious metal that
will be used to plate the object.
¨layering: This method also utilizes the process of electroplating.
However, the plated object is immersed for a longer period of time
allowing for a much thicker layer of precious metal to be deposited.
Layered gold or silver may consist of approximately 20-50 mils of gold
or silver. Although it doesn't sound like much, this thicker layer
results in a much more durable, longer lasting jewelry piece especially
when coated with a protective material such as Tarniban which is an
organic substance that provides a protective shield and adds to the
hardness of the metal.
¨ overlay: This method utilizes heat rather than electricity to
combine the base metal with the precious metal to form a new alloy.
This creates a permanent bond between the metals which creates jewelry
that can be as durable and long lasting as the real thing with proper
care. Gold overlay jewelry is also sometimes referred to as gold
filled. It is generally safer for sensitive skin than costume jewelry
made by other methods.
¨ Technibond: This is considered to be one of the most desired
methods of gold plating because it uses a full 40 mils of 14kt gold
over .925 sterling silver. For gold and silver lovers it is the best of
both worlds. However, as with any plated item, a protective coating
should be added for best results.
¨ vermeil: Vermeil is considered to be the absolute best in gold
plating. This type of jewelry contains as much as 100 mils of gold over
.925 sterling silver and as you can expect is also a bit pricier. It
may be worth it for someone looking for something closer to the real
thing without paying the exorbitant price for solid gold.
3. Costume jewelry may also consist of odd materials such as wood, stone, and shell which can be either natural or colored.
By: TaTanisha Howard
www.articlerich.com
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