How to Find Quality Fashion Jewelry

Everything is expensive today. From gasoline to clothing, prices keep escalating at a staggering rate. For that reason, people are quickly learning how to best spend their money. When buying a new outfit simply isn't possible, the best way to revive it is with new accessories like jewelry. However, with the prices of silver and gold pushing fine jewelry out of the reach of many people, more are turning toward fashion jewelry instead. Unfortunately, not all fashion jewelry is the same. Some of it is flimsy in nature, using plastic and glass set in mystery metals. Oddly enough, often for about the same price, one can purchase fashion jewelry of a higher quality; made with crystals or gem simulates set in metal clad with precious metal over the top. The trick is knowing where and when to make fashion jewelry purchases.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Current fashion (and other) magazines that contain articles about the latest trends in jewelry;
• A summary of the outfits that you need to accessorize;
• A list of the jewelry you already have;
• A list of the types of jewelry pieces you want to purchase;
• A list of jewelry designers that you already own or know that you like; and
• Pictures of the type of jewelry you want to search for.

How to Find Quality Fashion Jewelry

1. Make a list of the jewelry that you already have. Be detailed with regard to the type and style of each piece; what it is made of; and what pieces match or compliment it.
2. Determine which outfits you have that your current jewelry items accessorize well.
3. Determine which outfits require new accessories and list each one in detail with regard to its specifics like color and style. Also make note of any other accessory pieces that you generally wear with the outfit like shoes, handbags, jackets or coats, or anything else. The more detail you put in your description, the easier it will be for you to make your final jewelry decisions.
4. Using the information you have gathered, make a list of the types, styles, and colors of new jewelry items you think you need in order to round out your accessories. Be specific with regard to exact type you item you want, such as pendant versus necklace or bangle versus tennis bracelet. Also be specific with regard to metal type, stone, bead, or cabochon color, enamel requirements, styling or anything else that will help you make your final decisions.
5. Review fashion and other magazines that contain articles about the current trends in jewelry. Cut out pictures or make copies of those pieces that you like, if possible. If you cannot cut out pictures or make copies, write out a detailed description of the jewelry items you like. Be sure to also make note of the name of any specific jewelry designers that you like.
6. Compare your list of the jewelry items you have identified that you need against those that you like. Where the two lists intersect, is your starting point for jewelry purchases. Mark those items with a star or other distinguishing mark. Be sure to include extra pieces as alternate jewelry choices on your list in the event you cannot find your first choices or the price for such pieces is prohibitive.
7. Determine which is more important to you; having a large variety of jewelry pieces that only go with specific outfits or choosing a few pieces that will mix and match with more than one outfit. This will help you in making your final purchase decisions.
8. Using the list you identified from magazines of the jewelry designers you like, do some online research to find out where their jewelry can be purchased. Narrow the designer list down to those that you can easily purchase locally, through television or online.
9. Research the jewelry designers you have identified with regard to insight, quality, and cost. Eliminate any designer that has repeated complaints about being behind the trends, quality control, or who are outside of your price range. The remaining list should represent those jewelry designers you most wish to pursue.
10. Begin shopping for the jewelry designers and jewelry pieces that you have left on your list. Shop online, through television, at local stores, or any combination thereof. Be sure to compare jewelry designers against one another with regard to trend, style, and cost, choosing only those pieces best suited to your specific needs.
11. Shop local stores when you need to make immediate, same day purchases and/or when the prices are reasonable.
12. Shop online when you can obtain the same or higher quality jewelry items within a reasonable amount of time at a lower cost, or with a better guarantee, than you can obtain locally.
13. Shop on television when you can obtain the same or higher quality jewelry items within a reasonable amount of time at a lower cost than you can purchase locally or when it is backed with a money back guarantee or warrantee.
14. Make your fashion jewelry choices based on quality, versatility, and price, purchasing only those items that best suit your specific needs. Whenever possible, make purchases that carry a money-back guarantee or warrantee.

Tips & Warnings

• Opt for the highest quality jewelry items possible within your price range.
• Choose classic jewelry pieces that won't go out of style within a few months.
• Purchase jewelry items that can be used with more than one outfit.
• Stick with jewelry styles that suit you, even if they aren't particularly trendy.
• Choose jewelry items that mix and match with regard to metal type; colors; stone, bead, or enamel type; making choices that match or compliment other pieces.
• Always choose quality over quantity.
• Choose jewelry designers and designs that can withstand the test of time.
• Avoid or limit the purchase of jewelry items that are too trendy in nature.
• Don't make a jewelry purchase simply because it is cheap.
• Avoid mystery metals and unknown stones or beads whenever possible.
• Don't purchase a jewelry item just because you like it, if you don't have anything with which to wear it.
• Avoid jewelry designers who don't have staying power.