​What is Imitation Jewellery?

​Well, many of us understand what is imitation jewellery, which is also termed as costume and fashion jewellery, is, but let us understand how it gets this term. Imitation jewellery refers to accessories made out of non-precious materials that look like real jewellery. The base of these jewellery is made of materials like plastics, metals, glass, and others that make them affordable and available in a wide range, such as necklaces, imitation earrings, bangles, rings, bracelets, anklets, and even some pieces that are hard to find in real jewellery designs.​

The main focus of the imitation items is the aesthetic appeal and budget, which gives customers the freedom of owning multiple pieces to go with every single attire. Also, imitation jewellery follows similar trends as clothing, and they change every season and every few years like oxidized jewellery that is dominating the imitation jewellery scene at present. In simpler words, imitation jewellery allows every type of consumer to have a set of jewellery without making them invest a huge amount of money, and financial commitment.

Commonly Used Materials in the Making of Imitation Jewellery

​Unlike traditional and real jewellery that have limited and expensive options for its making, imitation jewellery is made using a wide range of materials for the base as well as embellishment. Let’s know about these materials here:

​Brass, Copper, and Zinc​

These three materials are used in the same section because they are all used to make the base of the majority of the imitation jewellery pieces. All three are used in the majority because of their light-weight and malleability features. Using these metals as the foundation of the imitation jewellery also gives them strength and long-lasting attributes. After giving the final shape to the jewellery, plating and embellishment are done on them.

​Plastic

​Other than the metal alloys we discussed above, plastic is also used heavily for imitation jewellery making because of its lightweight, water-resistance, and versatile nature. As it can bend into any shape and size, plastic makes for an ideal base for many types of imitation jewellery. It is also one of the cheapest materials available, even in the imitation jewellery market, and right from earrings to bangles, plenty of designs can be achieved with plastic.

​Glass

​Though a fragile material, glass too is used to create sophisticated imitation jewellery, mainly as an embellishment and replacement for kundan and gemstones. Its shiny surface mimics the beauty of gemstones perfectly, and to make intricate designs for imitation jewellery, there is no better alternative. In comparison to beads and pearls, glass embellishment lasts for years if taken care of and is an environmentally-friendly material because it can be recycled.

​Resin

​Resin has been introduced in recent years and has been creating buzz in the world of imitation jewellery. It is a synthetic material and can be easily molded into any shape, and any colour can be added to it to create endless designs. For resting customized jewellery, resin has become a top choice in recent times. Though resin looks similar to plastic, its color does not fade, and it doesn’t bend in extreme heat, and is resistant to daily wear and tear.

​Synthetic Gemstone

​Synthetic gemstones, CZs (Cubic Zirconia), are lab-grown stones that imitate the appearance and shine of real diamonds and gemstones. These are used to decorate the imitation jewellery, but are an affordable option, and sometimes, their shininess surpasses that of the real stones. They are available in a diverse range of colours, often the shades that are impossible to get in natural and real stones. These gemstones are sturdy and more durable, even when worn daily.

Types of Imitation Jewellery

​While there is an endless possibility when it comes to the design of imitation jewellery, there are certain types that are very popular and are in almost every season and occasion. Below we are sharing those common types that you must own to stay in trend always:

​Gold Imitation Jewellery

​Indeed, the most famous type, especially among Indian women, is gold imitation jewellery. In India, wearing gold is directly related to reflecting the standard and status of a person, but buying it today has become impossible for people with limited finances. Gold imitation jewellery helps in such scenarios because they are made with such a fine finishing that they mimic the original gold jewellery and are easily the most bought one.

​American Diamonds

​As a replacement for the real diamond pieces, ADs (American Diamonds) are used heavily. The ADs are made using cubic Zirconia, which are lab-grown synthetic stones that shine like diamonds, and sometimes even outshine the real diamonds. It too helps in occasions and events where rich people come flaunting their real diamonds, and you too can gel among them wearing ADs, and hardly anyone can tell them apart.

Kundan Jewellery

​Kundan jewellery is expensive and is made using real gold and silver using intricate designs with real gemstones. However, it is also available as imitation jewellery and is made using brass or copper as the base and glass cutting as the kundan for the embellishment. Even as an imitation jewellery, it appears very much real and gives off the luxury vibes.

​Temple Jewellery

​Temple jewellery is also an authentic design made of real gold and originated in South India. Its popularity, however, has reached to the different parts of the country, making way for its imitation jewellery. Very much like traditional and gold imitation jewellery, temple imitation jewellery also looks the same and can be worn in a grand function where wearing gold reflects status.

German Silver Jewellery

​German silver jewellery is very famous in the world of imitation jewellery because it creates a distinctive look and goes with all types of Indian and traditional attires. It is made using a combination of zinc, nickel, and copper to mimic the appearance of the silver jewellery and often comes at an affordable rate and at a wide range of variety from earrings to necklaces, bangles, rings, nose rings, and others.

Benefits of Imitation Jewellery

​You may own real jewellery made of expensive materials like diamonds, gold, gemstones, and others, but keeping the financial factors aside, imitation jewellery will overthrow it when you compare the benefits. We are going to do the same to make you understand why you should invest in imitation jewellery by discussing its benefits:

​Affordable

​The very first benefit of owning imitation jewellery is its affordability. It is obvious that, in comparison to real jewellery, it will cost you about 1 percent of the cost of the real gold jewellery, making it accessible for everyone with a limited budget. 

In a time like today, when the price of gold, silver, and other precious metals and stones is skyrocketing, it is impossible for everyone to own a real piece of jewellery, but it doesn’t mean that one has to stay empty neck and empty ear. Imitation jewellery immediately comes to the rescue, and you can get a decent pair of earrings or neckpiece in a small budget.

​Wide Range of Designs

​This is one area where imitation jewellery will always beat the real jewellery. With so many metals, materials, and embellishments, there are endless designs in imitation jewellery, and you can own a pair for every different attire. Also, you can create diverse styles by keeping it minimal, traditional, or even a statement look. 

If you want to complete a traditional look with traditional jewellery, you can easily get in diverse designs with different motifs and intricate designs to choose from. The wide range gives you the freedom to choose a piece for diverse occasions, as well from a grand wedding to the office party. It is like you will never run out of designs, and the constant addition of new designs will fill the scarcity, if there is any.

​Easily Available

​This is something which you may have not thought of yet, but buying imitation jewellery comes with less risks because of the lower cost. You can either get it from a random shop near your place or order it online. There is no risk involved, but when you have to buy real gold or diamond jewellery, you can’t just walk into any shop and make the purchase; you have to be selective about the shops as well as check for their authenticity. 

Ordering real jewellery online involves a greater risk as the shop can send you fake jewellery with no possible returns. You have imitation jewellery easily available and order it online with a worry of being looted or scammed.

​Safe to Travel With

​Even the thought of travelling with real jewellery can rob you of your peace and sleep, but the same is not the case when you have to travel with your imitation jewellery because of the obvious reasons. 

You can simply pack it in your bags and travel without the stress of getting robbed, and even if you lose your luggage due to some unfortunate events, you will not lose something that you can’t afford in the future. Similarly, when you keep your real jewellery back at home and travel some place away, the stress of being robbed of them in your absence will always accompany you.

​Durable

​This is often a common myth associated with imitation jewellery that they don’t last for a longer time and break in a couple of months. The reality is that if you are spending on decent imitation jewellery that is made using superior materials of alloys and gemstones for embellishment, they can easily last a decade with minimal care and maintenance. All you need to do is keep all your imitation jewellery and pairs separate from each other to not get tarnished, and they will be just fine. Keep them away from water, scent, perfume, and makeup, and you can wear them daily as well.

​Final Words

Imitation jewellery has a huge market because it gives women the freedom of buying as much jewellery as they want without thinking about the budget. Almost all types of imitation jewellery fall in the budget, and their diversity makes it possible to match every type of attire, from Indian to western. However, when you know in detail about the imitation jewellery meaning, types, and ways to pair them, buying the right piece becomes an easy task.

​FAQs

​Is imitation jewelry real or fake?

Imitation jewelry is fake jewelry because they are not made using precious metals like gold, diamonds, and silver, but are made using metal alloys like brass, zinc, and copper with synthetic stones as an embellishment.

​What is the difference between imitation and artificial jewellery?

Though artificial jewellery vs imitation jewellery is the same thing, imitation jewellery is made to mimic real jewellery, while artificial jewellery covers every type of fake jewellery made using any material or metal.

​Is jewelry real or fake?

Jewelry is both fake and real. The difference is that real jewellery is made using expensive materials, such as gold, silver, diamonds, and gemstones, whereas fake jewellery is made using cheap and inexpensive materials.

​What is another name for imitation jewelry?

Imitation jewelry is also called costume jewelry and fashion jewelry, and sometimes, people even call it artificial jewelry.

​How to check the quality of imitation jewellery?

The quality of the imitation jewellery is based on the metals used in the making, which should be strong metal alloys, and the stone works done on them should be strong and not come out easily.

​Which material is used in imitation jewellery?

Brass, copper, and zinc are used in the making of the base of the imitation jewellery and glass and synthetic gemstones are used as the embellishments.