It’s not just a question about quality and whether you would rather invest hundreds of dollars on jewelry that looks plain (albeit quite timeless) or risk having allergic reactions just to save some money. It’s more than that and there are other options available as well.
Let us introduce you to semi-fine jewelry.
As the name suggests, it lies somewhere in-between fine jewelry and fashion jewelry; so really, the best of both worlds.
First, let us break down some of the terminologies you might come across when you start browsing for additions to your jewelry box.
Fine Jewelry
They’re always made out of precious metals like gold, rhodium, palladium, platinum, and silver with genuine stones. They’ll never tarnish and can be worn daily, perfect for those who like to wear their jewelry 24/7. However, the high quality also comes with a hefty price tag, and not everyone may feel comfortable investing in such pieces or satisfied in having a smaller collection of fine jewelry.
Fashion Jewelry
AKA costume jewelry, aka fake jewelry, aka imitation jewelry. There are many names for these items of jewelry, although we think fashion jewelry sounds the least disdainful, so we’ll go with that. Basically, fashion jewelry is often made with brass, copper, or other cheap metals alloys. They can also be made up of non-metal materials such as leather and use simulated stones made from plastic, cubic zirconia, or Swarovski crystals. While you will have a variety of designs to choose from and you’ll likely save some money in the short-term, but because they tarnish easily and have a short life-span, they might cause skin irritations or end up costing you more than you would assume in the long term.
Designer Jewelry
We should also clarify misconceptions about the term designer jewelry as they don’t always refer to quality material. Designer jewelry refers to jewelry that is produced by a certain fashion label or company that would be considered luxury or branded. It can be handcrafted and made with really high-quality materials and precious gemstones, which is why they usually come with a big price tag. However, more often than not, designer jewelry is often mass-produced using the exact same methods as commercial jewelry. Although they’re often made with higher quality materials, the quality can still vary wildly between brands. When purchasing designer jewelry, always pay attention to the materials used rather than simply on brand names.
Semi-Fine Jewelry
This is a newer hybrid of jewelry type that did not traditionally exist. It’s often regarded by some experts as fashion jewelry and not as an “authentic” category of jewelry. However, it is a growing category of jewelry that is gaining much traction as an alternative to fashion jewelry, especially amongst millennial consumers.
When you think about it, it makes perfect sense really. Semi-fine jewelry is characterized by jewelry that is made with gold vermeil or is gold-filled and with real gemstones like morganite and opals, which are more affordable. Because the outer layer is made of gold, it does not tarnish as quickly or cause skin irritations. Additionally, because the inner filling is usually a metal base alloy, its raw materials are cheaper and thus, the jewelry themselves are also priced much lower than fine jewelry.
So, for many of us who are outgrowing our shopping days at Forever 21 and are looking for ways we can be as sustainable as possible, semi-fine jewelry might be the way to go. They do not require as hefty an investment as fine jewelry but can still provide us with a high-quality product in the end, allowing us to purchase on-trend jewelry at affordable prices.
The bonus benefit is that transitioning into semi-fine jewelry from fashion jewelry is just another way we can reduce our fashion waste and practice a more conscious consumption of fashion.