A common question when making a jewelry purchase is "What type of jewelry is this?" or "Is this costume jewelry or real jewelry?"
At Dandelion, there isn't one generalized yes-or-no answer to this question. Some of our jewelry is considered “costume” and some of it is not. We strive to offer something for everyone and for every occasion, therefore we carry a wide range of “types” of jewelry. We look for quality jewelry in every category and as many price points as possible. To break it down, we could categorize almost everything we carry as one of following types: fine jewelry, bridge jewelry, costume jewelry, or trend jewelry.
Fine Jewelry: These pieces are made with precious metals (typically 14k and 18k gold) and precious or semi-precious gemstones. With proper care, this jewelry should last a lifetime and may be passed down as an heirloom, and can be repaired within reason. Jewelry in this category will be in the higher range of price points that we carry, but varies widely depending on the piece. Follow care instructions from the designer, or general guidelines for care of solid gold and gemstone jewelry. Examples of fine jewelry collections that we carry are: Anne Sportun, Polly Wales, Liven Co., Suzanne Kalan, Sia Taylor, and more.
Artisan (Bridge) Jewelry: These pieces are made with sterling silver or a combination of gold and silver (14k, vermeil, or gold filled - learn more about types of gold here) and precious or semi-precious gemstones. With proper care, artisan jewelry can last a lifetime and can be repaired within reason. A large portion of the jewelry that we carry falls into this category and price points can vary widely depending on the piece. Follow care instructions from the designer, or general guidelines for care of sterling silver jewelry and semi-precious stones. Examples of artisan jewelry collections that we carry are: Kelim, Ed Levin, Sherry Tinsman, Alicia Van Fleteren, Tashi, and more. Some designers create jewelry that spans more than one category - for example, Adel Chefridi creates a sterling silver collection, a mixed metal “harmony” collection, and a fine 18k gold collection. Chan Luu’s collection also ranges from costume, to bridge, to fine.
Costume Jewelry: Jewelry in this category can be made from a wide range of materials. We strive to carry costume jewelry that is of high quality materials and craftsmanship. They may be plated brass or bronze, jeweler’s metal (a mixed metal alloy, typically nickel-free), stainless steel, semi-precious stones or synthetic stones, leather, glass, crystals, lucite, etc. These pieces should last years with proper care, and be repaired within reason. Always follow care instructions provided by the designer, or contact us if you need guidance about how to care for or clean your costume jewelry. Jewelry in this category can be found in a wide range of price points. Examples of costume jewelry collections that we carry are: Julie Vos, Ayala Bar, Pursuits, Betty Carre, and more.
Trend Jewelry: Jewelry in this category can be made from various materials such as plated brass or other alloys, jeweler’s metal, stainless steel, textiles, elastics, crystals, glass, other organic or synthetic materials and semi-precious stones. Most trend jewelry has a lower price point, should be expected to last a season or two, and can not be repaired. With care, some trend jewelry can last a bit longer, but it is not necessarily designed to be worn heavily over several seasons. Examples of trend jewelry collections that we carry are: Pura Vida, 4Ocean, Scout, Origin, and more.
