What is Jewelery?

The Spanish term "bisutería" derives from the French word "bijouterie," which in turn comes from "bijou," a word indicating a piece of jewelry made of non-precious materials (therefore, generally not gold). By "bisutería," we therefore refer to both the collection of costume jewelry and the store where it is sold.

In the past the term also included trinkets and small items, today, however, with costume jewellery we understand above all earrings , bracelets , necklaces , rings and brooches produced from low-value materials, in particular metals such as brass, bronze, steel or aluminium, but also polymer clay, wood, plastic and ceramic, and non-precious stones, especially zirconia or pastes (e.g. turquoise paste).

Costume jewelry originated as "stage jewelry," that is, "fake" jewelry worn in the entertainment world, specifically on stage, instead of real jewelry. Later, however, it became commercially available and enjoyed great success thanks to costume jewelry's low prices compared to more expensive jewelry made from precious metals and stones.

Costume jewelry is often created on an industrial scale, but even major fashion brands are designing high-quality costume jewelry.

It was in the city of Providence that the most important jewels for movie stars were created. Some of them are so beautiful that they look absolutely real, even though they have a lower value. But by now, their popularity has reached such an extent that they have become an industrial product with very low prices. Although it is now a commercial phenomenon, costume jewelry production has become affordable for everyone. In fact, it has become a very popular hobby, especially among women.

This interest has led to numerous courses, fairs, and markets dedicated to this sector. There are many websites where you can find clear explanations of the techniques, as well as numerous stores where you can purchase all kinds of materials for creating these jewelry pieces.

Costume jewelry is now available on the market and is affordable for everyone. However, a clear distinction must be made with luxury jewelry, which, despite not using precious materials, has reached such a level of beauty and refinement that it commands extremely high prices. It is usually sold by haute couture brands and is aimed at buyers with substantial financial means. Of course, there are also different cost levels for hobby-level creation. It all depends on the materials used and their basic cost.