Gems: How to wear fakes with style
Today, fake gems in the windows, an exception.
Situations where fakes make sense:
1. Big bad security worries. Not many women I've met live in that world, and those who do have custom copies made, hire private security (which, as Kim Kardashian knows, can fail) and develop close relationships with specialty insurers.
2. A taste for arresting, often flashy pieces that you are not even going to think of passing off as real.
Kenneth Jay Lane "aquamarine" and "peridot" necklace, a copy of one that belonged to the Duchess of Windsor; price, $700. A woman can wear this frothy number and have fun, if she is of the "What, this little thing?" style.
Kenneth Jay Lane "aquamarine" and "peridot" necklace, a copy of one that belonged to the Duchess of Windsor; price, $700. A woman can wear this frothy number and have fun, if she is of the "What, this little thing?" style.
No one would mistake the KJL Duchess of Windsor copy for the sumptuous original, and a first clue is that you're not stepping out of a Bentley when wearing it. You might be by the pool in a crisp white shirt and this baby, but after your iced tea, you are probably sticking the glasses in the dishwasher yourself.
In Florida, I met a woman in a pair of iconic shell earrings; she told me they were by Seaman Schepps. I could see they were replicas. I'm not sure that she herself knew that; you'd be surprised how many women are given copies and accept them for real.
Can you tell which are the genuine pair of Seaman Schepps Turbo shell earrings and which are the KJL replicas?
Let fake be fake!
Below, three brooches that would not get the "Oh, is that real?" question, but stand on their own as alluring examples of the costume world, fake gem division.
Top right: & Other Stories is an H&M spin-off. The ribbon brooch is €29. The riot of "pearls", "sapphire" and "diamond, tied with regimental ribbon, will pick up a navy blazer and spin it it till it giggles.
Bottom right: Butler & Wilson vintage art-deco style dog brooch, rhinestone and enamel; price, about $45 from thecherishedweb. Who's a good boy?
Fake diamonds vs honest CZs
When I see a twentysomething in a simulated-diamond engagement ring, I cringe, not because it isn't pretty, but because she's wearing it everyday, and it won't hold up. Shown: Trilogy Petite ring with 3ct simulated diamond set in 9k white gold; from Carats London; price, $345.
When I see a twentysomething in a simulated-diamond engagement ring, I cringe, not because it isn't pretty, but because she's wearing it everyday, and it won't hold up. Shown: Trilogy Petite ring with 3ct simulated diamond set in 9k white gold; from Carats London; price, $345.
Would I suggest that anyone buy one of these multi-carat fakes? Certainly not for regular wear, but if a woman needs a glittering accessory and does not have—or does not wish—to wear a diamond, they have a place.
A former colleague attended her 25th university reunion and bought a ring like that to broadcast that she had made it, but she also wore the whole kit: sleek, one-shouldered red-orange silk cocktail dress, Louboutin sandals, evening bag, all borrowed. To look OK in a simulated gem, the ensemble has to be as if the jewellery were real—but even that will not ennoble garish high-polish fake gold or badly-set stones.
Hip sparkly pieces
Once you leave the big, fake rocks aside, there is a very cool way to use cz: in a piece that is not trying to be other than what it is. But well-designed cz baubles are like Russian oligarchs living in London just now: not all that easy to locate.
Crystal is easier to find and cheaper, but well-made cz will offer more brilliance because it can be cut with more facets, therefore giving superior dispersion of light.
Left: Butler & WIlson cz chain necklace, (detail shown) which, worn with a simple shirt, would deliver above-the-table chic worn out to dinner, or zhuzh up your leather jacket. (Price, £98.) Because necklaces get a gentler ride than rings, this will hold up decently, and it's classic enough to enjoy for years.
Right: What I said about rings? I'd change my mind for this rhodium and black rhodium cz ring by Freida Rothman because it's an interesting pavé design accentuated by the contrast metal finished, and it's on sale for about $125 at Nordstrom's.
Fake gemstones have their place, fake pearls do not, but you know I'd say that. If you want reasons, click here. And every word is still true!
Comments
They also won compliments when I wore them to a dinner in a friend's dramatic candle-lit 18th century dining room (the Georgians were known to love a bit of fake paste "bling", of course!).
Jane
Jane in London: Oooh, I would love to see those. But the main thing is, your friends do, and you are also doing a service to the opera-going public. Have you noticed all the women in their astoundingly boring little bar earrings? It will do them good to see yours.
Gretchen: It's the same mentality as the "replica" handbag owner, who has bought into the status of brands and thinks a fake can be passed off. I do judge them when they try to pass it off (but remain silent unless the person is •really• obnoxious. So OK, once I told a woman who was going on an on about her "Rolex" that she might want have it authenticated.
I could not find her on Etsy, but Shana Adams' work can be found at touchstonecrystal.com
http://seamanschepps.com/collection/by-category/earrings/
Just abut to dive into the SeamanSchepps site.
I have a long time friend and she once told me how disappointed she was when a woman first showed her a diamond bracelet as she said it wasn't nearly as shiny as the rhinestone ones her mom had always worn! She still loves Swzorofsky(?) Crystal jewelry!
Some of us will never be able to afford "the real thing" - but it doesn't stop me admiring the craft and the skill of those who create these wonderful pieces. On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with a piece of costume jewelry that brings you joy. But yes, I've seen those women on the subway with the huge "diamond" rings - and while, at first glance they look gorgeous, it doesn't take much longer to realize that it's a fake. I just hope that they don't all think they are the real thing.
Crystal is glass. Swarovski have precision cutting and a proprietary process to coat the crystal to make those yummy colours.
Mardel: That's the appeal of well-designed and made fake gems. And I suppose the Duchess of Windsor kicked off her shoes in the real thing- imagine!
People will make the assumption that a woman in a Dior suit is wearing real gems unless it is so wildly, obviously fake that a six year old can tell it's "pretend".
As for whether your heirlooms are read as genuine stones or not when you wear them in jeans and a nice shirt depends on the beholder and his or her experience with jewellery, and the environment you are in. This evening, a friend told me about a woman friend of his, who wears big diamond pendant earrings with jeans, when she travels. He said, "You are going to places where you could be murdered for those earrings" and she replied, "No one thinks they are real."