https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/little-kids-dont-wear-real-jewelry-anymore Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 05 May 2026 06:36:50 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/little-kids-dont-wear-real-jewelry-anymore/page/2#post-201320 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:33:37 +0000 Dusty 201320@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I had "real" jewelry as a child - I wore a ring when I was tiny (with a piece of yarn tied to both it and my wrist to keep it from getting lost or swallowed) and I know I had bracelets and necklaces, too (although most of them didn't get worn for long - they were all gold and it turns out I'm allergic). My daughter, on the other hand (she's 2), has a couple of things (a nice gold cross, a sterling cross, a sterling bracelet and a couple of beautiful silver rings that my sister made her that were always too small) but I don't put them on her, more out of fear of her getting hurt than out of losing them. I just don't like things around little kids' necks and I like rings even less (my FIL lost a finger by getting his ring caught on something). So, the princess has some costume jewelry in her dress-up box, but it doesn't leave the house and she can't wear it if she's running or helping around the house at all. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/little-kids-dont-wear-real-jewelry-anymore/page/2#post-201261 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:14:53 +0000 Mac 201261@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Joy - you and I clearly shared the same parents : ) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/little-kids-dont-wear-real-jewelry-anymore/page/2#post-201244 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 14:40:16 +0000 Anonymous 201244@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ele, I grew up in that WASP environment too and never saw anyone with pierced ears, children or adults, until at least my teens. It must be cultural. My parents were horrified when I had my ears pierced at about age 32 (just one hole per ear). I don't think they ever stopped commenting on it. I think they connected ear piercing with low lifes. My mom wore clip-ons and often complained about them pinching. I couldn't convince her that pierced ear-ring wearing was so much more comfortable. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/little-kids-dont-wear-real-jewelry-anymore/page/2#post-201227 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 14:24:36 +0000 Angie 201227@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for your responses, ladies. It's been an eye opener. </p> <p>I also really enjoyed the different perspectives on what is real, fake and artisan jewelry. It's been clear in my head, but it was great to see it debated too. Taylor, you explained this well and that's how I know the differences too - but I would not have been as articulate as you :0) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/little-kids-dont-wear-real-jewelry-anymore/page/2#post-201163 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 08:41:28 +0000 rute 201163@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>here we still see that a lot, baby girls always wear small gold earrings, but it's cultural.. although I never pierced my daughter and she doesn't like to wear jewelery </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/little-kids-dont-wear-real-jewelry-anymore/page/2#post-201153 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 07:26:37 +0000 Ele 201153@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree that the jewelry-on-little-girls is definitely a cultural thing. I grew up in the same WASP land that Mac (and I imagine Michelle) did, and little girls almost never had their ears pierced. And if someone did, it was like that scene in Friends when Rachel's sister pierces Emma's ears- oh, the horror and judgement! It was something that you begged your parents to let you do, and they likely relented around 11 or 12. </p> <p>That said, my sister and I did have "real" jewelry. My Mum kept little jewelry boxes in her room for each of us, with a few fine pieces each, most of which were Christening gifts. I remember that we each had a coral necklace, some gold ones, and I had a gold bracelet (that I still occasionally wear) too. We kept our costume/fun stuff in our rooms but Mum was keeper of the nice stuff- which we only wore on special occasions. </p> <p>I think I'm a rare young person in that I actually like fine jewelry- well, some of it. I like bolder costume pieces as well, but my jewelry wardrobe wouldn't be complete without my pearl studs, gold nugget earrings or emerald ring. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/little-kids-dont-wear-real-jewelry-anymore/page/2#post-201145 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 06:40:53 +0000 mumtojessandluke 201145@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My little girl loves to wear her necklaces and bracelets. Fake, real imaginary.. it's all good. However, I don't even wear my wedding rings these days- LOL! Thinking my students wouldn't notice, well they did! I've been questioned a few times now why I'm a Mrs with no rings!! LOL. Working in a laboratories and in food production got me in the habit of not wearing them. Now I love wearing jewelery, but I have to be careful. As a breastfeeding mum, my son pulls at my necklaces when feeding him and is at an age where he can get distracted by them. Scarfs are better and give a little coverage when feeding. My daughter just screams at me to let her wear them... I do give in and now she proudly wears the necklace my husband gave me on one of our anniversaries, which makes her feel pretty :). She is very careful with it. Unlike the costume stuff... she just broke her string of plastic pearl like beads today I added the beads to the rest of the broken necklaces, I almost have a full jar now. Touch wood she remains careful with my necklace. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/little-kids-dont-wear-real-jewelry-anymore/page/2#post-201084 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 03:15:09 +0000 taylor 201084@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Exactly Maya ") </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/little-kids-dont-wear-real-jewelry-anymore/page/2#post-201080 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 03:08:41 +0000 Maya 201080@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What Taylor said. </p> <p>I would think most jewelry makers would not only understand but agree with the difference between fine jewelry and costume jewelry. I would also not refer to a jeweler as being one or the other in the first place. A jeweler is a jeweler. Fine, costume, it doesn't really matter.</p> <p>I don't think there is anything wrong with fake jewelry either. Not everyone can afford real diamonds and not everyone wants to. </p> <p>Jewelry has so many different functions. Sometimes it is an investment, an heirloom, keepsake, etc. Other times it's purely decorative. There is nothing wrong with either. I do not find the term costume jewelry to be offensive. In fact it's my preference. If some jewelers think costume is beneath them, that's fine. They are not the kind of jewelers I would go to anyway. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/little-kids-dont-wear-real-jewelry-anymore/page/2#post-201074 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 03:03:02 +0000 taylor 201074@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, ask any jewler what they consider to be fine jewlery and i don't think leather , horsehair, wire and glass beads will ever be considered. Not that is isn't FAB or artistic.</p> <p>Fine jewelery isn't a made up term...There is an actual distintion. These are RARE and difficult to mine stones, and many come from only certain parts of the world...let's not get into the diamond debate here though. And look at the price of gold and silver now:0</p> <p>I own LOTS of fine jewelry and have been gaining a fair amount of costume for fun...but costume... a statement necklace won't be popular in 2 yrs. time, but i always mix the reasl stuff up with it all year after year. </p> <p>I am not debating the artistic aspect of jewelry making...just the difference between real or fine jewlery and other. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/little-kids-dont-wear-real-jewelry-anymore/page/2#post-201072 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 03:01:29 +0000 Anonymous 201072@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I had a small pearl necklace as a child that was worn on Sunday's and special occasions. The elementary girls I teach are more interested in movie/TV personalities and young rock stars and show it in their choice of costume jewelry. Little ones want to look like a princess, older ones like a girl rocker. Both looks involve lots of bling. Girls get to pick out their own jewelry more than in the past. They do cherish a real gold cross pendant for First Communion. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/little-kids-dont-wear-real-jewelry-anymore/page/2#post-201069 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 02:50:33 +0000 RandomThoughts (Andrea) 201069@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The term "artisnal" jewelry seems like a great idea, especially if distinctions need to be made. Costume and fine jewelry, as Taylor and MMP point out, refer to very specific types. Tell a jewelry artist who fabricates using precious metal and sets nontraditional material that they are costume jewelers and you will have made someone VERY unhappy. So even if you categorize it as such in your head -don't say it to the artist-! </p> <p>Just so everyone knows, I'm not getting emotive here! Just talkin'! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/little-kids-dont-wear-real-jewelry-anymore/page/2#post-201002 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 00:48:07 +0000 Mamapicklejuice 201002@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, also remembered I had a pearl necklace from my grandmother as a child. It started out as a single pearl, and every year my parents would send it back to my grandmother, who would have a jeweler add a pearl to the necklance.</p> <p>ETA: I thought costume jewelry was paste jewelry (aka fake jewelry)...I would never consider artisinal jewlery as costume jewlery. It's not pretending to be something other than it is (i.e.braided leather cuffs, ethnic pieces, etc).</p> <p>ETA #2: The Fair that I mentioned mostly shows "fine jewelry," all juried. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/little-kids-dont-wear-real-jewelry-anymore/page/2#post-200999 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 00:26:09 +0000 taylor 200999@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree Maya, Artisan jewelry should have it's own catagory.<br /> Things made of wood, stone, wire, and all sorts of beads and glass, horsehair, leather etc. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/little-kids-dont-wear-real-jewelry-anymore/page/2#post-200997 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 00:22:17 +0000 cecilia 200997@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do think it is cultural. I had several gold pieces as a child. My mother still has her tiny hops with a gold bead. I had my baby girl's ears pierced at 6 months and she already has several pieces from her relatives. She always wears her pearl earrings and her ID bracelet. Even my son has a chain with a cross and will be getting an ID bracelet for his first birthday, which will probably never come off. I also like the idea that I'm instilling the notion of buying quality and having it for life. Everywhere I go, people always comment positively on my daughter's earrings and bracelet, but I really don't see many other children wearing jewelry. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/little-kids-dont-wear-real-jewelry-anymore/page/2#post-200994 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 00:20:07 +0000 Maya 200994@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What Taylor said. I don't think there is any reason to feel hurt or offended. I can't think of a better way to distinguish real jewelry from costume, which is a necessary distinction. </p> <p>If you took me into Tiffany's and asked me to pick something, I'd have a very hard time. I'd much rather head over to Anthropologie or the Alexis Bittar showroom.</p> <p>I'd really propose 3 categories of jewelry: Real, fake, and costume. Real is the real deal, as Taylor mentioned. Fake is "real look" jewelry. Costume is everything else. It's not trying to appear real. Artisanal jewlery and naturally occuring elements that aren't gemstones or metals would fall into this category. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/little-kids-dont-wear-real-jewelry-anymore/page/2#post-200963 Sun, 15 Aug 2010 23:36:09 +0000 taylor 200963@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I consider real jewelry to be fine jewelery, real yellow and white gold, not plated, solid sterling and all silver, not silver plated . Real gemstones either precious or semi precious. and real pearls. </p> <p> No need to split hairs, and be confused... there is a distinct difference between fine jewelry and costume.</p> <p>I received some fine jewelry at about 12 . during the holidays I got some gold earrings and a matching necklace and ring in my birthstone. I still have 1 earring and the ring. I save for sentimental value:)</p> <p>also fine jewelry lasts many generations, and is more often considered heirloom. Whereas costume is FAR less expensive and tends to tarnish, break easily, cause skin irritation and allergies(usually nickle) as in my case. and tends to be quite trendy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/little-kids-dont-wear-real-jewelry-anymore/page/2#post-200960 Sun, 15 Aug 2010 23:26:04 +0000 Mamapicklejuice 200960@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I grew up on real handcrafted jewelry, as I went to the oldest craft fair in the nation every year, and knew all of the artisans personally. I had quite a collection of sterling silver rings with inset semi-precious stones, as well as sterling silver bracelets and necklaces that my parents would buy for me or I would buy for myself. My eldest daughter (4 1/2) already has a sterling silver cross, and a handmade heartshaped pendant (from the fair - going is a 40+ year family tradition). Then again, she also has started her collection of pottery, and picked out her first watercolor this year, so she may not exactly be typical. lol </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/little-kids-dont-wear-real-jewelry-anymore/page/2#post-200936 Sun, 15 Aug 2010 21:25:39 +0000 Debora 200936@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't know if this is considered real jewelry, but I always give sterling silver baby bracelets as gifts to baby girls. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/little-kids-dont-wear-real-jewelry-anymore/page/2#post-200931 Sun, 15 Aug 2010 21:05:20 +0000 Mandi 200931@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I grew up on both - although I was always super nervous when I wore my "real" stuff. Now I like to change my look up so much that I wear mostly costume, although I still have a few "real" pieces to wear on special occasions. As long as you take care of your costume jewelry it should last a pretty good while. I usually tell my customers to make sure to keep it away from makeup, cosmetics, hairspray, and always take it off before washing your hands, or getting in the shower. Being in the bathroom with steam is also really bad for costume jewelry. If you really want it to last a while, you can store it in a plastic bag as well.<br /> <a href="http://www.designsbymandiboutique.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.designsbymandiboutique.com</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/little-kids-dont-wear-real-jewelry-anymore/page/2#post-200928 Sun, 15 Aug 2010 20:59:27 +0000 Louise 200928@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I had no 'real' jewellery as a child apart from a christening bracelet but I never wore it in case it got lost. It's only recently that I have bought a couple of pieces all the rest is costume x </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/little-kids-dont-wear-real-jewelry-anymore#post-200906 Sun, 15 Aug 2010 19:58:33 +0000 Inge 200906@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think you're right Angie, I don't see it so much anymore over here either. I, and all my friends, wore small gold earrings, bracelets and necklaces when we were young, it was not unusual at all. And yes, surprisingly things never got lost or broke, I still have many of these pieces now.</p> <p>Taylor has a good point: many adults don't wear "real" jewellery anymore either, so maybe it was a generation thing/maybe nowadays the custome jewellery selection is much bigger and better? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/little-kids-dont-wear-real-jewelry-anymore#post-200888 Sun, 15 Aug 2010 19:35:59 +0000 shana 200888@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As do most children in my culture , I wore real gold jewelry even as an infant. It is not uncommon to see little girls with their ears pierced and boys &amp; girls wearing gold bracelets &amp; necklaces. </p> <p>I definitely felt the culture clash when my son was born. My uncle had gifted him a small gold chain on which I had strung the same gold cross that I wore when I was a child. After much resistance on my husband's part, my son started wearing his chain when he was about 1. He wore it with no issues until the summer he turned 4 when all of a sudden, I noticed that it was missing. I was sad that he lost it and don't plan to let him or his brother wear any more real jewelry until they are a bit older or for special occasions only. Especially with the price of gold what it is today, it's not worth the risk. My son will have to stick to silly bands for now! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/little-kids-dont-wear-real-jewelry-anymore#post-200881 Sun, 15 Aug 2010 19:24:34 +0000 RoseandJoan 200881@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think it is probably of benefit for a child to learn to look after possessions because they are of more worth. I remember crying when I cracked the plastic jewellery case I kept my necklace in. I loved opening the mother of pearl effect box and moving aside the padding to see the necklace. I still get goose bumps by the sound of a velvet jewellery box snapping shut. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/little-kids-dont-wear-real-jewelry-anymore#post-200876 Sun, 15 Aug 2010 19:19:33 +0000 RandomThoughts (Andrea) 200876@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>PS - My work is very similar to this and my feelings would be hurt if someone told me that I don't make "real jewelry". </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/little-kids-dont-wear-real-jewelry-anymore#post-200875 Sun, 15 Aug 2010 19:18:27 +0000 RandomThoughts (Andrea) 200875@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>But Maya, "real jewelry" can be colorful and fun and needn't be Diamond District wear. Case in point, with precious and semi-precious stones and precious metal:</p> <p><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/jessitaylor" rel="nofollow">http://www.etsy.com/shop/jessitaylor</a></p> <p>I love her work! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/little-kids-dont-wear-real-jewelry-anymore#post-200820 Sun, 15 Aug 2010 17:33:05 +0000 Maya 200820@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think it just means precious metals and gemstones, RT. I never even thought about it any other way. </p> <p>I honestly don't even like real jewelry and can understand why kids wouldn't. Costume jewelry is so much more colorful and has so much more interest to it. When I walk through the diamond district every single shop window looks the same. </p> <p>I get a lot of real jewelry from my relatives in India and I never wear it and never look forward to wearing it. I appreciate it as a gift but the design is not my aesthetic at all and it is often quite heavy and uncomfortable. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/little-kids-dont-wear-real-jewelry-anymore#post-200818 Sun, 15 Aug 2010 17:28:36 +0000 RandomThoughts (Andrea) 200818@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Going slightly OT here...</p> <p>Just reading the thread I found the distinction between "real" jewelry and costume, interesting. I understand what people mean: paste versus actual stones, base metal vs precious.</p> <p>But what is "real jewelry" actually? Isn't any adornment real jewelry? Is leather, bone, brass or copper jewelry "real"? What about handmade glass beads? I'm curious as I've mentioned in another thread I actually have a BFA in metalsmithing, concentrating on jewelry fabrication. I haven't made any fabricated work in a few years because I've moved several times and have not had the opportunity to create a studio (though very soon I hope to!) but this sort of made me wonder: do I make "real" jewelry? After all, my preferred medium is sterling silver and semi-precious cabochons. Gold and faceted stones not so much. But I also work with beads, leather, horsehair, etc. as well as found objects.</p> <p>Just thinking aloud. What do you consider real jewelry? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/little-kids-dont-wear-real-jewelry-anymore#post-200810 Sun, 15 Aug 2010 16:53:36 +0000 Beth 200810@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>We didn't wear real jewelry as children and I don't recall many who did. When I was allowed to pierce my ears (at age 12, I think) I then wore small gold studs but it was soon the 80s and I turned to fashion jewelry instead. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/little-kids-dont-wear-real-jewelry-anymore#post-200808 Sun, 15 Aug 2010 16:48:56 +0000 crazyone 200808@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wore real jewelry as a child, actually much more than I do these days. Real gold earrings all the time, and usually a gold necklace. I did lose a few earrings by accidentally sending them down a sink, but usually these things are manufactured a little better and don't fall off or break easily (for example, the earrings were designed so that you screwed them into their posts--I actually found them difficult to remove by myself, so there was very little likelihood of them falling off. My mom would check every so often to see if they were tight.), so I don't think that comes into consideration as much as you think. </p> <p>The reason why I don't wear as much now is that I prefer the outfit coordination that I get with costume jewelry...I have fewer outfits with which the Indian 22K jewelry meshes well, though I often just wear the gold chain necklace I have anyway, since it's rather fine and doesn't clash. </p>