Ask Angie (and others): Statement jewelry in non-base metals?

Keix

I have resisted the statement jewelry trend for a while because my skin doesn't play well with something in costume jewelry base metals and most of my jewelry collection is in sterling silver. But recently I fell in love with a flower bib necklace at Forever 21 and bought it against my better judgment... I adore the design and found it super versatile for the three wears I was able to get before the plating wore off and it started leaving marks and weird tingling on my neck.

So now I'm ready to invest in a higher-quality version of the necklace, but I have no idea where to find statement jewelry with sterling silver findings, if they even exist (I can't afford gold!). I'd be willing to consider pure brass, too, because I've had good luck with it in the past despite the part-copper alloy. Is this something I'll realistically find for under $100-$200?

13 years ago

Shopping

8 replies

Latest reply was from shiny

Diana

Veteran

I would try searching on Etsy. In addition to nice handmade items, a lot of people there also sell vintage jewelry. Here is what I get when I search for "sterling silver bib necklace.

Are you able to wear silver plated jewelry or does it have to be sterling? I think the price will be significantly less if you can wear plated.

13 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Looks like Diana has you sorted

13 years ago

Diana

Veteran

PS - WELL out of your price range, but here is some eye candy for inspiration. Georg Jensen is my mom's favorite jeweler, so I am lucky to have a few (much smaller and less pricey!) pieces from them.

Georg Jensen Regitze bib necklace
Georg Jensen Regitze collar necklace

13 years ago

velvetychocolate

Veteran

Focus your search on "nickel free jewelry" or "nickel free jewellery" (depending on how you spell it in your area)...

I went to J. Crew - and did a search for "nickel free jewelry", and there are *lots* of things to choose from..

I tried to put the link in, but it didn't work out...try going to J. Crew's site and type "nickel free jewelry" in their search bar, you'll see what I mean

Kind of expensive, but here's a fabulous nickel-free flower statement necklace:

http://www.jcrew.com/womens_ca...../95091.jsp

ETA: also noticed "nickel and lead free" as a description on some Express necklaces as well. Not sure what style you're after exactly, but look at Express too since a lot of their pieces specify 'nickel free'.

I'm pretty sure there will be reasonably priced nickel-free necklaces - I saw some on Etsy too, as well as places like White House Black Market etc.

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13 years ago

Traci

Veteran

I remember reading years ago to paint earrings with clear nail polish if you have a reaction to them. Maybe you adapt this for necklaces and paint them back of them with some sort of varnish?

13 years ago

Jyoti

(website)

Veteran

Just a note, if you've got some problems with costume jewelry, you might want to check with a dermatologist/contact dermatitis person what you're actually reacting to. I wouldn't want you to buy some nickel-free jewelry and then figure out that you're actually reacting to something else! I've seen a bunch of people have reactions to a lot of other things present in costume jewelry and it would be sad to buy something awesome and not be able to wear it!

13 years ago

Keix

Veteran

Wow, thanks everyone for all the leads! Jyoti, you're right that I'm not sure exactly what I'm reacting to. I have very sensitive ear piercings as well--can't wear surgical steel hooks, even sterling silver causes some problems--and some chronic skin issues to boot. Most costume jewelry leaves blackish-green marks on my skin, which is a classic reaction to copper, but I suspect I may have other metal allergies.

Diana, plated works for as long as the plating holds... which is why I've avoided it mostly, because there aren't any standards for the thickness/quality of "sterling silver plated" jewelry. I'm interested in gold-fill which does have a required minimum thickness.

13 years ago

shiny

Veteran

I'm also allergic to copper. Apparently I developed an allergy after 10 years with a copper IUD. Like you, I get a greenish reaction, tingling, and the jewelry leaves angry red marks in my skin. I discovered this when wearing a necklace with circles -- it left red marks in the exact shape of the necklace. That necklace was also from F21.

I have had no problems with jewelry from Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft or Ann Taylor Outlet. Probably 70% of my necklaces are from there.

13 years ago

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