Life Expectancy of Costume Jewelry

Grr! It happened again today. I had on a beaded necklace from Apt. 9 which I've worn maybe half a dozen times. While eating lunch in a restaurant with DS14, I suddenly felt something slide down my chest. After glancing around to make sure the other diners and DS were focused on their food and not on me, I ever so nonchalantly reached down into my bra, where a bead from the necklace was nestled. (This could have gone in Mary's Fashion Faux Pas thread!)

But anyway, yet another broken piece of costume jewelry. Again and again I'm surprised and disappointed that my costume jewelry just doesn't last very long. I've had many necklaces and earrings fall apart after not many wears. I buy much of it from Target and Kohl's but have also had to restring a couple of Talbot's necklaces that fell apart while I was wearing them.

I really don't think I'm hard on my jewelry. Does anyone else have the same thing happen? Should I buy better quality jewelry? Or should I expect a lot of costume jewelry won't last more than six to ten wears?

10 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I think, I hate to say it, it's the quality of Target and Kohl's. I have had some of my costume jewelry for years. But it's stuff I get at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, etc. Forever 21, breaks after one wear.

Windchime

Thanks, Anna. Just as I suspected, it's time to step up my jewelry quality. If I had time, I'd like to try making my own. But that's not realistic.

Mellllls

Even an Ann Taylor costume jewelry necklace of mine did not hold up well.

jennifer

I've had mixed luck ,depends on the style of the piece sometimes .I find that the wire illusion bib style seems to uncrimp the wire holding the beads on sometimes . Also some beads have sharp edges to the bead hole and they can fray or cut through a strand. Some pendant styles aren't best stored hanging or the weight of the pendant can wear down on the cord .

I'm sorry to hear that, Melillis; for what some of those Ann Taylor and Talbot's items cost, they should have decent longevity.

rabbit

I haven't yet found any department store costume jewelry from the last five years or so (I'm not looking at Neiman Marcus though, and Macy's more often than Nordstroms) that seems to be as well made as vintage pieces.

I like vintage costume jewelry I've looked at and handled, Etsy jewelry, craft fair/art school/museum gift shop jewelry, or little boutiques where someone is making them by hand, but mainstream retail costume jewelry that is moderately priced? No luck so far.

Oh and Barneys has good stuff too. But I stalk for sales.

Rabbit, I love the suggestion to look at vintage and handmade jewelry.

Anna, I'm going to Nordstrom next week (my first Nordstrom visit!) I'll put costume jewelry on my list of departments to visit.

I don't wear beaded items, but I've had problems with cheap metals tarnishing. These pieces lasted a couple of years, though, so probably dozens of wears first. Bought at Beall's Outlet, so they are from everywhere from Beall's to Target or F21, to higher end dept. stores. Sorry.

deb

I never expect costume jewelry to last very long. Even expensive gold jewelry will break, the chains wear down from rubbing or pulling.

Kristin L

Eek! Well, at least you have funny story to share with everyone, right.

It's been really hit or miss for me. I'd go with Rabbit's suggestion of Etsy. I bought a costume ring set on there about 5 years ago and it still looks beautiful. The seller's store was called "Intention" or something like that. I'm not sure if she's still making anything, though.

Aida

Costume jewelry is my big soft spot! I have had mixed luck too actually. I've got pieces from Forever 21 that have held up for years, and pieces from higher end stores that fell apart quickly. I do my best to assess the quality of connections and metal when I purchase; the weight of the metal or glass is also often a good indicator. Most of my costume jewelry I expect to last at minimum 1-2 years, after which I figure I'll be tired of it and at that point can either give it away or sell it to make room for something new. If it lasts longer, good deal. Some inexpensive pieces that I expect to last only a season are worth picking up, to add a dash of inexpensive trendy fun. Vintage costume jewelry is a great option too, usually much better craftsmanship. My vintage pieces I fully expect to continue working for many years!

lyn*

Like Aida, I have F21 pieces I've worn for years and Anthro stuff that arrives broken out of the bag (GRR, ANTHRO).

Caro in Oz

I agree with Anna. The cheap ones don't last imo.

I have some of my grandmother's great costume jewellery from the 1930s, it's still going strong. I also buy most of mine on sale.

rach

Member

I wear a mix of the silver handmade 'good stuff' and costume jewelry, and I too find costume jewelry never lasts me more than a handful of wears. It's a shame because I don't just buy it because it's cheaper, it's also often more loud and 'on trend' than my nice jewelry which is more classic. But sometimes you want the loud statement necklace that's only in this season!

MsLuna

All my jewelry is costume jewelry. The life expectancy varies. I've had statement necklaces that lasted me 2-3 years. Some just fall apart after a few wears. Sadly, I can't really say a specific life expectancy figure. It all depends on how you take care/wear your jewelry.

In my case, it's not breakage I have to worry about but losing them (hence why I only buy costume jewelry).

Sara L.

Hmm, I have pretty good luck with my costume jewelry. I've only had a few pieces break and I have lots and lots of cheap jewelry (I'm a magpie). So sorry you've had such bad luck.

catgirl

Some of my F21 stuff is going strong after 2 years. Other items have literally disintegrated as I've put them on. I've learned how to tell what will work by studying the construction - lots of jump rings and links are generally a bad sign.

karymk

The best costume jewelry I have is Chanel, Givency, some JCrew necklaces. (never buy their elastic bracelets!)

I'm actually moving away from costume, favoring a "uniform" of personal jewelry in gold, white gold and silver. There's less to worry about this way since I can't ever go overboard on fine jewelry.

rachylou

Tiffany's stuff breaks too...

Anonymous

This thread from a year ago was just bumped to the top of the forum by spam...just removed it

9 years ago

MTBGirl

Good job Diane!

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