talkingfashion » vintage jewelry and accessories
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Sustainable Jewelry: Natural Stone Accessories
Sustainable Jewelry: Natural Stone Accessories
By Paige McKirahan
In the jewelry industry, we have been using gemstones and other types of stones for centuries as a way to add some va-va-voom to any piece. Diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires are just some of the types of naturally occurring stones that are extremely common in accessories and bejeweled pieces. But what about a more natural approach to this sparkly fascination?
Continuing with our conversation of sustainability, this discussion of naturally occurring stones is more so pointed towards those that are of the crystal variety; crystal stone jewelry has become increasingly more popular in the past decade as more people have begun to use them for their magical and healing properties. Their natural, rough look contrasts gems entirely and offers an element of eccentricity to any outfit.
Natural stone pieces are organic and go perfectly with our desire to purchase products that aren’t detrimental to our environment. They typically are not chemically treated and boast raw edges; this gives the pieces a true from-the-Earth feel and even if the stone’s rough appearance is smoothed, they still possess a magical aesthetic with more subdued undertones. Want to add a little bit of natural healing to your whimsical wardrobe? Check out our collections!
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Benefits of Buying Vintage and Secondhand Jewelry
Benefits of Buying Vintage and Secondhand Jewelry written by Morgan Watkins
With the rise of thrift shopping and selling apps like Depop and Poshmark, buying vintage has never been easier. The rising population of vintage shoppers continues to grow for a number of reasons, thanks to the beauty of older jewelry and the much more affordable price tags of secondhand items. What more is there to love about shopping vintage? Read on to find out!
Not to be mistaken with antique jewelry, which is characteristically defined as accessories that are at least one century old (some say 75+ years old), vintage jewelry is at least 20+ years old. Of course, vintage jewelry eventually becomes antique once it reaches that 100 year milestone, but for now, let’s talk about pieces that are under this timeframe. With vintage accessories, fashion lovers can add a classic, old fashion flair to an otherwise simple, contemporary look. While these pieces may be a few decades old, they’re still fresh enough to work with more modern styling without sticking out like an ancient, sore thumb.
One of the most important aspects to consider when shopping secondhand is the green factor. When you buy used jewelry or vintage items that have been pre-owned, you are not only building a fabulous accessory arsenal, but you’re also helping out the planet. Fast fashion, or fashion that is produced rapidly and in great quantities, is made cheaply for the sake of adhering to current trends. These items fall apart and go out of style faster than you can say “fast fashion”, which leads to tons and tons of fashion goods building up in our landfills every year.
According to Remake, 80% of discarded textiles end up in the landfill or incinerator, with just 20% actually being utilized or recycled. These goods can take around 200 painstaking years to actually break down, which makes it imperative that we, as consumers, begin adopting more responsible and resourceful ways of consuming fashion, starting with secondhand shopping.
Not only is buying secondhand jewelry better for the planet, but it’s also easier on your wallet. With fine jewelry like sterling silver necklaces and solid gold bracelets coming in at such massive price tags, jumping on pre-owned items of the same materials gives you way more bang for your buck while still giving consumers the opportunity to own pieces made with fabulous gemstones and precious metals. Vintage jewelry can be a bit pricey depending on where you’re shopping, but talkingfashion.net has plenty of affordable vintage deals to check out!
With today’s minimalistic, modern styling taking over, it’s hard to find unique jewelry that truly showcase individualistic personal style. Vintage pieces, however, offer up plenty of personality to electrify any look. Art Deco styles and theatrical accessories will help set any It Girl apart from the crowd with colorful palettes, geometric shapes and a chic, throwback aesthetic. But on a more sentimental note, owning an older piece with its own rich story allows fashionistas to carry a bit of history with them wherever they go. Vintage jewelry can be passed on from generation to generation, and as pieces become older, they become valuable, beloved family antiques.
From going green to saving green, vintage and secondhand jewelry options are perfect staples for a closet that is socially conscious and responsible. Unique pieces add a dash of individualism along with a glimpse into decades passed, creating looks that are timeless while still remaining on trend. If you’d like to hop on the vintage bandwagon, head over to talkingfashion.net to browse hundreds of classic accessories and styles, and feel free to help out the environment by consigning with us!
References:
McCarthy, Allison. “Are Our Clothes Doomed for the Landfill?” Remake, 22 Mar. 2018, http://remake.world/uncategorized/are-our-clothes-doomed-for-the-landfill/. Rizvi, Fauzia.
“The Difference between Antique & Vintage Jewelry ...anyone Know?”LinkedIn, 30 May 2016, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/difference-between-antique-vintage-jewelry-anyone-know-fauzia-rizvi/.
