If you are the type of person who can’t wait for Saturday night to come around so you can put on your favorite little black dress and head out on the town, you most likely also keep up with the latest fashion trends, know about all the cutting edge fashion designers, and are always looking for the hottest new styles in jewelry and accessories.
While most fashion items can be purchased affordably, when it comes to jewelry it can be hard to find just the right pieces without spending a fortune. See below for five creative jewelry ideas that will help add a touch of glamour to your next night out without putting a dent in your bank account.
Vintage or Antique Jewelry
Vintage and antique necklaces, rings, bracelets and earrings are not only often less expensive than similar pieces would be if you were buying them new, wearing vintage or antique jewelry is also a great way to express your individuality because few people, if any, will own the same pieces as you. Vintage and antique jewelry can be found in a wide range of places as well which can make shopping for it a fun adventure. You can find great vintage and antique pieces online at websites like Etsy and Ruby Lane, as well as at antiques stores, flea markets, thrift shops and yard sales. Some jewelers also carry a number of antique and vintage pieces.
Hip Hop Jewelry
If you are a fan of bold urban looks, hip hop jewelry might be for you. Gold Urban is a low-cost hip hop jewelry e-commerce site where you can find some great deals on all kinds of necklaces, chains, bracelets, pendants and rings in either yellow gold or white gold. The Cuban link chain by Gold Urban is one of the site’s most popular items. Gold Urban’s “Bundles” tab offers some great deals on items such as matching necklaces and bracelets. The site offers free shipping on orders of $50 or more as well as a lifetime warranty on all the items it sells.
Handmade Pieces
Whether you make them yourself or buy handmade rings, bracelets, earrings or necklaces from an artist, wearing handmade jewelry is a great way to show off your personal style. Although some handmade pieces can be quite expensive — depending on the materials they are made from, where they are purchased, and who made them — many items are surprisingly affordable, especially if you buy them directly from the person who made them or learn to make jewelry yourself.
Several online shops allow you to browse and purchase items directly from artists. Handmade jewelry can also be found at art galleries, museum shops, craft shows and flea markets. If you are interested in learning to make your own jewelry, college art departments, community centers and local artist cooperatives sometimes offer classes. There are also many books and online resources available for people who want to learn about jewelry making.
Budget Friendly Name Brands
All of us have favorite staple jewelry items that we reach for again and again because they seem to go with everything. Some of these items like glamorous jeweled stud earrings or simple hoops, basic gold and silver charm necklaces and pendants, and simple gold and silver rings — with or without jewels — can be purchased from low cost companies offering the same good quality jewelry as some of the more expensive brands. Look for budget friendly brand names like 8 Other Reasons, Kenneth Jay Lane, BaubleBar, Cinco and Argento Vivo for quality jewelry at prices ranging from about $15 to $250.
Organize a Jewelry Swap
Everyone has jewelry that they don’t particularly like or don’t wear for one reason or another. Rather than letting your unwanted rings, bracelets and earrings languish in your jewelry box, try organizing a jewelry swap with your friends. Swaps are a great way for you and your friends to acquire new jewelry that you’ll love to wear while cleaning out pieces that are taking up valuable space. When you add some delicious appetizers and a couple bottles of wine, a jewelry swap can also be a great way for you and your friends to enjoy a girls’ night out at very little cost.
To keep things fair, swaps are often arranged so that trades must be of equal value. So, a necklace that is worth approximately $100 could be traded for another item of the same or similar value, or for two or more items that approximately equal its value.