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Sometimes we need to search the world over for amazing fashion jewelry. It’s not hard to do these days as certain countries have emmerged triumphant in being the best provider of quality pieces. The economic environment in these countries, combined with labor rates allow for shoppers to find higher quality gemstones and metals at much lower costs than in Europe or the United States.
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Fashion Jewelry from China
China has been known to produce several jewelry stars for a very long time. Their fashion jewelry has taken cues from their higher end jewelry pieces and features lower end or imitation versions of the original. In China, pearls have always been at the forefront of the jewelry trade and highly revered because of their culture meaning and appreciation. In Chinese culture pearls reflect hidden beauty and can be found in all shapes, sizes and colors. Natural pearls can be very expensive but the Chinese have begun creating truly spectacular synthetic pearls to either be sold as fashion jewelry necklaces by themselves or incorporated into more intricate individual pieces. reflect hidden beauty and can be found in all shapes, sizes and colors. Natural pearls can be very expensive but the Chinese have begun creating truly spectacular synthetic pearls to either be sold as fashion jewelry necklaces by themselves or incorporated into more intricate individual pieces.
In the past silver, was the most popular precious metal to be used in jewelry design. Though still desirable, gold has become increasingly more popular for its rich color and shine. In some fashion jewelry pieces you may see that the metal is real gold or silver but in many cases the cost of the pieces has become more reasonable with the use of a filler metal that is then covered or plated in sterling silver or 18K gold.
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In searching to find even more economical materials for great looking fashion jewelry, China has also turned to working with steel to provide the shimmer and shine for more basic pieces. It has won popularity by rivaling silver in its durability while still being able to provide as similar look, feel and weight.
What has grown faster than the use of steel in China is the demand for diamonds as the market, once held by African countries, looks to find alternative sources. The boom of the diamond industry in China took the jewelers by surprise and it’s not unusual to see that affect the fashion jewelry world. As great designs are created using real diamonds the desire to have similar items for a lower cost have driven customers to seek reproductions.
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Jewelry from Korea
The greatest competitor that China has in the jewelry world is without a doubt Korea. Korea has stolen some of the limelight from its neighbor, China, as the demand for Korean gold products has increased greatly over the last few years.
The two countries have gone back and forth over decades taking turns leading the jewelry industry in gold production and fashion jewelry making. Right now, Korea is the clear leader as China takes time to focus on their more popular silver and steel metal work.
Korea also provides less intense competition to China in their jade sales. Each country has its own specialty when it comes to jade fashion jewelry with Korea focusing more on the white jades than China’s green.
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Korea is, however, more known for precious stones than their metal work. In Korea, semiprecious stones like amethyst and topaz have created beautiful alternatives to rubies, sapphires and emeralds. Topaz comes in such a wide variety of colors and is so plentiful that they provide a benefit of meeting a middle ground between using glass beads versus precious stones in fashion jewelry. It is the least expensive of all semi-precious stones. The most popular colors of topaz in Korea tend toward the smoky side with uniquely shimmering brown hues. Whether shopping online or at the markets in Korea, the amount of topaz fashion jewelry is astounding and shoppers can usually find whatever they want.
Amethyst, part of the quartz family, is also one of the least expensive semi-precious stones and when cut very well can really shine and catch light amazingly. As with any gemstone, the darker the color the higher the prices and the quantity of gemstones coming out of Korea provides good selections. Amethyst takes a back seat to the topaz however because they are much softer as a stone and therefore more susceptible to damage.
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Thailand Jewelry
Precious stones such as rubies and sapphires are surprisingly inexpensive in Thailand. Jewelers in Thailand, namely Bangkok, have cornered the market on cutting stones to create gorgeous end products. Because of the prolific amount of stones available in the country and the skilled labor with which to create the pieces, finding fashion jewelry with high end stones like rubies is not that difficult to do. Major jewelry stores in the United States and Europe have been importing the stones from Thailand for quite some time. The market is vast and the demand is high. This is not to say that you can’t find great deals on fashion jewelry with rubies and sapphires. What is most important in getting a great deal on this fashion jewelry is knowing the right supplier to go to that will get you the lowest price.
A popular trend right now that is helping the Thai jewelry industry to thrive is the use of nontraditional stones in engagement and wedding rings. Various shades of sapphires, from traditional blue to yellow to pink, are being sought in Thailand as a less expensive version of the diamond ring. This trend allows for a big and brighter ring at a fraction of the cost that would be paid for a diamond solitaire. For example, in Thailand an exceptional quality 2 carat yellow sapphire would cost about $1,000 where as a 2 carat yellow diamond in the United States would cost close to $15,000. This cost difference has also made Thailand a popular exporter for fashion jewelry cocktail rings. The rings are flawless and provide a much more sophisticated look than rhinestones.
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Thailand’s selection of gemstones is big and shoppers can find great custom pieces that jewelers will make for them once they have chosen the stone and the type of setting. Working in such a way with suppliers can guarantee the exact desired piece of fashion jewelry that can be treasured for years to come.
Depending on what you’re looking for and how much you’re willing to spend, the fashion jewelry coming from these countries is readily available anywhere in the world but the specific countries can also provide a memorable shopping experience, as well.
Naroka.com offers a buying service in which we travel trade shows, visit factories and jewelry manufacturers, and source fashion jewelry around the world. If you are interested in utilizing this service and save thousand of dollars in traveling fees and sourcing headaches, please contact us for detailed information or visit our buying services page.
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