It’s kind of cute, though also misleading, that this rhinestone multi-coloured link bracelet by Shabby Apple is described by them as “gemstone studded.” I would hope no one would be fooled into thinking that this USD $46 piece of costume jewellery, fun as it is, is made of precious or semi-precious stones.
For what it is, it’s a fun, carnival like piece that will add a lot of colour and pizazz to your look….as long as you aren’t expecting the Hope Diamond.
IntoTemptation.....jewellery musings 
FAUX VS REAL We’re smack dab in a time where genuine gems can be mimiced impeccably. Hmm…it’s quite a conundrum for high end designers who pour heavy duty bucks into their artwork/wares. For instance, the sapphire appears in nature in every color of the rainbow.
This bracelet uses that knowledge, creating the “carnival” colors we see. These are either Swarovski crystals or very tiny cubic zirconia, all cut to resemble the real thing. It would be very possible to create the exact look in fine sapphires and say 18K gold. Only the wearer really knows, but time will show the difference. The real variety will not fade over time. It will have the weight and feel of fine jewelry. And, it can be heirloomed for generations, particulary if it wasn’t produced in a Hong Kong sweatshop.
Where will this debacle take fine jewelry over time? Will fine buyers opt out in favor of “costume.?” I for one sincerely hope not. If you’ve ever held a quality piece of jewelry made of any precious metal, even silver, you will discern why and why not. This little bracelet, paved with “gems” over a pot metal medium is quite pretty. Buy it, wear it, then throw it away when it loses its glint. Then go buy something created wonderfully by a real designer to stand the test of time. Okay, I will descend from my soap box now.
“Buy it, wear it, then throw it away when it loses its glint.” Yes, this is the prevailing thinking today. It has heavily affected the pricing and desirability of well made high end vintage costume jewellery as well, much of which was designed by men and women with a fine jewellery background. Although the price of gold has fallen substantially in the past year, retailers of fine jewellery continue to have hefty price hikes, often several times a year. Even 10 and 14k gold is now out of reach for a lot of people so cheap and cheerful wins.