Imitation, costume and fashion jewellery are often overlapping names for jewellery made with non-precious materials.
The difference is usually how a piece is described, rather than a fixed standard of quality.
To understand what you are buying, look at its base material, surface finish, decorative elements and construction.
That distinction matters when comparing prices. The category name gives you a starting point. The details of the piece help you decide whether it is worth the price to you.
Imitation vs costume vs fashion jewellery
In everyday retail use, these terms often describe similar products.
- Imitation jewellery commonly refers to alternatives to precious-metal jewellery, including designs that recreate a gold or gemstone look.
- Costume jewellery is an established fashion term for decorative pieces made from materials such as brass, glass and imitation pearls.
- Fashion jewellery puts the emphasis on style.
| Label | Usual emphasis | What to check beyond the name |
|---|---|---|
| Imitation jewellery | An alternative to precious-metal jewellery or its appearance. | The actual base metal, stones and finish. |
| Costume jewellery | Decorative jewellery made for fashion and adornment. | How the piece is made and finished. |
| Fashion jewellery | The design and its place in fashion. | The full material description and construction. |
Artificial jewellery is another commonly used name. Fashion jewellery can also be used more broadly, so the material description remains important. None of these labels, by itself, establishes that a piece is better made than another.
Costume jewellery has a long design history. The Victoria and Albert Museum documents Chanel’s use of imitation pearls, glass and gilded metal, with costume pieces offered in her boutiques from the early 1920s.
In India, CBIC documents identify imitation jewellery under trade heading 7117. This is a goods classification, not a quality certificate.
Image: CBIC-hosted Notification 9/2025.
What you are actually buying
A finished piece can combine several materials. Reading them separately makes the description easier to understand.
The base material
This forms the body of the jewellery. Brass is a metal used in costume jewellery; glass, beads and other materials may also form parts of a design. A gold-coloured surface does not tell you what is underneath it.
Look for a specific material rather than a general phrase such as “quality metal”.
Check out our collection: Women's and Men's Collection.
The surface finish
Gold tone describes colour. Gold plating describes a layer of gold applied to a surface. In “22KT gold-plated brass”, brass is the base and the karat number describes the gold used in the coating.
It does not tell you the coating’s thickness. The FTC’s jewellery buying guide explains that plating wear depends on thickness and how the piece is worn.
The decorative materials
Glass, crystals and imitation pearls can create different effects. A stone’s colour or a trade name may leave its actual material unclear.
Likewise, imitation, natural and cultured pearls are different descriptions. Ask for clarification when the listing does not specify which is used.
A hallmark serves another purpose. BIS explains that its hallmarking scheme concerns gold and silver purity.
Assess brass jewellery through its stated materials and making details rather than expecting a precious-metal hallmark.
Why jewellery in the same category can have different prices
Knowing that two pieces are made from brass does not make them equivalent.
They may use different finishes, decorative materials or amounts of assembly work. The price can also reflect customisation and the services included with the order.
India’s Development Commissioner Handicrafts describes costume jewellery production involving design sketches, artisans and techniques such as handcrafting and casting. This helps explain why the value of a finished piece includes more than its base material.
| Part of the price | What may differ | What to ask or compare |
|---|---|---|
| Design and construction | Shape, number of components, moving parts and assembly. | Close views of the front, back and connections. |
| Finish and decoration | The coating and the materials used for decorative elements. | The stated finish, stone type and available coating details. |
| Custom work | Changes to size, colour, matching pieces or a feasible design. | What the quote includes and the production timeline. |
These are possible reasons for a price difference, not proof that every expensive piece is better. Compare similar specifications and ask the seller to explain any details that matter to you. A clear answer is more useful than a category label or a large discount.
Two brass jewellery examples from D Jewel
Our Blue Peacock Jharokha earrings and Classic Pearl Drop Solitaire earrings both list brass as their base metal. Their appearance and proportions are very different.
Left: Blue Peacock Jharokha earrings. Right: Classic Pearl Drop Solitaire earrings. Images from D-Jewel Gallery.
| Detail | Blue Peacock Jharokha | Classic Pearl Drop Solitaire |
|---|---|---|
| Base metal | Brass | Brass |
| Listed appearance or finish | Silver-toned appearance | 22KT gold plating |
| Listed length | 3 inches, approximately 7.6 cm | 3.5 cm |
| Visible design | Peacock motif, arched frame, blue accents and hanging charms. | A compact drop with a clear decorative element and a pearl-look drop. |
The peacock design has a longer drop with several visible components. The pearl design uses a smaller shape and a gold-plated setting.
This comparison shows why a shared base metal tells only part of the story. It helps you compare design and specifications; it does not establish a durability ranking between the two pairs.
How we make jewellery at D Jewel
We begin with references and develop the design using 3D software.
We work with raw brass, using wax modelling for selected pieces. The components are buffed and polished, with 22KT gold polish used on certain pieces and a rhodium finish on others.
We select decorative materials for each design, including Korean and Japanese stones, Japanese pearls and onyx.
Our karigars carefully fit and assemble components across our jewellery and accessories.
Button covers are one example: the hinges are fitted manually and the stones are carefully placed. Every finished piece undergoes a quality check.
This work helps explain what goes into the price of a finished piece. Alongside its materials, you are paying for the design, preparation, assembly and finishing involved.
Button covers are one example of D-Jewel’s handwork. Actual frames from our workshop.
Check out the collection: Shirt Button Covers
What to check before you buy?
Use these five questions to turn a general label into a clearer purchase decision:
- What is it made from? Check the base material and the decorative elements.
- What is the finish? Separate a gold or silver colour from a stated plating.
- How is it put together? Ask for a back view and close photographs of closures and attachments.
- Will the size suit me? Check measurements and weight, particularly for large earrings or necklace sets.
- What does the order include? Read the delivery and exchange terms; confirm the scope and price of custom work.
Care is part of the decision too. Read the seller’s instructions for the finish you choose. Our jewellery care guide covers care for D-Jewel pieces.
Common questions about jewellery labels
1. Is fashion jewellery better than costume jewellery
The word “fashion” does not establish higher quality. Compare the actual materials, finish and construction of the individual pieces.
2. Is gold plated brass jewellery made from gold
Its base is brass with a gold layer on the surface. A listing that says 22KT gold-plated brass is describing the coating, not a piece made throughout from 22KT gold.
3. Is imitation jewellery worth buying
It can be worth buying when the design, materials and order terms suit your needs and budget. Judge the particular piece and the information provided about it.
What we create at D-Jewel Gallery?
At D-Jewel, we create artisan-made jewellery to suit your style and the occasions you dress for.
For us the words imitation, costume and fashion describe a category; they do not decide what we create.
We focus on the design, selected materials and the work of our karigars, so a piece can bring the elegance, boldness or charm you are looking for.
Here's few examples,
For a bold occasion look, our Green Pear Stone Long Necklace Set combines cascading pear-shaped green stones with white detailing and matching drop earrings.
The long arrangement makes colour and scale central to the design.
Our Pearl Choker Necklace Set with Red Drops takes a different approach: a white pearl collar with red teardrop accents.
Its shorter shape frames the neckline, bringing colour and movement to a festive or wedding look.
Two D-Jewel designs for different occasion looks: a cascading green necklace and a pearl choker with red drops.
The value of a piece lies in the complete design and the work that brings it together.
Whether it uses precious materials or is described as imitation, jewellery can become part of how you express yourself.
We want you to choose it with a clear understanding of its materials and making, and enjoy wearing something that feels like you.
Feel like customizing with us?
If you have a particular colour, size or occasion in mind, share your reference through our customisation page so we can discuss feasible options. Or you can also contact us on our WhatsApp.
Check out our new videos and launch on Instagram. Click to view and follow us on Insatgram.
