We'll call this category “Bridge jewelry”. The term Bridge stretches a wide band, but we will use it to mean jewelry that is between fine jewelry and regular costume jewelry. Think of jewelry that looks really expensive, but isn't. This includes “better” costume jewelry where attention to detail is very important. A quality made “look of real” piece set with cubic zirconia or semi-precious stones would be one example.

If you are looking for true wholesale pricing, you will generally be expected to be a volume purchaser. The best pricing will usually be obtained from companies that do not sell to the retail public.

All fashion jewelry is not the same - with a quick glance it may all look very similar - it's the details that set apart the high-end products from the low-end products. If you are looking for high-end “look of real” items, pay attention to the details.

The use of semi-precious stones and freshwater pearls in jewelry with high-quality settings such as gold or silver allows jewelry to be beautiful and affordable. A semi-precious stone is any genuine stone that can be cut and polished for use in jewelry that is not a diamond, ruby, sapphire, or emerald. Some popular semi-precious stones include garnet, amethyst, topaz, opal, peridot and aquamarine. The use of semi-precious stones increases the value of the jewelry (rather than using man-made stones) and appeals to customers searching for the beauty and uniqueness of genuine stones. To further enhance the high-end look, semi-precious stones should be set in a precious metal of either silver or gold.

“Look of Real” jewelry will use Cubic Zirconia rather than crystal, may cost more, but has many benefits over crystal. Cubic Zirconia and Crystal is available in clear and all colors. Both are a faceted and brilliant stone, but Cubic Zirconia visually looks like a diamond and crystals do not. Cubic Zirconia is a harder stone and better suited for everyday wear, whereas crystal is softer and better suited for dresswear. Cubic Zirconia can be cleaned like diamonds, but crystals require more delicate care, especially foil-backed crystals which should not get wet. Cubic Zirconia is always set like diamonds with prongs or channels in open back settings, they are never foil backed or set with epoxy like many crystals. A foil backed stone or glue set stone is always a crystal, although crystals can also be set with prongs or channels or fashioned with jumprings and beading wire.

Cubic Zirconia varies in quality, not because of the raw material, but due to the workmanship of the cutting and polishing when finishing the cut crystal. (More information on Cubic Zirconia is located on the Wholesale Cubic Zirconia page). For high end pieces, when the diamond look is wanted, Cubic Zirconia is used and preferably set in either gold or silver.

Crystals have a captivating brilliance and crystal jewelry can be very beautiful, however, crystals do not visually look like a diamond and would not be used for “look of real” jewelry. When looking for jewelry with a diamond look, look for jewelry set in gold or silver with Cubic Zirconia. Crystals are best suited for dresswear and evening wear. Many qualities of man made crystal are available, the premium cut crystal being made by Swarovski. (More information on Swarovski Crystal it is located on the Wholesale Swarovski Crystal page).

Bridge jewelry may use a variety of stones, but it will always be made with a precious metal, usually gold or silver. Any plated material would be classified as costume jewelry. (More information for costume jewelry on the Wholesale Costume Jewelry page).

This is where some of the details are apparent that sets bridge jewelry apart from costume jewelry. Because the jewelry is fashioned with precious metals like fine jewelry, the settings can have the same look and feel of fine jewelry. Just like a beautiful picture frame enhances a picture, a beautiful setting enhances the stones. Bridge jewelry will have stones set like genuine stones, with prongs and channels, not epoxy. Many times, the settings used for bridge jewelry are the same settings they use for fine jewelry, they just use semi-precious or man-made stones.