A great piece of jewellery can turn an outfit from drab to fab in a matter of seconds but it’s certainly not worth getting in to debt over. Inexpensive jewellery may not be easy to come by but it’s worth seeking out.
Here are the Money Maven’s top three tips for finding affordable jewels.
Search Party
Set aside a day to scour your local thrift stores, antique sellers and pawn shops. How often have you asked someone where they got that stunning, unique necklace and they’ve answered smugly, “it’s vintage,” or even, “$5 from a thrift store.” With a bit of time and patience, that smug answer could be yours. Just be prepared to go through a lot of less than appealing pieces to find the gem you’re after and don’t give up hope as you’re trawling through plastic necklaces and clip-on earrings.
It’s also worth checking out your local antique stores. While a lot of their stock will be expensive, there are always a few bargains in the mix and good barracking skills can get you far.
Pawn shops are similar, while a lot of their pieces can be more expensive than brand new, you’ll often encounter a deal that makes the search worth it. If it’s gold or gemstore jewellery you’re seeking, pawn shops will be the ticket, pawn brokers generally don’t have costume jewellery at all.
Surf the Web
It almost goes without saying that ebay.com.au is a fantastic source for inexpensive jewellery but there are some other sites you can check out if nothing on the online auction takes your fancy.
Etsy.com is a great place to find pieces from up-and-coming designers. Head to etsy.com and search around the jewellery listings. If you find a designer who really grabs your attention, you can generally get in contact with them and have a piece commissioned. Since they’re up-and-comers their prices are a lot lower but you’ll get exactly what you want.
Vintage sites like garypeppervintage.com have done the scouring of thrift stores for you and, in the case of Miss Gary Pepper, have even sourced pieces from vintage sellers around the world. Save yourself the hassle of a search by logging on. Most of her necklaces sell for around $45.
Justjewellery.com.au is a fantastic source for inexpensive jewellery and is set up to allow for very specific searches. Browse by category, gemstone, material and other. There are so many amazing pieces on this site and most fall under the $100 mark.
Recycle and Rejuvenate
If you’ve got a whole lot of old pieces lying around that you haven’t even looked at in years, it might be time to start thinking about using it to create something new.
If you’re handy, you can often create a whole new piece with pliers, wire cutters, glue and a few other materials. Search around the internet for how-to videos on making new charms, creating pieces from scratch or changing the little things you dislike about a piece.
If you’re not-so handy, your local jeweler might be able to help you out. Take your pieces in and tell them what you want. We’ve seen diamond rings turned into pretty diamond studs, a lone earring reinvented as a stunning charm and much more.
It’s all about getting creative!
Stay fabulous,
The Money Maven xoxo
