Why do we need to rethink the value of fashion jewelry?

There is a quiet hierarchy in the world of adornment, one that has long placed fine jewelry on a pedestal, shimmering with the prestige of precious metals and stones. But somewhere beneath that velvet rope lies another universe: one built not of carats, but of creativity. This is the world of fashion jewelry.

There’s a common misconception that jewelry is only valuable if it’s made of gold, platinum, or diamonds. But some of the most iconic pieces in fashion history were never meant to be locked in safes; they were made to be seen, worn, and felt.

Fashion jewelry — often dismissed as decorative or disposable- is in fact a bold and intentional art form. It may not carry the weight of carats, but it holds the weight of meaning. These are the pieces that punctuate eras, define silhouettes, and bring life to a look. Think of a Chanel chain, a Schiaparelli ear cuff, or a playful YSL heart-shaped clip-on. Not heirlooms in the traditional sense, but unforgettable all the same.

While fine jewelry speaks of tradition and permanence, fashion jewelry speaks of now. Of expression. Of identity. It mirrors cultural shifts, political moods, and aesthetic rebellion. It allows the wearer to experiment, transform, and express who they are, without the gatekeeping of precious stones.

There is artistry in fashion jewelry. In its design. In its daring. In the way it captures imagination without relying on luxury pricing. These pieces may be made of brass, resin, or enamel, but they are no less powerful. In fact, their strength often lies in their accessibility, in their immediacy, in their courage to be different.

It lives in the moment — bold, expressive, and unapologetically visible. It is democratic by nature and artistic by intention. A brooch by Schiaparelli, a pair of resin hearts by YSL, a gilded choker by Chanel — these are not simply accessories. They are design statements, visual provocations, wearable art.

Fashion jewelry may lack the material value of its fine counterparts, but it more than compensates through cultural impact. It captures the silhouette of a decade, the spirit of a woman, and the rhythm of the times. It may not be made for eternity, but it defines the present. And that, too, is worthy of reverence.

We don’t remember icons by their diamonds; we remember them by their presence. By the shapes they chose to wear. By the stories they told through color, form, and silhouette. Fashion jewelry is not less. It is simply different — and in many ways, just as essential.

Do you agree?
I’d love to hear your thoughts.

xoxo,
Wendy