Imitation, fashion and artificial jewellery all mean jewellery made from non-precious materials, such as brass, copper or zinc alloy, finished with plating and set with glass, CZ or acrylic stones. The words differ mainly in where they are used and what style they suggest, not in how the pieces are made.
Knowing which term your market uses matters for product listings, search terms and customs descriptions.
How each term is used
- Imitation jewellery: the usual term in India and in customs language. It suggests pieces that copy the look of gold or diamond jewellery, such as bridal sets and AD necklaces.
- Artificial jewellery: a common Indian and South Asian term for the same goods, often used by wholesalers and in domestic markets.
- Fashion jewellery: the term most used in the US, UK, Europe and Australia. It suggests trend-led designs that change each season, rather than copies of fine jewellery.
- Costume jewellery: an older Western term, still used in the US, for the same category.
What they have in common
Whatever the name, the product is built the same way. A base metal is cast or stamped into shape, polished, plated with a thin layer of gold, rhodium or another finish, and then set with stones. Some pieces get an anti-tarnish lacquer on top.
The quality range is wide under every name. A well-made brass piece with thick plating and a protective coating can last for years, while a thinly flashed alloy piece may fade within weeks. The label tells you nothing about which you are getting.
Why the wording matters
For customs, imitation jewellery has its own heading in the Harmonized System (7117), separate from precious metal jewellery (7113). Describing goods clearly on the invoice avoids questions at the border.
For selling, use the words your customers type. A shopper in London searches for fashion jewellery or gold-plated earrings, while a buyer in the Indian diaspora may search for artificial or imitation jewellery sets. Be honest about materials and plating in either case.
What this means for a buyer
Do not choose a supplier by the label they use. Ask for the base metal, the plating type and thickness, the stone type and any coating, and put those in your specification.
Creston & Co works for buyers only, for a fixed fee agreed in writing. We confirm materials at the workshop, check plating and finish, and have samples tested at NABL-accredited labs. Start with a free sourcing review.