Our adorable Fern’s Flying Pig Cocktail Ring is going to have to share the spotlight! We figured that Fern needed a friend, so we’re pleased to introduce…Wilbur! Little Wilbur can’t fly on wings of bling like Fern, but he more than makes up for it in charm. Wilbur the Pig’s Pave CZ Cocktail Ring is the perfect accessory to keep Fern company. We think he might be even cuter than his flying friend, but ssssh – don’t let Fern hear you say that! With Wilbur on one hand and Fern on the other, you can be pretty in pig all day long.

Not into these sassy swine rings? Not a problem! We have animal cocktail rings of all sorts, from deep sea fish rings to bright eyed owl rings. No matter which animal cocktail ring you rock, you’re sure to be in style with these zany zoo fashions…

In the past, a traditional diamond engagement band was the standard for engagement jewelry. If you were low on money, you could substitute a plain gold ring or silver eternity band, or possibly your class ring. Those were pretty much the only socially acceptable options for engaged couples, but not anymore! Now, men and women are expressing their individuality with unique jewelry, including new types of engagement rings, and also engagement necklaces, engagement bracelets, and even engagement tattoos. The sentiment is the same, but the style has definitely changed…

The traditional diamond engagement ring will forever be in fashion, but in today’s economy, it’s not always a feasible choice. CZ engagement rings provide a wide range of gorgeous styles, and no one needs to know that it’s faux! We always suggest that the person who proposes makes sure the recipient is aware that it’s not a real diamond – but beyond that, it can be your little secret. You don’t have to choose a solitaire CZ engagement ring, though. Our three stone rings and past-present-future rings are symbolic and stunning! The first stone represents the past that you have shared, the center stone represents the present, and the third stone represents your future together. This romantic style is sure to please, and it’s available with round, oval, princess, and asscher cut stones.

Colored stones are also big in the world of engagement rings – diamonds (real or fake) are showing up in hues like bright pink, elegant sapphire, and rich canary. Princess Diana kicked off the trend with her unique sapphire royal engagement ring, and celebrities in recent years have opted for other bright colors. Jennifer Lopez, Nicole Richie, Portia de Rossi, Mariah Carey, and Katie Price all wore pink diamond engagement rings, and Heidi Klum, Pamela Anderson, and Paris Hilton all rocked canary rings on their left ring fingers. Emerald, amethyst, ruby, and pearls are also excellent choices for non-traditional engagement rings.

If you prefer something less flashy, a simple eternity band is always a nice choice. The circle of stones represents the never-ending circle of love, which is a lovely sentiment for an engagement ring. A silver eternity band without stones has the same symbolism, and is a sweet, minimalist way to show your commitment. Another option is an infinity ring or infinity necklace. The infinity symbol (looks like a sideways figure eight) means just what it sounds like – love for all infinity. A sterling silver infinity ring is the perfect way to combine this symbol with the traditional engagement ring concept, but a sterling silver infinity necklace is equally beautiful! You can even get an infinity necklace made with two intertwined heart shapes! The heart infinity necklace combines these two powerful symbols of everlasting love into one unique necklace.

A real or faux diamond solitaire necklace is another way to wear a solitaire engagement stone. CZ diamond solitaire necklaces are available in a variety of cuts, so you can choose the one that best matches your style. For a romantic twist, try a pearl solitaire necklace instead! Other symbols, such as hearts, clovers, or flowers, can have personal meaning for you and your partner as well. An Algerian love knot represents joy, wealth, and health, which echos many traditional wedding vows. You can even go for a whimsical look, and wear a frog prince pendant to show that you finally found your prince after kissing plenty of frogs! Another unique option is to wear small number pendants that combine to form your anniversary date, or your partner’s birthday.

One of the more recent trends is the engagement bracelet. You can opt for a a simple silver bangle that is engraved with a symbolic word like “Bliss” or “Joy“, or a more complex charm bracelet. Charm bracelets can come “pre-loaded” with heart, star, or lock and key charms, which can all represent your love and devotion. Each year on your anniversary you can add a new charm that represents the time that you have shared together – it’s the gift that keeps on giving! You can also try a set of three bangle bracelets - we have sets of stackable bracelets, and intertwined bangles. These go perfectly with our tri-color trinity jewelry, which has three tones to represent three aspects of love. The first (gold) is for friendship, the second (rose gold) is for love, and the third (white gold) is for fidelity. Emitations has trinity rings, trinity necklaces, and trinity bracelets which capture the tri-color style.

There’s one more unique engagement “ring” trend that we just had to comment on – engagement ring tattoos! Many couples are choosing to have their ring fingers tattooed with a design that has personal symbolism. It can be made to look just like a real ring, or it can be a patterned design, a name, or an anniversary. A thin tattoo around the ring finger can be hidden by an actual ring if you are in conservative company, and larger tattoos can sometimes bleed or get blurry with time. So, if you’re going for a tattooed engagement ring, we suggest small and discrete! Some people are all about big and bold tattoos, though, so choose the style and shape that you’re most comfortable with. Some couples choose to get white ink tattoos, which are more discrete and have a pale, lacy look. These types of tattoos shouldn’t be exposed to much sunlight, so we suggest having an engagement ring to wear over it once the healing is complete.

There’s no limit to the different types of alternative engagement jewelry that you can wear! Once you decide that you won’t be restrained by traditional definitions of engagement bling, a whole world of options opens up. Emitations is here to help with whatever type of jewelry you prefer, from a solitaire CZ engagement ring to a sterling silver infinity necklace. We even have a variety of eternity bands in different widths, which can be worn as engagement ring or as a cover-up for your engagement ring tattoo! The most important factor to consider is how the jewelry fits with your personality, and how it coordinates with the story of your love. If you met while traveling in France, try a fleur de lis ring or fleur de lis necklace. If you consider your spouse to be your lucky charm, try a horseshoe necklace. If you just want to represent a never-ending circle of love, try our trinity rolling rings. No matter what you choose, Emitations has the best selection – and prices! – for your alternative engagement jewelry.

Pantone has released their fall 2009 color palette, and we’re loving the harvest inspired hues! From warm earth tones to rich neutrals, these shades provide the perfect background for autumn inspired jewelry. Chocolate, olive, citrine, plum, maple, and garnet are gorgeous for fall, and chunky chains tie the theme together. Emitations has bling to compliment every color in Pantone’s crayon box!

Cocktail rings make it easy for you to coordinate with the fall palette. Olive CZs and chocolate hued CZs are affordable and fun, especially when set in gold plated sterling silver. Maple and plum colored jewelry items are also excellent choices – basically, if it sounds like a food item, it will probably work for the upcoming season!

Layered necklaces, knotted chains, and coordinated necklace/earrings sets give you more bang for your buck, and they allow you to create multiple styles with just one or two pieces. Jewelry with mixed metals or clusters of multi-colored stones are also great for autumn. Dangle drop and chandelier earrings are a fun, easy way to achieve this look…and when you shop at Emitations, you can get the look for less!

Keep an eye on the fashion magazines throughout summer – they’re always about a season ahead, and you can see what outfits you’re going to need to accessorize. Our best advice for wearing the fall color palette is to simply have fun with it! These rich, indulgent shades flatter all skin tones and hair colors, so there are plenty of options that will work for every woman. Plus, the prices at Emitations are so low that you have no excuse not to stock up…

Did you know that the peace sign is 50 years old? Join us in saying happy birthday to this enduring symbol, by shopping peace sign jewelry from Emitations.com! The simple peace sign shape was originally designed to represent the British nuclear disarmament movement, but it took on whole new life once it reached college students in the US. Suddenly, in the midst of the Vietnam War and national upheaval, the peace sign was everywhere!

It started as a simple button – just a white pin with a black peace sign. The buttons were distributed at peace rallys and war protests, and soon the shape was popping up on shirts, posters, hats, and jewelry. The symbol has never gone out of fashion, which indicates that people and pop culture have a desire for world peace even today. The current incarnations of the peace sign come in many different styles – from bold graphic prints to fine jewelry. The days of tie-dye tees and black light posters aren’t gone, though – nearly every college campus has at least a few at any given time!

Some people feel that we need to wear peace signs more than ever these days. Americans are still overseas fighting wars, and domestic issues such as racial discrimination and violence are still unfortunately very common. So how can you can sport this powerful sign in a stylish way? By wearing gleaming sterling silver peace sign jewelry from Emitations, of course! You’re sure to be in good company when you wear peace sign jewelry – celebrities love this trend! Drew Barrymore, Miley Cyrus, Joss Stone, Dakota Fanning, Minnie Driver, Selena Gomez, Lindsay Lohan, Jessica Biel, and our First Lady, Michelle Obama, have all been seen sporting peace sign jewelry. These celebs, young and old, love peace sign necklaces, peace sign rings, peace sign bracelets, and peace sign earrings!

What type of peace sign jewelry is right for you? A pair of sparkling peace sign earrings can be subtle and sophisticated, and peace sign necklaces are a popular choice. A peace sign bracelet can be casual or glam, and a peace sign ring is a unique way to show off your peaceful style. Try pairing any kind of peace sign jewelry with a vintage tee and jeans, or a little black dress. Whatever way to wear it, you’re making a statement you can be proud of when you rock peace sign jewelry!

Once upon a time, jewelry was only available for the very rich, the very famous, and the very royal. These pieces of jewelry tended to be lavish, ornate, and priceless. The accessories usually included a multitude of real diamonds and gemstones, which were set in precious metals. The one-of-a-kind designs were intended to stay within the family for generations, so accessories were often limited to family heirlooms and royal jewels. Some members of the upper class elite would purchase jewelry that was strictly decorative, but those items were still expensive and unique.

Costume jewelry – specifically, jewelry made from rhinestones, paste, or glass stones, set in base metals or plated metal – has existed since at least the 18th century. In those days, however, costume jewelry was generally used by the upper classes as replacements or duplicates of their expensive original items. As the middle class gradually emerged in Europe, unique costume jewelry designs became more prevalent. Some famous jewelry items were reproduced for these consumers, but most costume jewelry was easily recognized as being a faux fashion item.

Costume jewelry came into its own with the advent of the Industrial Revolution. Mass production and assembly lines changed how people around the world worked and interacted. The advent of the printing press opened up communications, and suddenly people were able to keep track of what others thought, said, and even wore. Costume jewelry was able to be mass produced in the early 20th century, and there was a boom in the market as popular designs were sold to people in all economic classes. The lower price point and wide availability allowed even the working class to accent their outfits with a bit of bling!

At this point, costume jewelry was generally designed to be worn with only one or two specific outfits (or costumes, thus the name). This was in sharp contrast to the fine jewelry that was available, which was considered to be more of an investment. Costume jewelry wasn’t considered to be particularly valuable, and it wasn’t usually kept within the family and passed down as a keepsake. As industrialization continued, the average woman was able to acquire a collection of mix and match costume jewelry items that were expected to be discarded, re-sold, or fashioned into new jewelry pieces.

The Art Deco movement was a pivotal time for costume jewelry, as designers tried to balance beautiful designs against the impersonal nature of mass produced items. Many people felt that producing accessories via assembly lines detracted from the inherent beauty and unique nature of jewelry. Art Deo was an effort to find the middle ground in this debate, and gorgeous jewelry resulted from this era! The multitude of new designs helped to provide the balance – mass producing unique styles offered women a huge, varied selection of costume jewelry to choose from. There were finally enough options available – in different price ranges – to allow any woman to create a personalized, individual look.

If one person were to be credited with the popularity of costume jewelry, it would have to be Coco Chanel. She opened a salon in Paris that was dedicated to accessories and jewelry, and she took a new approach to accessories. She mixed faux and fine jewelry as the perfect “finishing touch” to outfits, and started a costume jewelry craze that never went out of style. Her elegant, feminine, and fashion forward designs still reign in the world of haute couture. Celebrities quickly took note of the costume jewelry trend, which in turn inspired the everyday woman to accessorize with faux items.

Modern costume jewelry encompasses all of the best aspects of costume jewelry throughout history. Women today can choose from reproductions of famous royal jewels, or buy backups of personal jewelry that has high monetary or sentimental value. Modern costume jewelry is made from the basics of the past – such as rhinestones and onyx – but also from higher quality materials like cubic zirconia and simulated gemstones. Plus, the advent of the internet has had a huge impact in the world of costume jewelry. Women of the past had nothing compared to the selection of styles available now! Even high fashion designers and the wealthy elite enjoy the versatility and availability of costume jewelry. Costume jewelry is still the best way for women from all walks of life to enjoy a full collection of gorgeous accessories!

Our customers expect our CZ stones to be every bit as brilliant as real diamonds, and we’re happy to oblige. We’re always looking for CZ jewelry that is high quality and convincing, so we were thrilled to find this new collection of CZ stud earrings! Our new CZ studs capture everything you love about our current selection, but they have a little something special to set them apart. The quality of the materials is incredible – from the believable, sparkling CZs to the sterling silver and gold plated sterling silver posts, prongs, and settings.

Speaking of the settings…our new CZ studs all have unique stone settings that provide an extra bit of shimmer. Some are set with beaded sterling silver that begs to be touched, and others are accented with scrolls, loops, and fancy prongs. There are so many choices that you might have a hard time deciding on one pair! How do you know which pair of CZ studs to try? We can’t choose for you, but we can certainly give you more details to make your decision. Just a warning, though – after seeing all these gorgeous studs, you might find it even more difficult to choose just one pair!

Customers are already buzzing about our heart setting CZ stud earrings, which have a romantic detail that isn’t always noticeable at first glance. Kasey’s Two Tone Heart Setting CZ Stud Earrings have rose gold plated heart outlines positioned between each prong, for just a flash of feminine style. Janelle’s Heart Setting 2 TCW CZ Stud Earrings feature 1 carat, round cut CZs that are set within a heart pattern border. The heart outlines alternate from right side up to upside down, and the top curves and bottom points of the shapes hold the stones in place. They’re also available in both sterling silver and gold plated sterling silver, so they’re sure to match whatever is already in your jewelry box.

Some of our CZ studs have tiny faux diamonds that are either bezel or pave set within the prongs and setting, for more sparkle than a standard pair of studs. These petite CZ stones can be as small as .01 carats, but they still capture the light and upgrade the studs to something truly spectacular. Another popular style is the CZ crown setting. With this option, the entire setting forms the shape of a crown, with the points extending into prongs that hold the stone. These unique studs are perfect for gifting to pageant contestants, prom queens, or anyone who considers themselves royalty!

Most of our new CZ studs are round cut, but we do have some that are cushion and emerald cut. Keep an eye on our new arrival sections to see additional styles, coming soon! Our round cut studs have center stones that range from a believable .75 carats per earring, to an extraordinary 2 carats per earring. Each round CZ has an exclusive hearts and arrows cut that you can find in high quality, precision cut real diamonds. CZ hearts and arrows are less noticeable than those on real diamonds, but they still indicate a balanced and symmetrical quality stone. When viewed from above, you can see fiery arrowhead shapes around the crown of the stone. If viewed from below, you can see heart shapes around the crown. These are more noticeable in loose stones that haven’t been set in jewelry, but a discerning eye can distinguish the hearts and arrows in both real and faux diamonds.

Whether you prefer a simple, believable pair of studs with subtle styling  – like Robyn’s 2 TCW Bezel Accent CZ Stud Earrings – or a spectacular pair of large studs – like Kristine’s 4 TCW Crown Setting CZ Stud Earrings – Emitations has the best CZ studs for you to choose from! Besides being the perfect present to buy yourself, they also work incredibly well as gifts for others. The heart setting studs are particularly appropriate as romantic gifts for a special anniversary or birthday, and our authentic looking faux diamond studs are great for graduates. No matter who sports these studs – or where they’re worn – our new CZ stud earrings are sure to attract attention! Try them on for sighs, and see for yourself…

Flying Fern has made another media appearance! It all started when Katy Perry rocked a ring that has to be Fern’s twin – it looked just like our flying piggy cocktail ring!

This time we spotted her in an article online titled “Social Mood, Stocks, and Epidemics“.  The author, Alan Hall, included a collage of different swine flu themed pieces of pop culture. He said:

“With reports now indicating that H1N1 flu is waning — much like the 1918 Spanish flu did after its mild first wave passed — a historically-high level of complacency is returning to the social environment, mirroring the return of optimism in the stock market. There are abundant signs of this in the rapid outbreak of swine flu jokes, fashion jewelry, tee shirts, songs, dances and the widespread accusations that the media and World Health Organization overreacted.”

Our pretty piggy has been making the rounds – she also had a cameo on the appropriately named “On Wings of Pigs” blog! Lots of shoppers have commented that Fern makes a statement about keeping faith even when it seems like all hope is lost, and we couldn’t agree more. The blog’s author, Ashley, echoed this sentiment in her post. Ashley is one of our Twitter friends, so we were extra excited when she included Fern on her site! Here’s what she had to say about our flying pig cocktail ring:

“You see, I’ve come to really and truly wonder if me finding The Man I’m going to marry is going to happen before or after pigs fly. That’s been my thing for a couple of years now. But while wish-listing one day, I came across another ring and knew instantly that I wanted to wear that ring on my wedding day because it just fit where my heart is right now about love and finding a good guy.”

It seems that people just can’t resist putting Fern the Flying Pig in the spotlight! Now we’re just wondering where she will show up next…?

Angelina Jolie has everyone jonesing for her emerald earrings! The day after the 2009 Oscars was busy for Emitations, as customers around the world called and emailed to beg for Angie’s bling. We tried to act fast, and our suppliers provided simulated emerald earrings that were like Angelina’s. We also just got a new version that you can check out. Finding exact matches, however, has been surprisingly difficult!

We don’t create jewelry on site at Emitations, but we work closely with suppliers who have a wide selection to choose from. None of our contacts had anything remotely similar to Angelina Jolie’s emerald earrings, but they came up with a gorgeous pair of sparkling pear drops that were a good match. Some customers weren’t quite satisfied, though – our shoppers want exact replicas! We are usually able to provide near perfect imitations of celebrity jewelry (see our celebrity engagement ring section for examples), but some items are just harder to replicate than others. Angelina’s earrings were a unique challenge, for several reasons.

The first obstacle is the size of the earrings. Angelina’s huge emeralds hung to her jawline, and it’s hard to find high quality CZ jewelry with extra large stones like that. Even if we could track down earrings that were just as large, there was a chance that the price for such high carat pieces would be too much to justify. Angelina’s earrings were provided by Lorraine Schwartz, and they weighed in at a stunning 115 carats. That’s larger than anything we offer! Beyond that, however, is the issue of the stone color. Angelina’s earrings were made from particularly vivid and luminous Colombian emeralds, and the hue is extremely difficult to create.

With both emerald green colored CZ stones and simulated emeralds, it can be difficult to achive just the right shade. Generally, the larger the faux emerald or simulated stones are, the darker the hue will be. As such, we had to balance the large size of the earrings against the lighter green color. Real emeralds are usually darker than those worn by Angelina, but her jewelry was rare and very unique. We have tried to satisfy our customers with our imitation earrings, but no two shoppers are the same! With all this in mind, we present to you both available versions of Angelina’s Oscar Inspired Earrings.

As noted on the product pages: We tried to find even larger versions of these earrings, but these are the biggest and brightest pairs that were available. Emitations always strives to provide the most accurate and high quality imitation jewelry, however, we are limited by what our suppliers can provide. Please let us know if you locate a closer match so that we can try to acquire something similar!