July 31, 2003

By June W. Wuiff

The Look
CHEAP CHIC

"That's a great necklace."

"Thanks. 6.99, Target."

I did it again. I can't control the urge to brag about my bargain baubles. I'm not talking about discounted diamonds or knockoffs. My gems are funky necklaces, bracelets, pins, and earrings of assorted materials, shapes, colors, and sizes. They come from discount department and clothing stores, consignment shops, yard sales, and thrift shops. As my 16-year-old daughter, Elsie, says: "Trendy jewels are great for the young and for those who resemble them."

Feel free to wear your finds with good stuff. A gold bracelet looks great sandwiched between colorful bracelets adorned with beads and trinkets. My 97-year-old mother-in-law stores her good jewelry with the fun stuff in small plastic bags sorted by color. An emerald bracelet might be butting prongs with a pair of green costume beads found at a rummage sale. A pink cameo pin may be sharing a bag with pink clip-on earrings she grabbed at Building 19.

"Boston's Second Time Around on Newbury St. carries current and vintage jewels. "