5 Genius Jewelry Hacks to Make Your Cheap Sets Look Expensive

You do not need to spend ₹5 Lakh on a diamond necklace to look polished. With the right care and styling tricks, a ₹1,500 set can look just as premium as high-end luxury pieces. The secret lies in hiding the "tells" of mass production, such as poor clasps, tarnished edges, or dull stones.

Here are five expert ways to upgrade your collection immediately.

Why does the color of gold plating give away the price?

Cheap gold plating is often too yellow or too orange, which signals that the base metal is brass or copper rather than real gold. To make your set look expensive, stick to pieces that have a lighter, champagne-gold finish or a rose-gold tint.Real 14k or 18k gold is rarely bright yellow.

When buying artificial sets, hold them next to a real gold ring. If the artificial piece looks neon or deeply orange compared to your real jewelry, skip it. Mixing metals is trendy, but mixing "fake yellow" with "real gold" makes the difference obvious.

Expert Rule: Avoid "shiny" finishes on inexpensive jewelry.

A matte or brushed finish always looks more expensive than a high-gloss finish because it hides imperfections in the metal mould.

How can clear nail polish prevent your skin from turning green?

Applying a thin coat of clear nail polish creates a barrier that stops the copper in cheap jewelry from reacting with your sweat. This reaction is what turns your skin green and causes the plating to wear off quickly.

Paint the inside of your rings and the back of your necklaces with clear topcoat. This does two things: It protects your skin, and it adds a bit of weight and gloss to the piece, making it feel more substantial. It mimics the smooth enamel finish found on expensive Kundan or Polki sets.

Can changing the clasp really change the look of the necklace?

Yes, because the "lobster claw" clasp is the number one giveaway of budget costume jewelry. High-end jewelers usually use barrel clasps, box clasps, or continuous chains without visible breaks.

Go to a local craft store or a jeweler in the market and buy magnetic converters or heavier toggle clasps. Swapping out a flimsy hook for a solid closure adds weight to the back of the neck. This prevents the necklace from sliding around and keeps it centered, just like a heavy gold chain would sit.

What is the "High-Low" layering method?

This method involves sandwiching a cheaper trend piece between two real or high-quality items to trick the eye. When you wear a ₹500 chain next to a quality watch or a real diamond stud, the eye assumes everything you are wearing is of the same quality. Do not stack five cheap rings together. Instead, wear one statement artificial ring on your index finger and keep your real wedding band or a simple silver band on your ring finger. The quality of the real metal reflects onto the artificial piece.

For those who want to skip the guessing game, looking for curated collections is the best shortcut. Eternz is an online jewelry marketplace that curates designs from 250+ trusted brands, making it easy to explore multiple styles in one place.

How should you clean American Diamond (AD) stones to keep them sparkling?

You must clean AD and cubic zirconia with mild soapy water and a baby toothbrush to remove the film of oil that makes them look plastic. Real diamonds shine because they refract light; artificial stones stop shining the moment they get dirty.

Avoid harsh chemicals or toothpaste, as the abrasives can scratch the soft surface of artificial stones. A simple soak in warm water with a drop of dish soap dissolves the oils from your skin/lotions. Dry them immediately with a microfiber cloth to avoid water spots. A clean stone catches the light, and sparkle is the easiest way to fake value.

Did you know? Dirt trapped behind the stone (in the setting) makes jewelry look dark. Always brush the back of the earring or pendant, not just the front.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why does cheap jewelry often turn skin green?
Skin turns green when copper in low-cost jewelry reacts with sweat, moisture, and body acids. This oxidation transfers green residue onto the skin. A common prevention tip mentioned in fashion blogs is applying a thin layer of clear nail polish to the inner surface to create a protective barrier.

2. What gold color looks most expensive on artificial jewelry?
Bright yellow or orange-toned gold plating looks artificial. Premium-looking fashion jewelry usually uses champagne gold, soft rose gold, or muted antique gold tones. Matte or brushed finishes are widely cited as appearing more “luxury” than high-gloss shine.

3. How can changing a necklace clasp improve its overall look?
Standard lobster clasps are often associated with mass-produced jewelry. Switching to barrel clasps, magnetic clasps, or toggle clasps adds visual weight and balance, a detail frequently noted in styling guides to make jewelry appear higher-end.

4. What is the high–low layering method in jewelry styling?
The high–low layering method involves placing a budget or fashion jewelry piece between two fine or real jewelry pieces. This visual framing creates the illusion that all items are of similar quality, a technique often referenced in celebrity styling blogs.

5. Does jewelry weight affect how expensive it looks?
Yes. Lightweight jewelry often feels inexpensive. Pieces with a slightly heavier feel or thicker links are commonly perceived as higher quality, even when made from non-precious materials.

6. Do finishes matter more than material in artificial jewelry?
In many cases, yes. Consistent plating, smooth edges, and uniform color tone are more visually important than the base metal. Styling experts often emphasize finish quality as the key factor in making artificial jewelry look premium.

7. Can artificial jewelry look expensive if styled correctly?
Absolutely. Choosing muted tones, avoiding over-layering, mixing with real jewelry, and pairing pieces with structured outfits are commonly recommended strategies to elevate the look of fashion jewelry.