What do you look for in dance jewellery?

khadiya · 08-12-2007, 02:53 PM

Hi guys!

I'm sort of posting on behalf of a friend (and fellow dancer) who runs an e-business making one-off jewellery pieces. She takes commissions and spends lots of time on design and choosing quality materials.

She's made a gorgeous commission necklace and earrings set for me to dance in (much admired and great for evenings out too).

Anyway, she's looking to develop more of a range for dancers on her website and would like to know what sort of things people look for/like in dance jewellery.

Do you buy stuff with/to match costumes?
What sort of things are really popular accessories, necklaces?, earrings? anklets?

I guess this is kind of diffuse but it would be great to know a bit more about dancer tastes and preferences in jewellery

her site is www.designed-4-you.co.uk if anyone wants to take a look. Feedback would be great.

Cheers!!

J xx

Egyptianangel · 08-15-2007, 11:22 AM

Hi there. I've only been learning to dance for about a month, so don't have much experience on the jewellery side of things yet. But, if I were to look to buy something (which I'm going to have to as I have a party in Sept) I would look for a necklace and matching earrings. Light and not to big. Would have to be glittery and silver to match the silver in my costume. With the earrings I wouldn't buy anything that was over an inch in size (I'm the kind of person that believes in 'less is more). The necklace would be delicate, nothing too fancy.
I think I would buy a piece of jewellery to go with one costume because if the neck line is different on a top then using the same necklace may not look right.

bintbeled · 08-15-2007, 12:31 PM

I sell vintage rhinestone jewelry, and what most of my customers want is a glittery necklace with matching earrings to match a specific costume. Most popular designs have been bibs that are palm-size or a bit smaller, to fit right below the collarbone. Ideally, a necklace should leave a bit of space at the neck (to avoid cutting the line of the neck and making it look shorter) and end above the costume bra, leaving a clear visual space between the two.

antimony · 08-15-2007, 01:01 PM

I think bintbeled's description probably describes my taste as well.

I like necklaces to be *big* or otherwise super-showy. Basically, jewelry should be taken to the same level of over-done-ness as makeup. In a situation where "normal" evening-style make-up is apropriate, then "normal"-sized jewelry is fine. But for stage shows, etc where you need to wear drag-queen-y stage makeup, I go for big, showy, sparkly, rhinestone-encrusted things. (Like something like this, but less expensive) or a big, coin-encrusted jangly necklace.

As for earings... I only ask that she give a lot of thought to the types of backs or wires she chooses. I have a pair of beautiful very heavy rhinestone drops that are on posts and came with plastic backs. It takes them less than 5min to slip out of their backs and right out of my ears!

bintbeled · 08-15-2007, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antimony

As for earings... I only ask that she give a lot of thought to the types of backs or wires she chooses. I have a pair of beautiful very heavy rhinestone drops that are on posts and came with plastic backs. It takes them less than 5min to slip out of their backs and right out of my ears!

Antimony, I have totally changed what I use to secure post earrings, especially the heavy vintage ones (after having a lovely AB earring go flying during a spin!). Now I ditch whatever back is on the earrings and use clear rubber earnuts. They're little ribbed bits with a hole punched through them, originally designed to keep the sphepherd's-crook earwires from slipping off once you've put them on. I keep the original backs on the earrings for my customers, but offer a pair of earnuts when they purchase.

My hubby orders these for me when he orders his jewelry-making supplies. Just checked the batch I currently have and they're from Rio Grande, 1-800-545-6566, stock number 635723, and they come by the gross.

This may be more info than you want but I thought I would write it down since I actually had the information near my computer. That doesn't happen very often!

nitara · 08-15-2007, 04:26 PM

I make Swarovski crystal necklaces, bracelets, and headpieces to match my costumes. I've found that plain glass-bead pieces aren't really noticeable against a Pharaonics costume and my big hair, so I go for the extra bling. I use sterling or gold-filled findings since I have a metals allergy. Also, Nymo bead thread isn't really sweat-proof, so I switched to Fireline. Dance jewelry has to be as sturdy as possible.

zorba · 08-15-2007, 05:32 PM

I always prefer post-style dangle earrings as opposed to French hooks. I've lost enough French hook style earrings that I now put earring backs on them. But the post style beats French hooks and other wire styles by the fact that they don't work the holes in my ears near as much. As big of earrings as we wear, anything that helps the post-performance "These earrings are killing me!" is a plus!

I'm with Bintbeled on necklace styles - big and sparkly! But do tell me more about these earnuts - I've seldom had problems with clutch backs, but am always looking for better ways to do things.

mehndidancer · 08-15-2007, 07:31 PM

I make my own jewelry and crystals,(what i mostly use) sparkle and bling is what i go for.Earrings must be french wires(my personal preference)Although my local rag shop went bankrupt and i found crystals and bead making stuff dirt cheap and went mad stupid on buying what i need. Necklaces big sparkly. I can't help it. I love bling

Alrana

khadiya · 08-19-2007, 01:24 PM

Thanks so much everyone. We really appreciate all the feed back. Think my mate jess is probably off to buy some sparklies to play around with.

As a big earring fan myself I really appreciate all the comments on findings and fastenings. Its all personal taste of course but jewellery security is extra important for a dancer. We aim to give as great a choice of findings for our earrings as possible (clips or pierced) and are happy to give customers pretty much whatever they want in terms of hooks, posts, etc.

Thanks again, this information has been really supportive and useful. I'll report back on product devlopment.

Cheers,

J xx

Barbarawhist · 11-03-2007, 11:47 AM

I know this may sound boring, but I think large hoops work best for tribal costumes. They can be decorated with danglies and jewels, but hoops, one big one look nice, and go well with many small rings if you have multiple ear pierces. Barbara.

jaziri · 11-03-2007, 12:22 PM

Very inexpensive, very expensive. Cheap vs Dear. I look for jewelry that either I don't have to think twice about buying, or something very very special that will last for many many many years.

Sometimes Big Flash Glitz Woohoo!, sometimes more sedate but OMG did you see the size of those amber beads and real antique silver beads? Sometimes I go for flash that isn't huge, but bits here, and there, and there and there and there.