Replikate Review: An Art Deco showdown

Two weeks ago I posted on the TD Facebook page about a great new pair of replikates of Kate's Beaut 'Ava-Eva' earrings, that are now for sale for only $ 50 at The Looking Glass Shop on Etsy. I had been saving for the real deal, but the replikates looked so similar that I decided to buy these instead and let you know my findings. 

So, first a short comparison.

• Price: £195 / $325
• Postage to US: £10 / $17
• Postage to UK: free
• Closure: Hook (but butterfly closure available on request)
• Length: 2" / 5 cm
• Width:  ½" / 1 ¼ cm 
• Material: 9ct gold hook, sterling silver setting and paste stones

• Price: £30 / $50
• Postage to US: £2.10 / $3.50
• Postage to UK:  £4.20 / $7 
• Closure: butterfly 
• Length: 2 1/8" / 5.5 cm
• Width: 0.6" / 1.5 cm
• Material: rhodium plated brass setting and clear cubic zirconia stones. Nickel-free posts. 

We have seen Kate wearing her Beaut 'Ava-Eva' earrings on two occasions. First on 10 November 2011 during a fundraising reception and dinner at St. James' Palace in support of the National Memorial Arboretum Appeal, when she wore that gorgeous grey/silver one shouldered Jenny Packham gown (picture at the top of the post). The second time she wore the earrings was on 8 May 2012, when she and William attended an exclusive dinner of the Thirty Club at Claridge’s hotel in Mayfair. During that event she wore that gorgeous cream 'Lombard' gown by Roland Mouret. 

Apparently, Beaut has supplied jewellery for the Jenny Packham wedding designs for several years and that's why the 'Ava-Eva' earrings came into Kate's possession through Jenny Packham, who selected it as a choice to compliment the silver gown. The design is Mid-European circa 1930 and part of Beaut's Vintage Collection. I very much hope Kate will wear them again soon, because they are one of my favourites. I LOVE art deco jewellery!

So, the verdict: First of all, shipment from the US to the Netherlands was incredibly fast! I ordered them two weeks ago and received them within one week! The earrings came in a small sheer bag, together with a business card, well packed in a small padded envelope. Considering the earrings are quite glamorous I would have loved it if they came in a more matching glamorous packing, like a small velvet box or something, but I can imagine that would increase the price with 2 or 3 dollars. I wouldn't mind that, but I know I am a sucker for cute packaging :-P

Then the earrings themselves. Obviously there is a difference in quality: sterling silver vs. rhodium plated brass. Both have fake gemstones though. And of course there are some minor differences in design:

• The Beaut ones have a hook while the LGS ones have a butterfly closure (I prefer butterfly closure). 
• The Beaut ones have a smooth setting while the LGS ones have a ribbed setting (I prefer smooth). 
• With the Beaut ones the middle leg is attached to the bottom, while with the LGS ones the middle leg is unattached (I don't really care). 

All in all, the earrings from both shops look almost identical. The price of the Beaut earrings was a bit too high for me. One I was willing to pay, but reluctantly, considering the fact that these earrings are quite striking in design, and therefore not something I would wear everyday. 

If you have some money to spare, a splurge on the real deal is of course great (maybe I still will some day), but I'd say you have a very good buy with the ones from the Looking Glass Shop as well!

P.S. While I was taking pictures for this blog post, Taiyo was desperately trying to get my attention, so here he is :-P

"Woman! Put me down this instance! This is not good for my tough cat reputation!"