Faux
faux | ˈfō
adjective
A French word meaning false, fake, imitation, or artificial
From the original French, meaning false, fake, or artificial, Faux often refers to something that is designed to approximate the look and feel of something else. For centuries, humans have been perfecting technologies that allow us to approximate the look and feel of real gems and precious metals using less expensive materials. This allows people to purchase jewelry they otherwise could not afford. Faux jewelry may also be called glass or paste, and in some cases, certain combinations may be referred to as costume jewelry. The most commonly known faux jewelry material is cubic zirconia, which is used as a stand-in for diamonds in inexpensive jewelry. Faux jewelry may be used to replicate well-known pieces or to stand in for more expensive gems and metals.