Halloween is a wonderful time to dress up and play. And just as jewelry can liven up a real outfit, it can add that perfect final touch to a Halloween costume. Here are some jewelry ideas you and your family might like to include in your devilish disguises this year.

Witch Jewelry

The traditional Halloween witch loves all things dark and spooky, and her jewelry should communicate this affectation. Batty earrings, spider rings and bracelets, and skull pendants all fit the bill. If your witch is also high-fashion, she'll mix these traditional themes with big, gaudy jewels in darker colors like deep red, black, and dark purple. For some added fun, she might wear a little poison or magic-potion bottle around her neck for emergencies.

Pirate Jewelry

The pirate has lots of fun jewelry to choose from. First, remember that he always wears at least one big hoop earring, usually in goldtone. If he's especially hip, he may even wear one in each year, or several of different sizes. He also needs a gold-colored, heavy chain for his neck, possibly holding some coins and jewels that's he's accumulated during his pirate career.

As for a bracelet, the genuine pirate needs something tight-fitting so he doesn't get his arm hooked on some rigging, fall overboard, and drown. Try studded leather cuffs and woven hemp wristbands (as sailors, pirates also like things made of rope-like material). Big gold finger rings will also make the pirate happy, showing off his success at his occupation.

Similar jewelry will befit pirate lasses, but with a little more of a feminine touch - shinier jewels and beads from around the world.

Princess and Fairy Jewelry

First and foremost, a princess needs a bejeweled crown or tiara. Look for something made with artfully twisted wire, beads and rhinestones - or try making one yourself! A princess generally comes from a wealthy family, so she's expected to wear lots of sparkling gemstones. Her necklace can be simple, with one extravagant pendant as a focal point, or multi-layered with rows of drapey chains.

She'll often wear a finger ring or two - something shiny and feminine, again with sparkling gems or rhinestones. The fashion-forward princess adds rhinestone shoe clips to her princess shoes to complete the look.

A fairy can enjoy many of the same jewelry styles as a princess, but in addition to sparkles, she needs lots of star charms or pendants. Of course, she'll need a sparkly magic wand as well.

Vampire Jewelry

Vampires are very serious about their jewelry, as they tend to be very fashion-conscious. Lately it's been trendy for female vampires to sport wide, velvety chokers featuring single, eerie figural or gemstone pendants. Of course, vampires have a thing for blood, so make sure you find something with a deep, blood-red color in a gemstone, enamel, or even rhinestones.

Large crucifix pendants are popular with some vampires (at least the ones who aren't burned by them). Bat symbology is also important to a vampire, who lives as a bat when she's not out vampiring.

Fortune Teller, Gypsy and Belly Dancer Jewelry

These elegant characters have the pleasure of wearing lots of beautiful jewelry. Fortune tellers need a gaudy ring on nearly every finger and piles of dangly bangles on both wrists. Gypsies need big hoop earrings and multiple strands of beads around their necks, and wide bangles on their wrists.

Belly dancers come in several different varieties, depending on the regions from which they hail. A traditional Egyptian belly dancer can use sparkly rhinestones, layered-chain chokers and necklaces, and ornate wrist bands. "Tribal" belly dancers, from Turkey or Afghanistan, for example, need lots of rustic metal and glass stone pieces, and even braided threads and tassels. And of course, every belly dancer needs a beautiful bindi or set of bindi adornments for her forehead.

All three of these characters can get by with a little - or a lot! - of dangly coin jewelry, too.

Other Favorites

If you're not sure yet what you'd like to be for Halloween, but you know you want it to incorporate some wonderful jewelry, consider a character from a historical period. Then, look for jewelry specifically associated with that character. For example, Victorian style jewelry has regained popularity several times since the Victoria era, and there are lots of quality reproduction pieces available.

Or, you might choose one of your favorite vintage film stars and find some costume jewelry from her era. Rhinestones and faux pearls make fun and flashy accompaniments to sexy and stylish vintage outfits. And, many are still affordable and abundant on the market.

Need help figuring out which jewelry to wear with your costume this year? Share your questions and ideas in the forum!

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Where to Find Jewelry to go With Your Halloween Costume