Jewelry > Costume

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Costume Jewelry

Costume Jewelry Lot

Costume Pendants & Lockets

Loose Costume Gemstones

Costume Earrings

Costume Necklaces

Costume Rings

Vintage Costume Jewelry, Antique

Costume Bracelets

Loose Costume Beads

Costume Fashion Jewelry

Did you know the following about costume jewelry?

It was only in the 19th century that women were able to purchase realsonably cost jewelry made of less expensive components such as jet, glass beads, gold filled, and sterling silver.

In the late 19th century, the Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau designers refused to be limited to only precious stones, platinum, and white, yellow and rose gold. These artists used all types of metal, glass, freshwater pearls, and even tortoiseshell. Because most metal was being used for the war effort, designers had to become even more creative. How?

Dress designers such as Coco Chanel started enhancing their clothing designs by creating elaborate faux jewelry, made to look like the real thing and calling it costume jewelry. This type of jewelry became very popular because it allowed housewives to accessories their wardrobe without making a big investment.

Names to look for vintage costume jewelry are: Trifari, Coro, Miriam Haskell, Eisenberg, Hobe, Weiss and Emmons.

Regarind the history of costume jewelry, there are 3 main phases or periods.

Art Deco period (1920 - 1930s)

The Art Deco movement was an attempt to combine the crassness of mass production with the sensitivity of art and design. The Roaring Twenties was an age of prohibition, cocktail parties, flappers, and the Charleston...it was during this period that Coco Chanel introduced fake or paste jewelry (costume jewelry) to complete the costume. The Art Deco movement died with the onset of the Great Depression and the outbreak of World War II.

Retro period (late 1930s to 1950)

In the Retro period, designers struggled with the art versus mass production dilemma. Natural materials merged with plastics. With the war in Europe, many European jewelry firms were shut down and several designers immigrated to the U.S. Europe was in a deep depression and the U.S. was embarking on an economic recovery.

Art Modern period (late 1940s to 1960)

In the Art Modern period following World War II, jewelry designs became more traditional and understated. The big, bold styles of the Retro period went out of style and were replaced by the more tailored styles of the 1950's and 60's. In the 1950s, jewelers began selling their wares to wholesalers.

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