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As anyone who has accumulated a collection of jewelry knows, there’s nothing like the detritus in drawers, boxes and overflowing jewelry boxes. Amid the diamonds and opals, the silver and gold (OK, if you’re lucky), lies a different kind of beauty — the beauty of costume jewelry.
While costume jewelry often gets short shrift compared to precious stones and metals, vintage jewelry sellers reap the benefits of this misconception. It turns out that there is much value to be found in costume jewelry, if only the buyer — of the grandkid — knows how to identify vintage jewelry.
You may come across costume jewelry in several ways. You might get a tangle of necklaces, rings, brooches and bangles as an inheritance. Perhaps you were lucky enough to get faux pearls and rhinestones as gifts over the years. Or maybe you’re a newbie junker or have started going to estate sales looking for silver and gold but are wondering about the value of jewelry that isn’t.
What Is Costume Jewelry?
Costume jewelry — sometimes called fashion jewelry — is generally mass produced. It can be made of many materials, including plastic, but typically not precious metals, especially gold.
The costume phrase jewelry became popular in the 1930s and the jewelry itself provided a way for women to adorn themselves for less money. Think dripping with jewels, just not diamonds, rubies and emeralds and instead amethyst, amber, turquoise and onyx.
Now, some of that retro vintage costume jewelry is worth some money, especially when it is from a reputable designer. Jewelry stamped with the manufacturer or designer’s name is almost always worth more than unsigned pieces.
Bakelite bangles, necklaces and pins are a good example of how costume jewelry has increased in value. The fire-resistant, castable plastic was made into chunky, colorful jewelry (and napkins rings, too) in the 1930s and 40s. If you’ve found some Art Deco delights in Grandma’s jewelry box, know…
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