History of Costume Jewelry
Humans have hung necklaces around their necks and rings around their wrists since the beginning of history. During the last hundred years or so, fashion and technology have combined to make some of the most beautiful costume jewelry known to humankind.
Costume jewelry made over the last hundred years is nearly as beautiful and spectacular as genuine jewelry made of precious metals like platinum, gold, and silver, and precious gemstones like diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires. Costume jewelry has evolved through the years, as can be seen by reviewing the history of this fashion tradition.
Roaring Twenties
The 1920s and 1930s saw an era of Art Deco jewelry, featuring jet black stones, white platinum and silver metal, and symmetrical and geometric shapes. This period in costume jewelry is characterized by pendant necklaces, bangle bracelets, jeweled accessories like cigarette holders and pillboxes, and long, dangling earrings.
Retro Modern Period
Plastic was king of costume jewelry from about 1935 until well into the early 1950s. Indeed, plastic Bakelite bangle bracelets and Bakelite bead necklaces are sought after today as collectible jewelry because of its vivid colors and timeless modern design sensibilities. This era saw plastics formed into fanciful shapes, like sunbursts, bows, daisies, horses, and ballerinas, often with twinkling rhinestones set into patterns on bracelets, earrings, and necklaces.
Contemporary Modern Period
Costume jewelry made between about 1945 and 1960 was tailored and sophisticated. Refinements in the jewelry of the 1940s and 1950s meant smaller pieces. Themed pieces became popular, like animal pins with Poodles and Scottish terriers. Christmas tree pins also enjoyed great popularity, as did other themed jewelry for holidays like Easter, Halloween, and Valentine's Day.
Sparkle has always been popular on costume jewelry, with rhinestones and their descendants, cubic zirconium, often found embedded in rings and earrings. Today, these kitschy pieces are highly sought after by collectors.
Mid-priced wristwatches are a great example of a costume jewelry item that is highly collectible and growing more valuable with every season. Look for chunky men's watches with brands like Bulova, Omega, Seiko, Rolex, and Elgin.
Where to Find Vintage Jewelry
The best place to find these vintage jewelry pieces is on the secondhand market. Online classified and auction sites like craigslist, eBay, and overstock offer many fun costume jewelry pieces. A recent eBay search turned up 2,554 costume jewelry items for sale! Estate sales are also an excellent source of secondhand costume jewelry, as are antique floors and private sellers.
