Antique Costume Jewelry

Antique cosume jewelry is antique jewelry from the costume jewelry family, dating back to the 1930s.  By the definition of antique that would also make it antique jewelry.

Costume Jewelry came into being in the 1930s as a cheap disposable jewelry meant to be worn for the season or with a specific outfit. It was never meant to be handed down through generations.  It simply was a fashion statement for a short period of time. Once it became outdated, it was suppose to be disposed of and a new fashionable piece of costume jewelry added to the wardrobe. It was so popular during the 1930s that it began to be produced in mass quantities.

Even before the 1930s there was cheap jewelry, it just wasn't referred to as costume jewelry. As far back as the early 1700s paste or glass jewelry as was being made to duplicate the jewels of the rich. There fine jewelry was duplicated for a many of reasons. They would have an identical piece made but from vermeil and with paste or glass stones.

By the mid 1800s the growth of the middle class had been significant that there was now a market available to these woman. There were now different levels of jewelry being manufactured using fine, semi-precious and base materials.  Fine jewelry of gold, diamonds, fine gems such as emeralds and saphires continued to be made.

Jewelry from rolled gold, which is a thin layer of gold attached to a base metal, entered the market for the middle class.  This jewelry was often set with semi-precious gems such as amethyst, coral or pearls, and was much more affordable.  And then there was jewelry that most anyone could afford, consisting of glass stones and base metals made to look like gold.  All three types were intended to be passed down to future generations.

Use the clues available to you to help identify what era a piece of jewelry is from. Have a close look at the style, material, the type of piece.  For example dress clips were in high demand and thus high production in the 1930s, but by the 1950s they were out of style so production ceased.

Jewelry reflects styles, designs, colors and stones of the era.  From 1910 to 1930 silver was the favorite color for metal, so jewelry was commonly found in platinum, white gold, silver, and sterling or a base metal colored to look like silver.

By World War II, gold was popular again but in short supply, since it was vital to the war effort. What gold was available was made into very thin sheets and usually bonded to silver (called vermeil) before being turned into jewelry.

During the late 1930s rhinestones popularity was ever increasing in Europe.   In the 1940s rhinestones finally made their way to America. As a result, many of the pieces from this period tend to feature lots of metal and a single stone or a small cluster of tiny rhinestones.

Today is certainly not much different from past times.  We still have fine jewelry, semi precious jewelry, and of course costume jewelry available to us.  Costume jewelry can add the finishing touch and show your fashion sense.  What's even better is the styles from the past are now becoming very popular again. If you are lucky enough to have original jewelry from that era, now is the time to wear it. If you don't own any there are many manufacturers reproducing it, although the quality is no where near that from the past.

There has always been a diffence in qualities with costume jewelry. Many of the new pieces do not have the vibrance in the stones or the weight of the older pieces.

Antique and vintage costume jewelry are both fun to collect and fun to wear.  No longer is costume jewelry simply "collectable."  It is "in style, and " "fashionable,"   and a terrific conversation starter.  Be sure to make your fashion statement!

© Copyright Sher Matsen, All Rights Reserved.

About the author:
Sher from Estate Jewelry International have been serving customers for over 20 years, providing affordable estate jewelry, and a wealth of information on jewelry, fashion, designers, and beauty with on staff industry professionals. Please visit us at Estate Jewelry International

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