Vintage Costume Jewelry

Vintage costume jewelry is one of the most sought after collectibles today. Be aware, that there are just as many fakes out there too. Nonetheless, there is an extremely large amount to select from, so where would one start? What styles would one collect? Lets start with some of the basics, and just maybe this will assist you with these answers. Please keep in mind, that there is entirely too many types to possible cover here, therefore, we will touch on just some of the basics.

This costume jewelry has been around for many years. It was all the rage in the twenties and it turned toward the Victorian side in the thirties. These are all collectible in one way or another. It is, of course, up to a collector as to what they like and would want to collect.

Lets begin with unsigned jewelry. This is a most sought after type of costume jewelry. It is relatively easy to find, and there is quite a bit of it. Most of the unsigned costume jewelry was created before the nineteen thirties. They may not hold precious stones, but, they can be just as exquisite, beautiful, and desirable, as the more valuable pieces. Why are these pieces of jewelry unsigned? This is largely accountable to the fact that they were created for the wholesale market. Many artists and designers did not see their designs as a valuable commodity. Of course, if they could only see what these pieces are worth now, they may have changed their minds. A few of the more well known names to be included on this list are Miriam Haskell, Weiss, and Eisenberg. In fact, Weiss sold much of their jewelry to Sears and J.C. Penny.

How do you know what is authentic and what is real? Be aware, there are many fakes on the markets. The only true possible way to know that you are not looking at a fake, is to research. The internet is a good place to start. Many collectors have there own personal websites out there. These websites hold a vast knowledge of information, and should not be taken lightly. There are also many books out there too. These include many pictures of these highly sought after pieces. Compare the piece or pieces to the pictures. Study the piece very hard, because, some of these fakes are quite good. Pay particular attention to any marks that they may have.

So, when you are considering collecting vintage costume jewelry, rest assured that you are not alone in this ever growing field. There are many collectors out there, and it is very competitive. Try to narrow your collection to a specific type or designer, and then grow from there. By that time, you may have an increased knowledge about vintage costume jewelry and therefore, can start seeking other pieces to add to your collection.