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Affordable vintage costume jewelry
Fashion Jewelry

Fashion Jewelry (British: Fashion Jewellery), once known as "paste" - named after the
theatrical jewels that were "pasted" onto costumes - and later as "Costume jewelry" because of
its theatrical roots - by the 1960s the term was coined to represent a wide category of earrings,
bracelets, pendants, rings and other similar accessories that were made of lesser value
materials than traditional or "real" jewelry like gold, silver or diamonds.

While at one time the manufacture of fashion jewelry included the use of inexpensive glass
components - most notably rhinestones, or a manmade material known as "lucite" - all set in a
base metal of pewter, nickel or brass, today the category also includes high end crystals,
simulated gemstones, CZs or cubic zirconia simulated diamonds, and lab created gemstones
as well as some semi-precious stones and sometimes wood. Metals include gold-over-brass,
silver-over-brass, and sometimes gold-over-silver (known as vermeil), as well as sterling
silver. In lower priced fashion jewelry you may still find gold plating over pewter, nickel or
assorted other metals, and sometimes fashion jewelry imported from countries outside the
United States may contain lead. Some less expensive fashion jewelry can also contain
components made of plastic or acrylic.

In many instances, high end fashion jewelry has achieved a "collectible" status, meaning it
increases in value as time goes on. The secondary market for "vintage" fashion jewelry can be
quite lucrative, making it a good investment as well as a trendy way to update your wardrobe.

French fashion designer Coco Chanel (1883-1971) popularized the use of imitation
gemstones and jewelry.  She is widely regarded as the most important historical person in
20th century fashion.


Haute couture

Haute couture is french for "high sewing" and refers to making custom-fitted clothing and
fashion accessories.  Today the term is used to describe all high fashion custom fitted clothing,
as well as fashion houses and designers, although in France it is a term that is protected by
law that is used only by fashion firms that meet certain high standards including making
custom clothing for private clients, having a workshop in Paris, and holding special fashion
shows for the Paris press.

The Largest Costume Jewelry Manufacturer - Monet Jewelry

Monet is the largest costume jewelry maker.  Monet was originally founded in 1929 in Rhode
Island (like many other jewelry companies founded in Providence, RI) and has changed
ownership several times.   Liz Claiborne purchased Monet in July of 2000 and moved it's
operations overseas.  Many department stores carry Monet brand costume jewelry.  Vintage
pieces are becoming more and more collectible. Today's fashion jewelry is generally
manufactured in countries other than the U.S.

Costume Jewelry as an Investment

Vintage costume jewelry made in the U.S. is still bringing in top dollars at antique shows,
largely due to the sparkle quality and obvious craftsmanship of even just a few decades ago.  
The quality of the older pieces can be remarkable, rivaling fine jewelry pieces.  Famous jewelry
designers and high standards in jewelry creation and production made quality pieces of art no
longer produced today.  Yesterdays costume jewelry is very collectible, and big business.  It's
not unusual to see a piece sell today for $250 that upon original manufacture in, say, 1960,
sold for a mere $2.00.

Care and Cleaning of Vintage Jewelry

Check out the resources section of this website to learn about the care and cleaning of vintage
costume jewelry pieces you own.
Information About Costume and Fashion Jewelry
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In part from: Fashion jewelry. (2006, November 25). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 00:18, January 12, 2007, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fashion_jewelry&oldid=89956066
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