| The first time costume jewelry appeared in the | | | | Material Quality |
| United States was shortly after World War I. | | | | Craftsmanship |
| Purchased in small French boutiques by soldiers | | | | Indeed, there were dozens of companies |
| about to return from the war, the inexpensive | | | | competing in this massive market but they |
| but dazzling fashion jewelry was an immediate hit | | | | produced jewelry in varying quantities. There |
| with the women back home. As new designs | | | | were the larger companies such as Coventry and |
| featuring a host of new semi-precious stones and | | | | Coro who quite often produced thousands of |
| unique materials were released, it caused a rapid | | | | pieces in each design. Then again, you also had |
| rise in popularity. These bright and vibrant pieces | | | | manufacturers such as McClelland and Barclays |
| became ubiquitous fashion accessories during the | | | | who produced much smaller volumes. Accordingly |
| roaring twenties with American companies | | | | and when all other factors are held constant, such |
| dominating the landscape. Some of the most | | | | pieces made by them both rarer more prized by |
| popular American manufacturers of costume | | | | collectors. Doing your homework is important |
| jewelry include: | | | | because even the large players produced some |
| Coro | | | | designs in small quantities making them more |
| Eisenberg | | | | valuable than typical pieces from the company. |
| Weiss | | | | Without question, stone quality is a large variable |
| Coventry | | | | when it comes to assessing the value of a piece |
| Trifari | | | | of vintage jewelry. While none of the stones |
| An Antique costume piece is any piece of jewelry | | | | would be considered "precious" in the traditional |
| that does not prominently feature precious metals | | | | sense, there were companies that manufactured |
| (though some feature silver and may be gold | | | | pieces using superior quality semi-precious stones |
| plated) or gemstones while also being mass | | | | and gemstones, such as: |
| produced. The cheap jewelry could be purchased | | | | Eisenberg |
| for a fraction of what the fine pieces cost. | | | | Bogoff |
| Essentially, the fashion pieces became the "cheap" | | | | Weiss |
| alternative to similarly designed fine pieces made | | | | Hollycraft |
| of out precious metals and displaying precious | | | | Eisenberg is famous for using exceptional stones |
| gemstones like sapphires or rubies. | | | | so finding a piece that is not already high-priced is |
| Virtually any vintage costume bracelet, necklace, | | | | very difficult. However, it is still possible to find an |
| or pendant could be purchased for $4-10 in most | | | | inexpensive yet valuable an unsigned one. Focus |
| cases prior to World War II. Poor sales and the | | | | your efforts on locating pieces by Weiss, Bogoff, |
| Great Depression forced some manufacturers to | | | | and Hollycraft as they tend to be somewhat |
| close their doors. Surprisingly, however, a lot of | | | | undervalued on the market and thus make a |
| the companies survived and did quite well after | | | | better investment. |
| the second world war. | | | | Other than the stones and materials, the quality |
| All-time record sales were seen all throughout the | | | | of metal and craftsmanship will factor into the |
| 50's-60's thanks in no small part to advertising | | | | value of a piece. Manufacturers known to |
| advances like television. Today, high quality | | | | consistently craft superior pieces were: |
| costume pieces are more popular than ever and | | | | Eisenberg |
| make great gift for young girls, teenagers, and | | | | Trifari |
| even adults just looking to add some diversity to | | | | Kramer |
| their jewelry collection. | | | | Money |
| Despite costing relatively little when first launched, | | | | Danecraft |
| vintage fashion jewelry produced in the years | | | | If you develop a sharp eye and really learn how |
| 1920-1970 potentially are worth many times their | | | | to identify the unsigned vintage pieces by top |
| initial value. Incredibly, there are many pieces being | | | | manufacturers like Eisenberg, you can really turn a |
| sold in flea markets for a few bucks while being | | | | hefty profit just by browsing e-Bay and flea |
| worth hundreds! There are three main things that | | | | markets. In many cases, the vendors don't realize |
| help determine the value of vintage costume | | | | the value of the piece and a buyer can have it |
| jewelry: | | | | for pennies on the dollar. |
| Available Supply | | | | |