Abacus
Antique Dealers: Costume Jewelry
There
is virtually no difference between costume jewelry
and antique jewelry. Costume Jewelry dates back to
the 1930s. By the definition of antique that would
also make it antique jewelry. However, most jewelry
experts have come to agree that antique jewelry predates
the 1930s. Costume Jewelry came into being in the
1930s as a cheap disposable jewelry meant to be worn
with a specific outfit, but not meant to be handed
down through generations.
It
was intended to be fashionable for a short period
of time, out date itself, and then be repurchased
to fit with a new outfit purchase, or with a new fashion
style. It became available in large quantities during
the 30s. Cheap jewelry also existed prior to the 1930s.
Paste
or glass jewelry as far back as the 1700s. The rich
had their fine jewelry duplicated for a variety of
reasons, using paste or glass stones. By the mid 1800s
with the growth of the middle class 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. There are usually clues that can help
one identify what era a piece of jewelry is from.
Style, material, the type of piece. For example dress
clips came in in the 1930s and were out of style by
the 1950s. Jewelry reflects styles, designs, colors
and stones of the era. For example from 1910 to 1930
silver was the favorite color for metal, so jewelry
was found in platinum, white gold, silver 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. By the 1930s rhinestones
popularity was ever increasing in Europe. It was not
available to the Americans until the 1940s.
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.
Costume
Jewelry styles of past years are now becoming very
fashionable and many are being reproduced. Even with
costume jewelry there is a difference in quality.
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. Dress to impress!
