Now let’s take a look at various forms of antique jewelry, we have become familiar with what is antique jewelry, and why it has a collection value. You can find incredibly valuable items in any of the categories on this list, which are not in any particular order.
As early as the 1930s and 1940s, clothing jewelry was considered“Junk jewelry,” but today, its value has soared. Collectors of antique jewelry consider them glittering treasures that can fetch thonds of dollars. There are different kinds of clothing jewelry, identifying them is one of the fun of collecting them.
Let’s take a look at some types of clothing jewelry-maybe there’s something super valuable in your jewelry box that you’re not aware of!
What is antique jewelry?
Costume jewelry is called costume jewelry because it can only be worn for one or two seasons before being replaced by something more fashionable. The jewellery is made of artificial gemstones, which is why it is considered“Rubbish”.
Some costume jewelry designers use semi-precious stones to make their work, but most are made of hard plastic, glass or rhinestones. The metals used include pure silver (used in high-end works) , ceramics, rhodium and even wood.
Costume Jewelry History
The history of costume jewelry has a lot to do with its value today and why it is still highly collectable.
For example, “Sugar jewelry” dates back to the Second World War and has a patriotic military theme. The jewellery works are usually bought by wives and mothers to show their support for soldiers abroad.
In the 19th century, Queen Victoria’s choice of jewelry influenced the way people dressed, and the clothing and jewelry of the time reflected the fashion trends of the time.
Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953 also had an impact on the jewellery world, with the coronation needle becoming very fashionable. As a result, the crown pin of costume jewelry is becoming more and more popular.
Later, Hollywood began to influence jewelry design, and many pieces of costume jewelry made in the early 1990s are considered collectors’ works today.
An early and influential fashion and jewelry designer
There are many designers dedicated to making attractive clothing jewelry, and some of them stand out for their hard work. Coco Chanel, Premet, Jean Patou and Dr écoll are some of the most successful and famous fashion and jewelry designers. They helped make it as popular as it is today.
The type of costume jewelry
Now that we know what costume jewelry is and why it’s collectible, let’s take a look at the different types you can choose. There is no particular order to this list, and you can find very valuable works in any category.
1. Nature Jewelry
A popular type of costume jewelry is called natural jewelry. Natural jewelry is jewelry based on things in nature, such as leaves and shells. It can be made of all types of materials, including gold, silver, plastic, beads, Rhinestones and other synthetic jewelry materials.
2. Hippy Chic Costume Jewelry
We all know that hippies were all the rage in the 1960s. People like to embrace the flower power philosophy, this style of popular art graphic patterns everywhere. The bolder the color, the better!
The ubiquitous daisy, still relevant today to that era, was made of every conceivable material and in the brightest neon colors. These daisies have also entered the design of costume jewelry.
Daisy-shaped costume jewelry was pinned to skirts and hats, hung on chains, attached to belts, and so on. Even brands such as Duhot and Chanel make flower jewellery. However, their jewellery pieces, such as earrings, necklaces and brooches, are made of fragile cast glass rather than plastic or metal.
Of course, many hippies rejected complex design in favor of handmade and ethnic jewelry. This is why costume jewelry of that time can now be collected, made of more humble materials such as clay and feathers.
Jewelry made from Rhinestones and pearl rings is also popular. The most common pieces of jewelry are feather earrings, love beads, peace pendant, Ankh and zodiac signs attached to Rawhide.
While hippie jewelry is more ethnic and handmade, there are many works that are more dramatic. They include works made with small mirrors and bracelets made of colored paper.
Plastic Pearls also became popular in the mid-1960s. They were usually large and strung into multiple strands. They are light, so it’s not uncommon to wear layers of pearls.
Today, you can find countless clothing and jewelry options that mimic the fashion choices of the hippie era, but if you have jewelry that was actually made back then, you may have something of great value in your hands
3. Fine Costume Jewelry
More refined clothing jewelry is considered valuable and popular by more people who don’t mind wearing cheap rhinestones and expensive designer pieces.
Because of its design, costume jewelry is easily matched with high-end jewelry, and no one really notices that some of the pieces aren’t worth more than a few dollars.
For example, Kenneth Jay Lane, a costume and jewellery designer, made beautiful rhinestones and enamel bracelets inspired by the style choices of the Duchess of Winsor. These items go well with expensive jewelry, and they look really good together.
Kenneth — Lyne likes to make costume jewelry that looks like home on the red carpet without the expensive price tag. Shoulder-length chandelier earrings with colorful fake gems, giant cocktail rings and heavy pendant necklaces are some of his most popular designs.
Coco-chanel has also continued to produce stunning pieces, most notably elaborate bracelets decorated with large gems and Maltese cross.
Fine clothing jewelry looks like a real deal, but the price wasn’t high then, but today, if well designed and properly cared for, it can sell for a staggering amount.
4. Punk/Pop Costume Jewelry
When the 1960s came to an end and the 1970s came, the trend was more modern. The focus shifted to more geometric-inspired designs. Industrial materials such as metal fittings and transparent plastics are widely used.
The jewelry is stiff and worn with zippers, oversized buttons and buttonholes. This is definitely a unique fashion era, and the clothing and jewelry of the time also reflect this.
At the same time, however, punk is a big problem. Those who support punk like to wear leather jackets and jeans, and they also wear corresponding jewelry. Leather armbands and dog collars with thick chains, nails and nail heads were the order of the day, along with rings.
There are two designers in this period of clothing jewelry has a great impact. Robert Lee Morris and Elsa Peretti. Elsa designed it for Tiffany & Co. in 1974, and her water droplets and Phaseolus lunatus pendants are the inspiration for many pieces of costume jewelry. The cut stones on her long, thin chain are also very popular and have inspired many costume and jewelry designs.
Robert has its own boutique, which sells gladiator-sized cuffs, heavy belt buckles, gold necklaces and metal badges. His designs are unique and different from what is expected of a jewelry designer.
When the 1980s arrived, when pop and punk were still in vogue, women like Madonna and Cindy Lauper became the inspiration for standards and costume jewelry. Rubber bracelets, rosary beads and religious-looking pendants became very popular.
Hip-hop music also caught people’s attention and inspired jewelry in the form of ID bracelets, rings and nameplate pendants.
Today, many of these works may seem exaggerated and suitable only as props for photography, but some are still of great value.
5. Glitzy Costume Jewelry
In the 2000s, clothing and jewelry developed in a more refined direction, but still maintained the charm of charm. Designers like Calvin Klein and Giorgio Armani have helped shift the industry to a simpler style. This is an era that has embraced minimalism, and the jewellery world has actually suffered as a result.
Yet costume jewellery, inspired by Karrh Lagerfeld and Christian La Croix, has made a big comeback with Igor accessories.
While Hollywood stars like Lil’ Kim and Jennifer Lopez wear the real thing, they were inspired by the huge gems on the ring. Karen. Diddy, who is often photographed wearing giant diamond earrings and rings, inspired many large, ornate costume and jewelry designs.
It seems that the bigger and more dazzling the jewelry, the better. Nowadays, people don’t wear such large pieces of jewelry, but you can still find them almost everywhere.
6.Rhinestone Costume Jewelry
If you have seen costume jewelry, you may see jewelry made of Rhinestones. The thing about diamond jewelry is that it can be very cheap, but it’s also very well made, so it can last for many years and still look great.
Diamond jewellery became popular in the late 19th century, with glittering but inexpensive pieces of costume jewellery such as earrings, necklaces and bracelets being sold to the middle class.
Rhinestones keep their color well, making them a popular choice for a variety of clothing and jewelry designs.
Today, you can find Rhinestones in many professional boutiques and thrift stores, and they still look as good as when they were first made. However, if you want to collect valuable works, you must know how to distinguish cheap works from antiques.
7. Plastic Costume Jewelry
Clothing jewelry made of plastic is common, and celluloid was one of the first plastics used to make jewelry. This is a good material if you want to make something that mimics coral or ivory. Despite their collectible value, these pieces are so fragile that not many have stood the test of time.
Celluloid was later replaced by Bakelite for its colour and durability, and many pieces of clothing and jewellery are made of the material.
Eventually, Bakelite was replaced by acrylic because it was more durable and could be customized to have beautiful flashes or hues. Acrylic jewelry has become one of the standards of ancient ornaments.
In the past ten years, resin jewelry has become very popular. You can find antique jewelry made of resin in many stores.
8.Metal Costume Jewelry
This may come as a surprise to some, but some of the most collectible pieces of clothing and jewelry are made of metal. Although brass is the most commonly used metal in costume jewelry, copper, lead and alloys are also frequently used.
One of the most recognizable costume jewelry is the brass bracelet, sold at different prices, which is still very popular. Brass bracelets, if well made, blend well with almost any color of gold and look beautiful.