Jewelry, whether fine or costume, has been a part of human culture since the earliest times. People wear jewelry to satisfy their vanity, to indulge their love for beautiful things, and to look good to others. Vintage costume jewelry fulfills all these criteria, but at a fraction of the cost of real or fine jewelry. It is an inexpensive alternative that does not sacrifice taste as well as style.
Vintage costume jewelry may be less expensive, but good quality ones are never seen as cheap. They are less costly because they are not made from precious gems. Designers of vintage costume jewelry use a variety of materials from cut glass, beads, semi-precious gems, faux gems -- even plastic! These pieces were created and released since the start of the Victorian era up to the 1960s. Vintage costume jewelry from the 1940s and 1950s are especially creative and eye-catching, since the designers of the era had to produce relatively inexpensive yet fashionable items that men and women could afford and appreciate during the war and post-war era.
Some of the most popular designers of vintage costume jewelry were fashion guru Coco Chanel, Elsa Schiaparelli and Miriam Haskell. Many of Schiaparelli's bright and attractive creations were made from multi-colored rhinestones. Haskell, in her finely detailed work, almost always paid tribute to nature's beauty and bounty. Chanel, the favorite of many celebrities, transformed the way costume jewelry was worn in the 1920s. Other pieces of vintage costume jewelry were made from materials that included beads, corals, faux pearls, and Bakelite -- a kind of polymeric plastic.
Vintage costume jewelry continues to be very much in vogue today, and it has inspired many designers to create 'real' pieces made from precious gems and metals. At the 2005 Academy Awards, the jewelry that many women celebrities wore were oversized and sparkly, a tribute to the jewelry designs of the 1940s. Stars such as Madonna, Britney Spears, and Julia Roberts are not only collectors of vintage costume jewelry and dress accessories; they actually wear them in public, too.
A person does not have to be a celebrity to appreciate vintage costume jewelry. Their uniqueness, aesthetic value and superb craftsmanship make them popular collectible items, and with proper care, they can be a good investment, too, since serious collectors will pay top dollar for vintage costume jewelry that is in mint condition. But more than that, the experience of owning and wearing a thing of beauty that comes from a bygone era is simply priceless.
Sam Serio is an Internet Marketer, musician and a writer on the subject of jewelry and gemstones. For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit http://www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of "How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off." This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at http://www.morninglightjewelry.com





It's that time of year when we pack up our... Read More
The earliest mention of the watch was in Shakespeare's play... Read More
It hasn't been all that long since vintage stockings became... Read More
The hottest fashion trend for feet this summer is women's... Read More
Some people have specific color preferences while some people also... Read More
Having our makeup at our fingertips is a number one... Read More
Growing up with three sisters, it was important for us... Read More
What is Fashion? Embracing style, trend, and comfort is called... Read More
When it is time for a gift for someone, nothing... Read More
Men and women have worn costume jewellery since the Romans... Read More
Earrings come in many forms, and the complexity of the... Read More
Teenagers are a fickle bunch. At that stage of physical... Read More
Roberto Cavalli was born on November 15th, 1940 in Italy.... Read More
Each year, on fashion runways from New York to Paris,... Read More
There are plenty of basics you can pick up that... Read More
"Following the crowd" is something that we have all been... Read More
It's been said that silver jewelry makes a person look... Read More
I still can't understand it. After all these years, I... Read More
With so many designers and trends targeting the svelte body... Read More
Every man has done it - or will do it... Read More
For centuries, tattoos symbolized the membership in groups, families, but... Read More
Diamond earrings, emerald rings, ruby bracelets, sapphire pendants; no doubt... Read More
1. Wearing the Wrong ColorsTo look your best wear clothing... Read More
Feet are among the most the most beautiful parts of... Read More
Men grow cold as girls grow old And we all... Read More
Diamond earrings, emerald rings, ruby bracelets, sapphire pendants; no doubt... Read More
Safety glasses have evolved from the days of poorly fitting... Read More
Each year, on fashion runways from New York to Paris,... Read More
Books1. If mom is a collector, whatever her passion -... Read More
They are the hottest wearable right now, despite the fashion... Read More
For those of you that love hats you'll be in... Read More
Being overweight no longer excludes you from wearing sexy lingerie... Read More
The sun is sizzling, and so will you this season!... Read More
"And when the day comes that we can communicate intelligently... Read More
The earliest mention of the watch was in Shakespeare's play... Read More
Studies show that an estimated 60% of Americans do not... Read More
As some of you might already know Angelo Carbotti handbags... Read More
Growing up with three sisters, it was important for us... Read More
Finding the best swimsuit is something that we all struggle... Read More
Dolphin or not a dolphin? That is the question! You... Read More
It's that time of year when we pack up our... Read More
When it comes to estate jewelry there is always much... Read More
1. Wearing the Wrong ColorsTo look your best wear clothing... Read More
Fashion designer Anne Klein was born Hannah Golofski in New... Read More
With so many eyewear choices it can be difficult to... Read More
Body piercings have been the object of much controversy --... Read More
Father's Day is just around the corner. Here are some... Read More
A popular motif in jewelry, even among city dwellers, is... Read More
It seems that birthstone jewelry isn't just for us normal... Read More
In my business, I talk to a lot of gals... Read More
|
|