| While costume jewelry is all the rage right now | | | | Craftsmanship |
| and can be purchased at a fraction of the cost of | | | | While there were several manufacturers, they |
| fine jewelry alternatives, vintage pieces can be | | | | produced jewelry in varying quantities. It is well |
| worth serious money in today's marketplace. | | | | known that giants like Trifari, Florenza, and |
| Initially, this fine jewelry alternative made an | | | | Coventry produced thousands of pieces each |
| appearance in the states following the conclusion | | | | season. On the other hand, there were DeMario, |
| of World War I. Initially purchased in French | | | | McClelland, and Barclays who only produced small |
| boutiques by gi's preparing to return home after | | | | batches. Therefore, they are both rarer and have |
| winning the war, the inexpensive jewelry became | | | | greater value when other variables remain |
| the new fashion sensation. Demand for the high | | | | constant. A Florenza bracelet will typically be |
| quality imitation pieces reached incredible heights | | | | worth less than a similarly designed DeMario |
| during the "roaring twenties" and a host of new | | | | bracelet. There are always exceptions so be sure |
| manufacturers rushed to meet the surging | | | | to research pieces carefully because sometimes |
| demand, including: Florenze; Trifari; and Weiss. | | | | the larger players purposely produced some |
| Vintage costume pieces are classified as any ring, | | | | designs in small quantities making them more |
| necklace, or other type of jewelry not | | | | valuable than typical pieces from the company. |
| prominently featuring any precious metal or | | | | Without question, stone quality is a large variable |
| gemstone and made in relatively large quantities. | | | | when it comes to assessing the value of a piece |
| It is literally cheap if compared to their fine | | | | of vintage jewelry. One place renowned for using |
| jewelry counterparts. Essentially, the imitation | | | | exceptionally high quality stones and gemstones is |
| pieces are the rock bottom alternative to the far | | | | Eisenberg so finding a piece that is not already |
| higher priced fine jewelry. | | | | high-priced is difficult but it is still possible to find a |
| When released initially, authentic fashion jewelry | | | | cheap unsigned one. |
| could easily be found in the one to five dollar | | | | Currently, vintage costume jewelry made by |
| range prior to World War II. The Great | | | | companies like Weiss, Hollycraft, and Bogoff tend |
| Depression and poor sales caused some of the | | | | to be under-priced on the market and thus make |
| jewelry manufacturers to go out of business but | | | | a better investment. In addition, vintage pieces |
| a surprising number did manage to hang on. The | | | | made from bakelite are worth major money in |
| height of popularity was reached in the late 1950's | | | | today's market so be on the lookout for this |
| through the late 1960's. Today, high quality | | | | hidden gem that sometimes appears at flea |
| costume pieces are more popular than ever and | | | | markets! |
| make great gifts for young girls, teenagers, and | | | | Besides the materials used, the quality of metal, |
| even adults. | | | | stone, and/or gemstone play large roles in |
| While originally quite inexpensive, authentic | | | | determining the value of a piece. Manufacturers |
| costume jewelry manufactured between | | | | known to consistently craft superior pieces were: |
| 1920-1970 has appreciated greatly in value in | | | | Monet; Kramer; and Danecraft. These pieces tend |
| many cases. There are three main things that | | | | to be more durable and therefore make to the |
| help determine the value of authentic vintage | | | | marketplace in better condition thus making them |
| pieces: Availability; Quality of Materials; | | | | more valuable. |