| Costume jewelry is absolutely perfect when it | | | | - Originality of Design |
| comes to adding diversity and a sheer sense of | | | | - Durability/Craftsmanship |
| adventure to your collection. Unlike fine jewelry | | | | Essentially, there is both cheap costume jewelry |
| which seems positively destined to be labeled as | | | | and the more expensive and higher quality vintage |
| classic or elegant, costume pieces can allow the | | | | pieces. There are still some companies making |
| wearer to display the varying facets of their | | | | high quality pieces today but far fewer than |
| personality. And if its elegance and traditional | | | | during the heyday of the 1920's thru the 1960's. |
| grandeur you're looking for, then vintage costume | | | | Depending on your personal taste, you can find |
| jewelry is definitely the way to go and features | | | | elegant pieces for more formal occasions as well |
| an assortment of pieces and designs that span | | | | as a host of items that can just be fun to wear |
| over seven decades! You name it, costume | | | | around the house. Although costume or fashion |
| pieces are available in any style or type, including: | | | | jewelry started to wane in popularity in the late |
| - Bracelets | | | | 1970's and beyond, it has since made a big |
| - Necklaces | | | | comeback and is more popular than ever--and not |
| - Pendants | | | | just in America! It is quite customary in |
| - Anklets | | | | contemporary Indian weddings for the participants |
| - Charm Bracelets | | | | to spend vast sums of money purchasing |
| - Rings | | | | specialized "wedding costume jewelry". |
| - Earrings | | | | In some cases, the jewelry is only purchased and |
| Also referred to as fashion jewelry, costume | | | | worn for the wedding itself so it is not only |
| pieces can be made out of a wide assortment of | | | | fashionable to purchase the costume pieces--it is |
| materials, including: | | | | very practical as well! Authentic Indian costume |
| - Sterling Silver | | | | jewelry, if 20 years or older and relatively rare, is |
| - Gold Plate | | | | actually a collector's item and can command |
| - Rhinestones of varying quality | | | | relatively large sums at flea markets, on eBay, |
| - Glass | | | | etc. |
| - Semi-precious stones like amethyst, topaz, and | | | | But whether you are looking for jewelry to |
| moonstone | | | | attend a wedding or simply to add some diversity |
| - Beads | | | | and unique styling to your collection, costume |
| - Bakelite | | | | pieces are a welcome breath of fresh air in a |
| Essentially, the value of the metal and gemstones | | | | world seemingly dominated by diamonds, rubies, |
| used to make jewelry is what distinguishing the | | | | sapphires, and gold. Collectors of vintage costume |
| fine from the costume variety. However, there | | | | jewelry love the challenge of sorting through bin |
| are actually a large number of factors that help | | | | after bin of seemingly "worthless" pieces to find |
| determine the price of vintage costume pieces, | | | | the rare gems that are prized by enthusiasts and |
| including: | | | | lay persons alike. If you take the time and know |
| - Market Demand | | | | what to look for, collecting vintage costume |
| - Available Supply | | | | jewelry can be a very profitable hobby! |
| - Materials Used | | | | |