Home > Learning Center > Costume Jewelry

Costume Jewelry

Costume Jewelry is made to go along with certain outfits or costumes. Costume jewelry is the first jewelry manufactured as ornamentation for the masses to complement a particular fashionable garment or costume. Costume jewelry came into being in the 1930s as a cheap, disposable accessory meant to be worn with a specific outfit.

Costume Jewelry was intended to be fashionable for a short period of time, outdate itself, and then be repurchased to fit with a new outfit or new fashion style. Its main use is in fashion, as opposed to real or fine jewelry which may be regarded primarily as collectibles, keepsakes, or investments. Costume jewelry is made of less valuable materials including base metals, glass, plastic, and synthetic stones; in place of more valuable materials such as precious metals and gems.

Costume Jewelry was made of inexpensive simulated gemstones, such as rhinestones or Lucite, set in pewter, silver, nickel or brass. During the depression years, rhinestones were even down-graded by some manufacturers to meet the cost of production. Modern costume jewelry incorporates a wide range of materials.

 

Gold Jewelry | Silver Jewelry| Learning Center | Site Map | Links | Contact | Home

Copyright © 2009