Interesting Facts About Costume Jewellery

Costume jewellery is widely popular all over the world. It is worn by people of all walks of life right up to famous and affluent people. Costume jewellery became popular more than three hundred years ago when cheap jewellery was made with glass. In the 1800s costume jewellery began to be made with semi precious stones and other materials.

This made the jewellery available to the common people who had previously been unable to afford to wear jewellery Costume jewellery received a huge surge in popularity in the middle of the twentieth century when the middle class wanted to wear pretty and expensive looking jewellery without having to pay a lot of money for it.




It was during this time that machines began doing a lot of production work which made it possible for costume jewellery to be made that looked like heirloom pieces.


What Is Costume Jewellery?

Costume jewellery is also known as fashion jewellery, junk jewellery and fake jewellery It was specifically made to be an ornament to go with fashionable attires or costumes of the day. Thus the name costume jewellery It gained a lot of notoriety in the 1930’s when it was marketed as a cheap and disposable fashion accessory to go with a certain outfit.

It was something to be worn and enjoyed as opposed to traditional jewellery that was too precious and expensive to wear out in public very much and was mostly kept put away for safe keeping.

Costume jewellery is jewellery that is made from materials that are less valuable than traditional jewellery It is typically made from base metals, glass, plastic, and synthetic stones. These are often made to mimic the appearance of precious metals and gems that are found in traditional jewellery

When the social and class structures in America changed the measures of wealth also shifted. Suddenly all women could own a piece of jewellery, even working class women with little money to spare. One of the most desirable things about costume jewellery was the fact that any woman could afford to own some and it was both pretty and fashionable to wear it.

When costume jewellery was first made it was hand crafted and hand made. Many people feel that the invention of machines to craft costume jewellery ruined the unique beauty of the previously hand crafted items. However the use of machines made mass production of costume jewellery possible which in turn made it more affordable. This made it possible for women of lower classes that did not have a lot of disposable income to purchase and enjoy costume jewellery

Costume jewellery has been made by many reputable designers such as Coco Chanel who made costume jewellery every bit a fashion statement. Other famous costume jewellery designers include Monet who had a beautiful line of costume jewellery that was featured and sold by Liz Claiborne, as well as Kenneth Jay Lane and Joan Rivers.

Pearl Costume Jewellery

Costume jewellery can be made to imitate the appearance of many different types of precious stones and gems including pearls. Pearl costume jewellery became even more popular after first lady Barbara Bush wore a three strand faux pearl necklace to the inaugural ball of her husband, George Bush.

The necklace was designed by Kenneth Jay Lane who also famously designed pearl costume jewellery for Jackie Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn. Pearl costume jewellery is popular due to its realistic appearance and feel. Many people can not afford to purchase a real pearl necklace, but with costume jewellery that looks just like a real pearl necklace they no longer have to.


Vintage Costume Jewellery

Vintage costume jewellery has become increasingly popular in recent times. Vintage costume jewellery is jewellery that was made in bygone times. While costume jewellery in general is relatively inexpensive vintage costume jewellery can be a bit more expensive. Some vintage costume jewellery that is especially expensive are Victorian jewellery.