The roaring 20’s saw the birth of costume jewelry in the United States. Fabulous Fakes is a term used for Antique American Costume Jewelry. It is generally fashioned of sterling silver, gold plated metals, colorful glass stone as well as stunning rhinestones. Many designers such as Miriam Haskell began producing their lines of jewelry styles near the mid-twenties. Meanwhile during the 20’s and 30’s, many immigrants from Europe began producing their own lines of superb jewelry styles in places such as New York, Chicago and Providence, Rhode Island.

In the 1940’s Hollywood celebrities began wearing costume jewelry in films as well as in their everyday lives, this helped increase the popularity of this type of jewelry. Joseff of Hollywood is one of the most well know designers of such items, while other popular designers include, Nettie Rosenstein, Eisenberg Originals, Hattie Carnegie as well as Napier and Ciner. The most difficult to find are pieces that date from the 1930’s and into the mid-fifties. While the most desirable of all, are pieces that are signed by the designer or bear hallmarks as they are the most valuable to possess.

Today collecting vintage costume jewelry is very trendy and popular. It is possible for various antique pieces to sell for more than a few thousand dollars. One of the boldest of fashion statements is wearing classic costume jewelry. Today you will find that many celebrities enjoy wearing their favorite costume jewelry, such as Demi Moore, Sarah Jessica Parker, Diane Keaton, Nicolette Sheridan and of course, Madonna. With all those bright, bold and vibrant colors on a larger than life scale, who can blame them for showing off their antique costume jewelry? Vintage pieces are extremely stunning and original owing to their thoughtful craftsmanship.

Costume Jewelry Collector Tips

While searching for precious antique pieces, you should keep these tips in mind, since they can be difficult to fix, make sure the pin clasps function properly and avoid pieces that are turning green. You should also avoid pieces that are missing their stones, since they are not easily replaceable. Some of the best places to look for vintage costume jewelry include flea markets and antique fairs and garage sales, since they generally turn up some very interesting pieces at good prices, sometimes even unbelievable deals. Another interesting place to find great deals on such pieces include rummaging through church bazaars, since you may be able to find jewelry that has been packed away by someone’s dear old aunt or grandmother.

You can build your own memorable family heirlooms by purchasing discount costume jewelry. Besides you can build your own personal collection of breathtaking modern pieces, and possibly have in your collection something as desirable and valuable as those sought by collectors of antique pieces today. For instance, if its affordable it would be beneficial to you to purchase several pieces from designers such as, Prada and Armani, especially considering their couture collections. Especially since these pieces are genuinely original and made only in very small quantities.

Since the beginning of time, humans have made use of creating ornamental jewelry for their personal adornment. In fact recently, there have been located Nassaruis shell beads, that date back as far as one hundred thousand years. That is a very long time when you consider the manufacturing of functional and decorative jewelry. However, historically many jewelry items were first created as a means of fastening ones clothing, the display of wealth and status in society as well as for creating storage units for coins and other trinkets in jewelry boxes. With a bit of research, you will find that various cultures have their own cherished wealthy possessions of precious metals and gemstones. Long ago, wedding dowries included such treasures as the family jewels for a daughter about to be married.

The Early Age of Jewelry

The Cro-Magnons were some of the first jewelry makers, approximately 40,000 years ago. The graves of Cro-Magnons, were commonly found with jewelry made from anything from mother-of-pearl, to stones, bones, teeth and mammoth tusks. Bracelets and necklaces were strung onto pieces of string or animal sinew. They held their clothing together with carved bones. Around 7,000 years ago, copper appeared on the scene of jewelry making.

Some of the most well-known jewelry makers were the ancient Egyptians, who began incorporating gold into their jewelry, which was one of their most favorite metals to work with, approximately 3,000 to 5,000 years ago. Although, the ancient Egyptians had an abundance of precious gemstones to work with, they often preferred to use colorful pieces of glass in their jewelry. They had some very impressive formulas for creating the desired color glass, since various colors were important and significant for fashionable jewelry of that time. For example, the color red symbolized the need of Isis for blood, while green represented new growth and fertility in crops. Most often Egyptian jewelry workshops were attached to their temples and palaces.

Ancient Greece was the birthplace of several types of fashion jewelry worn today, such as the cameos fashioned by Greek jewelry makers. Most often ancient Greek women wore jewelry for commemorating the special occasions of their lives as well as for any appearances in public. They were especially fond of precious metals, such as gold, silver and bronze, while they enjoyed the stunning appearance of pearls, emeralds and amethyst as well as other interesting gemstones. Jewelry then was most often given as gifts, while showing off their social status of wealth as well as for the beauty. Later they incorporated the use of clay and ivory into their jewelry ensembles. Most often their jewelry held special religious symbols, while other styles offered the comfort of lending the owner mystic powers and protection.

Meanwhile, the ancient Romans added their own special flair of creative artistry into jewelry making styles, such as the ever popular brooch. However, their pinning creation was born of the need for securely fastening their clothing. The ancient Romans were very fond of imported goods and made beautiful use of such gemstones as diamonds, emeralds, sapphires and amber. Although the majority of Roman men wore one ring upon a finger, however, there were some who wore more, their women usually wore many more pieces of jewelry than they. Rings of that time were often carved of beautiful gemstones, and utilized for sealing documents with an engraved wax seal, as was customary during the middle ages by kings and noblemen alike.

Considering that our ancient ancestors had a lot to do with the constantly evolving world of jewelry making, we owe them a great debt of thankfulness, for their inspirational means of fashioning functional and ornamental jewelry styles of various gold and stunning gemstones.

In comparison with fine designer fashion jewelry, discount fashion jewelry is typically made with less expense materials, such as inexpensive metals, stones and gems. Keep in mind that discount fashion jewelry is worn to keep up with the trends of modern fashions, while more expensive jewelry is a true investment as well as collectible and made for gift giving. This means that more individuals can decently afford the more reasonable prices of discount jewelry. Being affordable, many individuals choose to purchase more jewelry pieces to match everything in their fashionable wardrobes.

Fashion jewelry changes regularly with the trends, since every now and again many individuals choose to wear pearls, silver, gold, copper, platinum as well as gold plated jewelry, depending on the what’s hot list. The top trend setters are famous celebrities and other fashion icons. Decade to decade the fashion icons and their fads of favorite fashion jewelry and clothing will vary. Various types of jewelry and clothing will be popular in each decade. For instance, the classic pearl necklace became fashionable again when worn by the beautiful Julia Roberts. Other occurrences such as this are related to other countless celebrities as well. It is a beneficial investment to acquire your own discount fashion jewelry, since you can keep up with the constantly changing styles of today with out going broke.

The Launching of Stunning Discount Fashion Jewelry

Fifty years ago, fashion jewelry became widespread in the general public, while more designers began producing their dazzling styles of discount fashion jewelry, with its increasing popularity in everyday wear. Many of the pieces designed in between the 1930’s and 1950’s bear beautiful designs and craftsmanship, although their methods of producing jewelry was not as advanced as our is today. Antique pieces from that time, are bought and sold by modern collectors for thousands of dollars.

Fashion jewelry is an essential element in daily wear. Many individuals enjoy wearing the same fashion trends as the celebrities they love, when it comes to choosing their rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets. However, designer jewelry worn by their favorite fashion icons, can be very expensive and unaffordable to many individuals. However, many creative designers are producing discount fashion jewelry that surpasses the appearance of its expensive counter part pieces. Many of these beautiful pieces are fashioned from less expensive materials, that are very similar in appearance to the originals that it can be very hard to tell the difference while gazing at them with the naked eye.

Welcome to Silver Bracelet News

Silver Bracelet News is about more than silver bracelets. It's about jewelry design and fashion, jewelry making and supplies, jewelry care and repair. You'll find tips to help you select the best pieces of jewelry for you. You will learn how to properly care for them so that they last you a long, long time. Thanks for visiting. Enjoy. :-)


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