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Vintage Costume Jewelry: Hidden Value To The Trained Eye

by Sandi_Kapiszka

Never mistake vintage costume jewelry with the cheap reproduction
jewelry you see in most malls and department stores. In fact,
vintage costume necklaces, bracelets, and other pieces were
originally purchased by American soldiers in French boutiques,
and brought home after the First World War. Trifari, Coro, and
dozens of American manufacturers soon began producing the designs
and pieces that have turned into some of the most prized
collectibles on the vintage market today.

Unlike the fashion jewelry produced and sold today, vintage
pieces have dramatically appreciated in value over the years and
are expected to continue doing so in the future. Buying low and
selling high is very possible in the world of vintage jewelry
collecting, but identifying the most profitable pieces is an art
all of its own. Investors need to look at five main areas to
assess value of a vintage piece of costume jewelry:

Demand
Market Supply
Craftsmanship
Design
Condition

From basic economics we know that higher demand will lead to
greater price points, and ultimately raise profits for the
investor. Signed vintage necklaces, brooches, and earrings by
Miriam Haskell are currently the hot items in the costume jewelry
market, but being able to identify the valuable items from the
pretty imitators is what separates the successful collectors from
the mere hobbyist. Remember, the most popular designs are not
necessarily the prettiest or most unique but they will tend to be
more profitable to collect.

So why do people like some pieces but not others? Novice
collectors tend to focus exclusively on signed pieces, but often
the unsigned, well-designed pieces prove to be the most
profitable to collect. In truth, the vast majority of vintage
costume pieces are actually unsigned. Simply knowing what makes a
stunning design unique can help you identify the unsigned pieces
and optimize profits. The exceptional quality of jewelry designs
from companies like Hollycraft and Bergere make unsigned pieces
from these companies both easy to recognize and very profitable
to collect.

The type and quality of gemstones used is typically the most
relevant factor to the price of a vintage piece of costume
jewelry. The majority of vintage costume pieces are indeed made
with relatively inexpensive semi-precious materials, but seasoned
collectors know that a few companies went all out and only used
exceptionally high quality gemstones in their jewelry. Try
locating pieces from companies like Eisenberg or Bogoff as they
almost always used the best stones possible. Other designers who
have excellent craftsmanship and design with great potential to
buy low and sell high include Kramer, Danecraft, and Trifari.

Last but certainly not least, the condition of the jewelry plays
a critical role in its value. With some pieces nearing 100 years
old, it is quite common to find vintage jewelry showing
significant signs of wear including scratches, peeling,
discoloration, and even missing stones. But while some degree of
wear is expected, it is not the only factor that determines
price. Collecting vintage costume pieces is still a very
profitable venture for anyone knowing how to identify the truly
profitable pieces.

Sandi Kapiszka is a vintage costume jewelry collector
specializing in <a
href="http://www.vintagetemptations.com">period sets</a>.

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