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Sponsored Costume Jewelry Results:
The Dramatic Uses Of Costume Jewelry
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Published: July 25, 2006
Affordable, stylish, and even disposable, costume jewelry has held its glamorous appeal to American women for decades. From bold, brightly colored earrings and bracelets to cheap, diamond look-a-likes, costume jewelry has become more than just a single outfit accessory since its beginnings in the early 1900's. What's more, it has grown to become a sort of staple in many women's jewelry collections.
Often worn more frequently than even expensive, fine jewelry pieces, costume jewelry may not be timeless or classic, but where it lacks it makes up in cost and appearance. Add a few finishing touches to an outfit or perfectly match a unique style or color scheme. Just be sure, though, to overlook the imperfections and don't expect it to become the next family heirloom.
Costume jewelry owes its beginnings to the time of the risque flapper image, original cocktail parties and the prohibition period. During the 1920s and 30s, when extravagant accessories complimented short, tight, revealing dresses, costume jewelry was first introduced as a cost-efficient way to add an additional element of recklessness to their usual brazen attire. Coco Chanel was the first jeweler to market costume jewelry, introducing fake or plastic long pendants, bangle bracelets, and cocktail rings with over-sized stones. Other elaborate accessories were later added into the era known as the Roaring 20s, including cigarette cases and holders.
The sudden craze with costume jewelry came to a temporary halt, though, with the onset of the Great Depression. Beginning in 1935, however, limited exports due to the war in Europe caused an increase in American-made jewelry. Popular costume jewelry styles adopted more of a natural look during this period, which ended in 1950. Here flowers, bows and moonstones were common elements within jewelry pieces of the time.
Following World War II jewelry designs generally became more traditional. Costume jewelry continued its surge in demand with bold, chunky bracelets and necklaces, charm bracelets, and rhinestones. Such modern styles contrasted other designs of the time, distinguishing costume jewelry and finally establishing it as a category of its own. Even skeptical jewelers could not refute its success by this time. Wholesalers began buying and selling costume jewelry, which made it increasingly more available to women nationwide.
From the 1960s and beyond, costume jewelry has maintained a large role within the jewelry industry. As fashion styles constantly change each season, costume jewelry continues to follow every trend while also remaining an affordable accessory that's easily discarded once it goes out of style.
Often worn more frequently than even expensive, fine jewelry pieces, costume jewelry may not be timeless or classic, but where it lacks it makes up in cost and appearance. Add a few finishing touches to an outfit or perfectly match a unique style or color scheme. Just be sure, though, to overlook the imperfections and don't expect it to become the next family heirloom.
Costume jewelry owes its beginnings to the time of the risque flapper image, original cocktail parties and the prohibition period. During the 1920s and 30s, when extravagant accessories complimented short, tight, revealing dresses, costume jewelry was first introduced as a cost-efficient way to add an additional element of recklessness to their usual brazen attire. Coco Chanel was the first jeweler to market costume jewelry, introducing fake or plastic long pendants, bangle bracelets, and cocktail rings with over-sized stones. Other elaborate accessories were later added into the era known as the Roaring 20s, including cigarette cases and holders.
The sudden craze with costume jewelry came to a temporary halt, though, with the onset of the Great Depression. Beginning in 1935, however, limited exports due to the war in Europe caused an increase in American-made jewelry. Popular costume jewelry styles adopted more of a natural look during this period, which ended in 1950. Here flowers, bows and moonstones were common elements within jewelry pieces of the time.
Following World War II jewelry designs generally became more traditional. Costume jewelry continued its surge in demand with bold, chunky bracelets and necklaces, charm bracelets, and rhinestones. Such modern styles contrasted other designs of the time, distinguishing costume jewelry and finally establishing it as a category of its own. Even skeptical jewelers could not refute its success by this time. Wholesalers began buying and selling costume jewelry, which made it increasingly more available to women nationwide.
From the 1960s and beyond, costume jewelry has maintained a large role within the jewelry industry. As fashion styles constantly change each season, costume jewelry continues to follow every trend while also remaining an affordable accessory that's easily discarded once it goes out of style.
