Most people define vintage costume jewelry as anything manufactured from 1930 - 1970. A great deal of it was made then in the United States and Europe. Costume jewelry was targeted for the middle income women who loved pretty things but didn't have the budget to purchase fine jewelry with real precious stones and solid gold.
Some of the designers at the time had names like Weiss, Trifari, Kramer and more. They understood the need to use lesser expensive materials in order to provide a product that more women could afford and that they could still turn a profit on. Also during times of war, a lot of the materials were diverted for war use. So they had to be flexible and creative at the same time.
Even though the designers used less expensive materials, they took pride in their work and designed jewelry that would make the average woman stop in her tracks at the department store and say, "Wow." These pieces became an opportunity for her to purchase something to impress her friends. We know the designers strived to compete with others for two reasons: (1) They could build an artistic reputation upon it and (2) There were a whole lot more middle class women out there than the rich elite. So while they might have less of a profit per piece they had the potential to sell thousands of the item if it caught on.
Whether you are a vintage jewelry collector or just buy to accessorize a special outfit, you the buyer can benefit from this past history. That is because there is no comparison of the quality of vintage costume jewelry and the product of costume jewelry that is manufactured today (which mostly comes from China.) Take a few minutes to watch this Youtube Video about vintage costume jewelry history. You will be glad you did! Any comments will be welcome.
Some of the designers at the time had names like Weiss, Trifari, Kramer and more. They understood the need to use lesser expensive materials in order to provide a product that more women could afford and that they could still turn a profit on. Also during times of war, a lot of the materials were diverted for war use. So they had to be flexible and creative at the same time.
Even though the designers used less expensive materials, they took pride in their work and designed jewelry that would make the average woman stop in her tracks at the department store and say, "Wow." These pieces became an opportunity for her to purchase something to impress her friends. We know the designers strived to compete with others for two reasons: (1) They could build an artistic reputation upon it and (2) There were a whole lot more middle class women out there than the rich elite. So while they might have less of a profit per piece they had the potential to sell thousands of the item if it caught on.
Whether you are a vintage jewelry collector or just buy to accessorize a special outfit, you the buyer can benefit from this past history. That is because there is no comparison of the quality of vintage costume jewelry and the product of costume jewelry that is manufactured today (which mostly comes from China.) Take a few minutes to watch this Youtube Video about vintage costume jewelry history. You will be glad you did! Any comments will be welcome.