| Costume jewelry became known as "costume" | | | | movement by artists toward a style known as Art |
| jewelry because of its use in stage costumes. Like its | | | | Deco. This artistic movement is easily noted in |
| use on the stage, costume jewelry is a fashion | | | | costume pieces in the geometric designs. Long |
| accessory that is meant just to look good. It is often | | | | pendants and beading (think those worn by flappers) |
| made of materials that are not considered valuable | | | | in either black and white or very bold colors were |
| including glass, plastic and base metals. Gem stones | | | | most evident. Pastels were almost non-existent. |
| are generally synthetic look-a-likes. Unlike precious | | | | Following the Art Deco designs, the Retro period |
| jewelry, costume jewelry shouldn't be considered to | | | | brought a feeling of sophistication and peace. |
| be an investment but some pieces may be | | | | Flowers, military insignias, bows and sunburst designs |
| considered worthy of being called a keepsake. Coco | | | | were very prevalent in the costume jewelry of the |
| Chanel may have been the most recognized designer | | | | period. Modernist artists followed the Retro period |
| of costume jewelry pieces, but Kenneth Jay Lane | | | | with styles that were understated and quietly classy. |
| created costume jewelry pieces that may have been | | | | Theme based costume jewelry such as holiday |
| among the most recognizable pieces. For instance, | | | | specific pieces became so popular that there was a |
| Lane created the three-strand pearl necklace worn | | | | move toward mass production of the beautiful |
| by Barbara Bush at the inaugural ball. Vintage pieces | | | | costume jewelry pieces. |
| of both Coco's and Lane's work sell for top dollar at | | | | In the interim years costume jewelry was more of |
| top auction houses in New York including Christie's | | | | an understated accessory to be seen and not heard. |
| and Sotheby's. | | | | Recently, however, there has been a move toward |
| Costume jewelry has a look, a style, an attitude all its | | | | bigger, more elaborate new costume jewelry pieces |
| own. In addition, it contains a great deal of | | | | as well as collecting older, vintage pieces. Style, |
| information about the period of time it was created. | | | | fashion, and attitudes that are remarkably personal in |
| For example, during the 1920s and 1930s there was a | | | | their costume jewelry fashion statements. |