| Costume jewelry is the favorite playmate of every | | | | made replicas of much admired heirloom pieces went |
| female but have you ever wondered when did it | | | | onto become a huge hit among the masses. |
| actually originate and how did it become so popular | | | | It was further made popular by designers like |
| among the masses? If not then here is a brief | | | | Corocraft, Monet, Dior, Chanel etc. Another significant |
| history of the emergence and popularity of costume | | | | factor in popularizing the imitation jewelry back then, |
| jewelry. | | | | were the Hollywood movies. The leading ladies of the |
| The costume jewelry first started in the 1700s when | | | | film fraternity during 1940s and 50s often endorsed |
| cheap glass jewelries were made. It was then | | | | the designer jewelry pieces which they wore in their |
| swapped almost after a century, with jewelries made | | | | movies. The format was simple- if you liked a |
| up of semi precious stones and materials. The use of | | | | necklace carried by Bette Davis in The Private Lives |
| inexpensive materials made these jewelries find their | | | | of Elizabeth and Essex, then you can buy a copy of |
| niche amongst the commoners. People liked it for its | | | | the same from Joseff, the original designer of the |
| affordability and as an alternate option for the | | | | piece. Stars like Vivien Leigh, Elizabeth Taylor and |
| expensive authentic jewelries. | | | | Jane Russell endorsed the designer pieces in |
| Though fashion jewelry had entered the market in | | | | advertisements which were later supplied to stores |
| 1700 but the golden period for these jewelries | | | | like Woolsworths, making the revered pieces |
| started only past the early twentieth century. It was | | | | accessible to the ordinary women. |
| the period when a new section called the "learned | | | | Costume jewelry has indeed come a long way, with |
| middle class" was emerging in the society. The people | | | | people associating the high-end fashion accessories to |
| who belonged to this category were learned | | | | 'collectible' status today and its a fact that jewelry |
| professionals like teachers, doctors etc. Females | | | | trends might come and go, but one thing which |
| belonging to this category demanded for beautiful but | | | | would stay constantly on the fashion front is the |
| affordable jewelry which was duly met in the dawn | | | | craze for costume jewelry. |
| of machine-age and industrial revolution. Machine | | | | |