| Vintage costume jewelry is a far cry from the | | | | than something from one larger manufacturers-but |
| fashion pieces you will find in most department | | | | this is only a guide and not a steadfast rule. But |
| stores. In fact, while new costume jewelry will literally | | | | beware, even the major costume jewelry |
| depreciate in value, signed vintage jewelry from the | | | | manufacturers like Trifari and Coro would have limited |
| 1920's through the late 1960's and early 70's is still | | | | runs of specialty pieces that are now considered |
| appreciating in value. Thousands of jewelry | | | | quite valuable due to their rarity-just as is the case |
| enthusiasts are finding vintage jewelry collecting | | | | with the smaller companies. |
| profitable-when they know what to look for when | | | | The demand varies greatly among costume jewelry |
| buying. | | | | pieces and can play a larger role than any other |
| Identifying the valuable vintage costume necklaces, | | | | variable when it comes to final price determination. |
| rings, and other pieces to collect boils down to | | | | What ultimately determines demand is difficult to |
| knowing what actually determines value on the | | | | isolate but its affect upon pricing is definite: greater |
| market. No precious metals or gemstones are used | | | | demand means higher prices. |
| to make costume pieces but some jewelry is plated | | | | The big collectibles right now commanding top dollar |
| with precious metals like gold or silver. In addition, | | | | are signed vintage necklaces, earrings, and bracelets |
| vintage costume jewelry pieces were produced en | | | | from Miriam Haskell. Learning which pieces are |
| masse at factories unlike fine jewelry. | | | | collectible and which are just pretty is the most |
| Some costume designs have become so popular that | | | | critical step towards collecting for a profit. Profits |
| they now are worth many times their original sale | | | | tend to be highest for investors when they do their |
| price. Making big money is possible when collecting | | | | homework and avoid purchasing pieces they like as |
| but you need to understand what determines value | | | | opposed to the ones they know to be profitable. |
| so you can purchase the most profitable pieces to | | | | Demand is probably affected by the originality of the |
| resale. Pricing for vintage pieces can be broken down | | | | design more than anything else. It is not uncommon |
| into five main components: | | | | for experienced investors to avoid the signed vintage |
| Rarity | | | | jewelry pieces because their demand can make |
| Originality of Design | | | | collecting them less profitable than the unsigned |
| Demand | | | | pieces. |
| Quality of Materials and Craftsmanship | | | | Besides, the fact remains that a rather significant |
| Final Condition | | | | portion of the entire vintage costume stock is |
| The supply of vintage jewelry varies greatly and this | | | | unsigned because many companies did not begin |
| affects pricing in a big way. The great diversity of | | | | signing pieces until the 1940's and beyond. Collectors |
| manufacturers also created vast differences in batch | | | | can optimize profits by locating the unsigned pieces |
| sizes. Profits tend to be lower when talking about | | | | by the top manufacturers and this is made possible |
| pieces made by the larger players like Coro and | | | | by knowing the design traits of each of the major |
| Accessocraft who produced jewelry in large batches. | | | | manufacturers. To learn more about the particular |
| DeMario, McClelland, and other small companies might | | | | design tendencies of the vintage costume jewelry |
| only have batch sizes numbering in the hundreds. | | | | manufacturers, a great resource is: "Costume |
| Because they are so much rarer, those pieces from | | | | Jewelry: A Practical Handbook and Value Guide" by |
| the smaller companies will almost always sell for more | | | | Fred Rezazedeh. |