Vintage Costume Jewelry - What to Look For

When looking for vintage costume jewelry, it can beIt can be hard for many vintage collectors because
tiring and cumbersome for the collector to knowmost of the jewelry is "unsigned" meaning the name
which pieces are going to bring in a big profit andbrand is not engraved on it. This makes it difficult to
which one's are not. Unlike expensive fine gold andknow which pieces are worth more, but a veteran
diamond jewelry, costume jewelry was made forcollector knows that an unsigned piece with a
much cheaper, using base metals and semi-preciousdistinctive design can be very lucrative. There are
stones. Although it was made wholesale, you shouldways to tell manufacturers apart simply by their
never mistake it for the cheap pieces you find indesigns.
department stores today.The materials that went into making the piece also
When it comes down to it, collecting profitable piecesmakes up a large part of its price. Pay close attention
means finding the ones that are worth a lot yet stillto the stones or gems and how well it is put
avoiding those that may look nice, but won't get youtogether. This can be a determining factor in your
anything. Costume jewelry that is in great demandsuccess as a vintage costume jewelry collector.
will always get you a great deal of cash. EisenbergAt the end of the day, it is the quality or condition of
and Miriam Haskell are two of the names you shouldthe piece that determines its final price. However,
definitely look out for, as they are usually hot ticketeven pieces that have undergone substantial
items. However, some designs are collectible whiledeterioration may still bring in a good bit of money. If
others aren't. Remember that while the most popularyou use these tips, you can make a good profit as a
designs are usually the most profitable, this is notvintage costume jewelry collector.
always the case.