Editing Costume jewelry (section)

==General history==
Costume jewelry has been part of the culture for almost 300 years. During the 18th century, jewelers began making pieces with inexpensive glass. In the 19th century, costume jewelry made of semi-precious material came into the market. Jewels made of semi-precious material were more affordable, allowing common people to own costume jewelry.<ref name="Schiffer">Schiffer, Nancy. ''The Best of Costume Jewelry''. Atglen: Schiffer Publishing, 1999.</ref>

However, the real golden era for costume jewelry began in the middle of the 20th century. The new [[middle class]] wanted beautiful, but affordable jewelry. The demand for jewelry of this type coincided with the machine age and the [[Industrial Revolution]]. The revolution made the production of carefully executed replicas of admired [[heirloom]] pieces possible.<ref name="Baker" />

As the class structure in America changed, so did measures of real wealth. Women in all social stations, even working-class women, could own a small piece of costume jewelry. The average town and countrywoman could acquire and wear a considerable amount of this mass-produced jewelry that was both affordable and stylish.<ref name="Schiffer" />

Costume jewelry was also made popular by various designers in the mid-20th century. Some of the most remembered names in costume jewelry include both the high and low priced brands: Crown Trifari, [[Dior]], [[Chanel]], [[Miriam Haskell]], [[Gustave Sherman|Sherman]], [[Monet]], [[Napier Company (jewellery)|Napier]], [[Corocraft]], [[Coventry]], and Kim Craftsmen.<ref name="Baker"/><ref>Felth, Molly. "Kim Craftsmen – A Tale of Two Brothers." CJCI Magazine, Summer 2010 – Vol. 1, Issue 2.</ref>

A significant factor in the popularization of costume jewelry was Hollywood movies. The leading female stars of the 1940s and 1950s often wore and endorsed the pieces produced by various designers. If you admired a necklace worn by [[Bette Davis]] in ''[[The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex]]'', you could buy a copy from [[Joseff of Hollywood]], who made the original. Stars such as [[Vivien Leigh]], [[Elizabeth Taylor]], and [[Jane Russell]] appeared in adverts for the pieces and the availability of the collections in shops such as [[F.W. Woolworth Company|Woolworth]] made it possible for ordinary women to own and wear such jewelry.<ref>See Tanenbaum, C. (2006) ''Fabulous Fakes: A Passion for Vintage Costume Jewelry'', {{ISBN|978-1-57965-292-0}}.</ref>

[[Coco Chanel]] greatly popularized the use of [[wikt:faux|faux]] jewelry in her years as a fashion designer, bringing costume jewelry to life with gold and faux pearls. Chanel's designs drew from various historical styles, including Byzantine and [[Renaissance]] influences, often featuring crosses and intricate metalwork. Her collaboration with glassmakers, such as the Gripoix family, introduced richly colored glass beads and simulated gemstones, which added depth to her creations without the high cost of traditional precious stones.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Coco Chanel Jewelry - All You Need To Know |url=https://dsfantiquejewelry.com/blogs/time-blog/coco-chanel-jewelry-the-history?_pos=34&_sid=44c6b0a0b&_ss=r |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=DSF Antique Jewelry |language=en}}</ref> 
[[Kenneth Jay Lane]] has since the 1960s been known for creating unique pieces for [[Jackie Onassis]], [[Elizabeth Taylor]], [[Diana Vreeland]], and [[Audrey Hepburn]]. He is probably best known for his three-strand faux pearl necklace worn by [[Barbara Bush]] to her husband's [[inaugural]] ball. Celebrated names who wore Lane's creations include Jackie Kennedy, Babe Paley, the Duchess of Windsor, and Nancy Reagan.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chicago |first=Classic |date=2022-05-28 |title=Kenneth Jay Lane and His Fabulous Fakes {{!}} Classic Chicago Magazine |url=https://classicchicagomagazine.com/kenneth-jay-lane-and-his-fabulous-fakes/ |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=classicchicagomagazine.com |language=en-US}}</ref> 

[[Elsa Schiaparelli]] brought surrealist influences into costume jewelry design, collaborating with artists such as [[Salvador Dalí]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-01-10 |title=Remembering Elsa Schiaparelli: A Look at the World's First Surrealist Fashion Designer |url=https://lonewolfmag.com/elsa-schiaparelli-surrealist-fashion-designer/ |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=Lone Wolf Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>

In many instances, high-end fashion jewelry has achieved a "collectible" status and increased value over time. Today, there is a substantial secondary market for [[vintage (design)|vintage]] fashion jewelry. The main collecting market is for 'signed pieces', which have the maker's mark, usually stamped on the reverse. Amongst the most sought after are [[Miriam Haskell]], Sherman, [[Corocraft|Coro]], Butler and Wilson, Crown Trifari, and Sphinx. However, there is also demand for good quality 'unsigned' pieces, especially if they are of an unusual design.<ref>Miller, J. (2007) ''Costume Jewellery'', {{ISBN|1-4053-1812-0}}.</ref>