Costume Jewelry

Listed on this page are our antique and vintage costume jewelry pieces for sale. Both today and in the past, gold and silver jewelry was expensive, and beyond the means of many. However, many companies produced affordable silver and gold plated or toned pieces made of base metals and rhinestones or semi-precious stones, or made pieces of molded or carved glass, Bakelite, or shell that are of stunning beauty and excellent workmanship, and are in great demand today. The greatest demand are for eye-catching dramatic pieces, and for items made by some of the great costume jewelry companies including Trifari (1910-1994), Miriam Haskell (1926-1960 classic period), Coro (1900-1979), Schiaparelli (1931-1973), Weiss (1942-1971), Monet (1937-present), and Eisenberg (1935-present), and Napier (1875-1999).

The age of a necklace can be in part dated by the type of clasp. Lobster clasps and magnetic clasps are modern. Barrel screw type clasps are seem most common during the 1970s and 1980s, but were introduced much earlier (Victorian “barrel and pin” clasps. Hook or shepherd crook clasps were most common in the 1960s and 1970s. Box clasps, which date to the 1800s, and most common to the 1950s. These may be a circular or rectangular box, often ornamented with jewels, into which is inserted have either a V-shaped pin or hook (“hook and box”)or v shaped band of spring medal, that locks the clasp together (tongue and groove catch). Spring rings are typical from the 1960s to 1980s.