Hi derek1,
I hope that the information below will be satisfactory to you, but if
not don't hesitate to ask for clarification!
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Definition of Costume Jewelry
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Merriam-Webster dictionary sums Costume Jewelry up well
http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary
"Main Entry: costume jewelry
Function: noun
Date: 1927
: jewelry designed for wear with current fashions and usually made of
inexpensive materials "
****
at Dictionary.com it'd described as
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=costume%20jewelry
"costume jewelry
n.
Jewelry made from inexpensive metals and imitation or semiprecious
stones"
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Brief History
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From http://www.fashion-era.com/jewellery.htm
"Sumptuary Laws in C13th Medieval Europe came into force and capped
luxury in dress and jewellery. Townspeople in France, were not allowed
to wear girdles or coronals made of pearls, gemstones, gold or silver.
Similar laws existed in England. The fact that these laws forbade
yeomen and artisans from wearing gold and silver indicates how the
status of jewellery and sumptuous dress had become widespread beyond
just the nobility."
"After 1760 the production of fake jewellery spread to London and to
Birmingham. Steel which was produced easily during the industrial
revolution was used for settings for marcasite and jasper ware cameos.
Glass and Wedgwood porcelain paste cameos were made in English
factories and were very popular too."
"In the C17th a woman always donned her earrings whether dressed or
undressed. By day fake pearl earrings and paste earrings to coordinate
with clothing were acceptable. Fine diamond jewellery was kept for
evening and embroidered stomachers which formed part of the dress
frontage, could be decorated by jewels. Suites of left and right
coordinating jewelled pieces called dress ornaments decreased in size
as they were placed down the stomacher. Sometimes the sleeves or
skirts were decorated with smaller matching brooches."
"In the 1920s Lalique designed good mass produced quality glass
jewellery. Fake, or costume jewellery was sometimes then called
cocktail jewellery. It was greatly influenced by Coco Chanel
(1883-1971) and Elsa Schiaparelli (1890-1973). They both encouraged
clients to use costume jewellery and to mix it with genuine gem pieces
they already owned. Both designers offered imagination and fun and
both often sported fabulous fakes.
"In the late 1930s Napier of the USA was at the forefront of
manufacturing fake cocktail jewels, which offered glamour and
escapism. Napier still produces excellent contemporary costume
pieces."
"The Second World War in Europe halted production of fine jewellery
when metals were rationed. New estate type, fine precious metal and
gem jewellery was simply not available. Quality costume jewellery
which was flourishing in America, became much more acceptable and was
a real alternative to fine jewellery.
"Because of technical advances in production methods, a huge range of
styles was available from America, and since it was so popular the
market became dynamic and inventive and affordable."
****
You may also like to see
http://www.carina-jewels.com/history/history.htm for a history of
costume jewellery in the United States.
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Types of Costume Jewelry
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Costume jewellery is as varied in style as the 'real thing'! Popular
pieces include replicas of moviestar gems, and brooches made from
coloured stones instead of gems. A catalog which may give you some
ideas is located at
http://www.antiquingonline.com/cgi.bin/Web_store/web_store.cgi?product=costume&cart_id=
http://dir.indiamart.com/foreignexporters/j_jewel.html is a directory
of costume jewelry providers, most of which have web sites.
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What Costume Jewelry can be made of
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From http://www.fashion-era.com/jewellery.htm
"In the 1630s large quantities of pearls were used as clothing
accessories. To be truly fashionable pearls needed to be worn in
abundance. In the C17th, Jaquin of Paris patented a method of making
fake pearls. He coated blown glass hollow balls with varnish mixed
with iridescent ground fish scales. The hollow balls were then filled
with wax to strengthen them. This method made Paris the main producer
of fake pearls for over 200 years."
"Paste is a compound of glass containing white lead oxide and potash.
Paste jewellery was usual in the 1670s and was worn at court. The best
and most long lasting paste jewellery was produced after 1734 by
Georges Strass. Most fake jewellery was Paris led. Just about any kind
of fake gem could be made, including fake opals. Many pieces of fake
jewellery have survived in their original setting, but fine estate
pieces of real gems were often broken up for resetting into more
fashionable styles of the era."
"Ornate shoe buckles of paste, steel and tin were part of fashionable
dress. A similar fad at this time were elaborate paste jewelled
buttons, fashionable in British society. As well as fake jewellery
gaining popularity, semi precious jewels such as uncut garnets became
usual as part of less formal day dress."
"Highest grade Cubic Zirconium man made imitation diamonds often set
in precious metals is of such a good standard that almost everyone can
afford to have attractive jewellery."
"The best crystals used in costume jewellery are the first grade
crystals that the top Austrian firm Swarovski can offer. Swarovski
Crystal Jewelry"
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From http://costumejewels.about.com/cs/costumejewelry/index.htm
"Bakelite was patented in 1909. In the 1920's jewelry designers
discovered that its light weight and bright colors made it a good
choice for pins, bracelets, earrings, and other jewelry. Bakelite was
used for kitchen utensils, billiard balls, and other household items.
Those pieces are often reworked and transformed into jewelry by
today's designers."
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Advantages of wearing Costume Jewelry
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-It's less expensive than fine jewellery, which allows the purchaser
to buy more pieces.
-Jewellery can be easily and relatively inexpensively reproduced if,
say, and earring is lost.
-Faux pearls are suitable for vegetarians! (This is not a common
reason to buy costume jewellery, but a pertinent one for me)
-A string of real pearls, for example, is worth several thousand
dollars and is costly to insure. Costume jewellery generally would not
be insured, unless it was a piece of 'historical significance'.
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From http://www.fashion-era.com/jewellery.htm
"Costume jewellery can enliven a fashion wardrobe and bring a dash of
panache especially for one off special occasions. Costume jewellery
can be superb. The superb is usually plated at least seven times with
18 or 22 ct gold. "
"For example Joan Rivers does a range of good costume jewellery
modelled on original fine gem pieces. One of her trademarks is to make
jewellery doubly useful and she produces sets of interchangeable
earrings, pendants and tennis bracelets. For example you might be able
to slip a range of up to 10 different coloured stones, pearls or
Swarovski crystals into an 18ct gold plated earring to vary the look.
Her jewellery is exclusive to the QVC shopping channel in the UK and
she is constantly working on new ideas such is her enthusiasm."
"Some of the costume jewellery I have come to love, comes from
companies like Ciro, Adrian Buckley, Butler and Wilson, Swarovski
Crystal Jewelry Napier, Joan Rivers, Joan Collins, Christian Dior,
California Crystal, Property of A Lady and of course Kenneth J Lane."
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Care of Costume Jewelry
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From http://www.gold.org/jewellery/goldandyou/care/index.html
"Never jumble jewels in very small containers. Remember also to keep
your genuine gold jewellery away from costume jewellery. Always keep
jewellery of different karatages separately."
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A range of jewelry care products is available from
http://www.cvjewellery.co.uk/webshop/en-gb/dept_16.html
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Some priceless advice is to be found at
http://www.zuka-art.com/customer-service.html
"Costume jewellery should be handled with specific care. When cleaning
please use a damp, soft cloth. Never dip pieces in any cleaning
solutions as this could alter the color of the stones or dissolve the
use of any epoxies used to set the stones.
Always put jewellery on after the use of hairsprays or perfumes as
they could tarnish any of the plating on the pieces."
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You can find even more advice at
http://www.claudia.co.za/jewellerycare.htm
"Avoid scratches by storing items separately preferably in the
original packaging. Avoid excessive bending or pressure when handling
of your delicate jewellery. All items strung on a wire should be
stored flat to prevent permanent bending of the wire.
Prevent contact with perfume hairspray deodorant body lotion and salt
water and other chemically treated water which can cause tarnishing
and discoloration. Never wear your jewellery in the bath in bed or
when exercising. When dressing always put your jewellery on last. Wash
gold and silver plated jewellery occasionally in warm water and dry
thoroughly with a soft cloth. Strung necklaces and bracelets should
be wiped with a soft damp cloth to maintain the lustre. "
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Search Strategy:
costume jewellery history - entered in to Google search engine
costume jewels - entered in to the about.com search box
costume jewelry - entered in to dictionary.com and m-w.com search box
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Hope that answers your question!
Happy Searching,
shananigans-ga |
