Even though expensive jewelry has been around for centuries the real popularity of fashion jewelry – also known as the costume jewelry - evolved during World War I when gold, silver and other precious metals became really scarce. Many states involved in war efforts demanded virtually all metals be used for defense and higher purpose.
This led creative fashion designers to imitate genuine exquisite jewelry, but inexpensive and much more affordable fashion jewelry using simulated pearls, diamonds and a set of gem stones. So these pieces look like couture jewelry, but without the hefty price tag. Backlit plastic was used to create truly beautiful colorful cuffs and bangle bracelets and unique brooches among a lot of other things in the early part of the XX century. Rhinestones and polished simulated diamonds were produced to compensate for the lack of the real diamonds. A lot of artists designed these amazing pieces of fashion jewelry. And these masterpieces were sought after by Hollywood actors and popular singers. Soon after the general public begun wearing fashion jewelry, so that they can have that same attractive and sophisticated feeling. Best of all, it was now cheap!
Fashion jewelry became available to many. Everyone liked cheap colorful chunky plastic beads! Throughout the 1940s through the 1980s many fashion magazine covers and ads for ladies apparel, shoes and intimate care always included images of inexpensive designer jewelry.
Over the decades women began collecting fashion jewelry by their favorite price range, design, motif, theme or style. There’re virtually dozens of ways one can collect old jewelry, anything that meets your desire. That is exactly what makes jewelry collecting so much fun. There are no limitations – so erase borders and enjoy!
Jewelry by celebrated artists was usually extremely expensive. In the 1920s Coco Chanel, who already had a winning fashion career, added a jewelry collection to be accepted by ladies of virtually all social ranks. Coco was adamant about ladies expressing themselves through the design of necklaces, rings and bracelets.
Coco Chanel's archrival throughout the early time was Elsa Schiaparelli bringing playfulness and imagination to her creations. Elsa usually included her most favorite color, hot pink, into her creations.
Hattie Carnegie began designing sophisticated and glamorous pieces of jewelry in the 1920s to match her stylish clothing range.
Boucher jewelry was launched by Frenchman Marcel Boucher in the 1930s. Boucher’s stylish and brilliant fashion jewelry is often mistaken for real gold, silver and diamonds.
KJ Lane jewelry was usually colorful, unusual and sleek. Covering themes including Asian, Roman, art-deco, Greek, Egyptian, renaissance and medieval stone clarity, its flawless center and cut quality were trademarks of superiority for KL Lane fashion jewelry. Besides his own, KL Lane usually created pieces for other brand names.
Miriam Haskell jewelry was first introduced during the 1930s and was found at exclusive NYC department stores. It’s quite popular thanks to being created using only top-quality beads and stones available on the market. Haskell’s designers traveled all over the world in order to find the very best materials. A lot of Haskell’s pieces are quite complex in artisanship.
Hobe jewelry was actually a family business that first started in Paris, France back in 1887 as the hobby. They were quite famous for creating brilliant jewelry made with semiprecious stones. As the time went by the amount of precious metal and imitation gemstones rivaled the quality for which they were famous for. Their slogan was, "Jewels of legendary splendor."
Trifari started trade-marking cheap fashion jewelry back in 1920s.Their superior quality jewelry have been worn by models, superstars and wives of presidents. Molded glass, gold finish and crystal rhinestones are abundant in their brilliant jewelry.
Mazer Brothers was founded by Louis Mazer and his brother Joseph back in 1926 in NYC. They offered the public cheap and unusual pieces many of which were floral. It’s worth mentioning that the stones used in their pieces were usually made to order by Swarovski in Austria.
Vendome first appeared back in 1944 as a trademark produced by the CORO. Vendome, perhaps most famous for glittering faceted glass bead earrings and necklaces, created many other beautiful pieces including the rhinestone, cabochon and enamel pieces.
Regency is a jewelry designer and producer quite famous for their amazing butterfly and floral designs. A lot of pieces are actually cushioned brooches.
Launched back in ‘46 by Jerry Fels, Renoir of California created copper jewelry. Back in 1952 the name Matisse was added to the trademark. Geometric and abstract copper bracelets and brooches are commonly associated with this brand name.
For almost a century Eisenberg has been designing and producing finest rhinestone and crystal pieces with amazing detail and artisanship. This brand is still in business today known as Eisenberg Ice jewelry. Their bold creations continue to make ladies all over the world standout from the crowd with alluring sparkle.
Weiss jewelry was launched back in 1942. They soon became trendsetter among jewelry designers. They used brilliant Austria’s smoky grey rhinestones which brought about the black diamond craze. Their attractive pieces have been imitated through decades. The highest quality stones are evident in each and every of their creations.
There’re a lot more famous fashion jewelry creators to watch for. This is the adventure and enjoinment of jewelry collecting. However, not all jewelry is signed. But a signature isn’t that important as collecting something dear and beautiful. Many women nowadays collect jewelry because it reminds them of their childhood. Also, a lot of women decide to collect nothing except birds or star inspired jewelry. Some have a fascination for sea inspired jewelry. The choice is totally up to you!
