(4) Various Designed Costume Necklaces. 

Black seed bead necklace. Knot with knotted tassel. Bolo tie style. 

Black tube and round frosted beaded necklace. Marked Sea Lily near clasp. 

Black mesh tube and faux pearl necklace. 

Various designed beaded necklace. Carved, faceted, and graduated beads. 

Condition: Good. 

Largest: 1 1/4 x 22 1/2 in. 

#3610 . 

Costume or fashion jewelry includes a range of decorative items worn for personal adornment that are manufactured as less expensive ornamentation to complement a particular fashionable outfit or garment as opposed to “real” (fine) jewelry, which is more costly and which may be regarded primarily as collectibles, keepsakes, or even investments. 18th Century jewelers were the first to make inexpensive pieces from glass, capitalizing on the growing wealthy merchant and middle class who wished to emulate the style and opulence of royalty. The term itself dates back to the early 20th Century, and reflects the use of the word “costume” to refer to what is now called an “outfit.” Originally costume jewelry was made of inexpensive simulated gemstones, such as rhinestones or lucite, set in pewter, silver, nickel, or brass. The Art Deco movement was an attempt to combine the harshness of mass production with the sensitivity of art and design, but died out with the onset of the Great Depression. During World War II sterling silver made to look like platinum was regularly incorporated into costume jewelry designs, primarily because the components used for base metal were needed for wartime production. These pieces are often highly sought after in the vintage jewelry market for this specific reason. The Retro period, defined as 1935 to 1950, encompasses these works, as well as a distinctly American look, due to most European firms being shut down or heavily impacted by the War and many jewelers emigrating to the United States to escape the chaos. The Art Modern period (1945 to 1960) reflects the shift of costume jewelry to more traditional and understated patterns, forgoing the elaborate, floral, and swirling qualities of the prior styles. Bold, lavish jewelry, often in chunky bracelets and pins, were the rage until the Mod period (1960-1980) introduced “Body Jewelry,” which is still widely sought after today. Costume jewelry reached its zenith in the late 20th Century when various designers became closely associated with it through both high and low priced brands: Crown Trifari, Dior, Chanel, Miriam Haskell, Sherman, Monet, Napier, Corocraft, Coventry, and Kim Craftsmen, to name just a few. A significant factor in the popularization of costume jewelry was Hollywood movies, as the leading female stars of the 1940s, 50s, and 60s often wore and then endorsed the pieces produced by a range of designers. Coco Chanel greatly popularized the use of faux gold and pearls in her fashion designs, and since the 1960s Kenneth Jay Lane has been at the forefront of production, known for creating unique pieces for Jackie Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor, Diana Vreeland, Audrey Hepburn, and Barbara Bush. In many instances, high-end costume jewelry has achieved a “collectible” status and increased value over time, with the main collecting market seeking “signed pieces” that carry a maker’s mark stamped on the reverse. However, there is also demand for good quality “unsigned” pieces, especially if they are of an unusual design.

Good.