Want to stand out in a world of contemporary design, why not do so in a manner that is unique. Adorn your hands, ears and neck with custom and unique handcrafted jewelry.

Each and every one of us wants to be different, wants to stand out in a crowd and wants to be unique. What is this obsession with being different and unique I often wonder? Is it about the attention or is it about something else? Is it a desire deep down within us or is it our need for fifteen minutes of fame?

Whatever the answer may be, the need to be unique is there in all of us. This obsession carries in to what we wear as well, from different clothes to unique jewelry. Jewelry has always been the highlight of any outfit. But who wants the same tennis bracelet, pearl necklace or solitaire earrings? There is nothing unique about them is there? So what about costume jewelry, that’s unique isn’t it? Think again, everyone is turning to costume and fashion jewelry these days because of its innovative look and affordable price. But costume and fashion jewelry is not unique either. In fact many malls these days are retailing mass produced costume jewelry.

The best places to look for custom and unique handcrafted jewelry are antique stores or your grandmother’s cupboard. Surprised? But why? Antique jewelry is unique jewelry isn’t it? It may not be one of a kind but it sure is different. You could also try going to a second hand store for some unique jewelry but be careful of quality and authenticity. Another option is checking out garage sales, you can find some true gems there (I do not mean gemstones). But you may find some outstanding pieces at great prices. And what about the ever-ready Internet? You can find lots of unique jewelry on the Internet, all you have to do is search carefully at an auction site or jewelry site and you are ready to go.

What is catching most people’s attention these days is Handcrafted bohemian style jewelry. What makes handcrafted bohemian jewelry is the fact that it uses simple material and combines it with bold designs. Bohemian jewelry is associated with gypsies and nomadic tribes, so imagine chunky styles in earrings, bangles and even pendants and rings. Think hippie, think free-spirited and think metal handcrafted jewelry, and what you get is true boho style. The rule with bohemian handcrafted jewelry is that there is no rule. You can combine different colors, shapes and styles, and what you will get is custom handcrafted jewelry. The most popular styles are long necklaces, long dangling earrings, chunky and thick bangles and large jewel encrusted rings.

The reason why most custom and unique jewelry are handcrafted is because this is what gives it that special ‘touch’. The jewelry designer goes with the flow, mixing different style, textures and hues to create a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry. Bohemian jewelry is the epitome of uniqueness and custom handcrafted jewelry, as this kind of jewelry is all about being expressive and creative. Most common materials used in this kind of jewelry are:

• Coral and shells, especially those with different and distinct patterns and colors.
• Turquoise, lapis lazuli, opal and mother of pearl.
• Pawa shell is popular because of its unique color.
• Amber, resin or other fossil like fragments.
• Wood.
• Colored pearls.
• Leather thongs.
• Wires like copper and silver to make different patterns and links.

So while the material used in custom and unique handcrafted jewelry is different, what matters is the design and vision of the designer. the creativity involved makes all the difference, otherwise what is the difference between the jewelry you and I can string together and the jewelry made by a custom designer. you are paying big bucks for the creativity and uniqueness, so make sure that the jewelry is truly one of a kind.

By Khushnuma Irani Published: 12/21/2007

Handcrafted Jewelry Unique Handmade Jewelry Handmade Earrings Unique Bracelets Handcrafted Necklaces Pins Brooches. Handcrafted jewelry, unique copper jewelry silver plated and diamond cut to add that special sparkle to any handmade jewelry collection. Handcrafted Jewelry USA Just for a bit of fun and flare Sepi ordered up some findings to get me going on a trendy style of jewelry called Steampunk. I like the mixed media in all art forms so it seemed to be something I might get a rush out of trying. Attractive Jewelry However, today’s extenders are perfect for fancy pieces of jewelry of all kinds. The clasp style of these extenders varies greatly so that it will match any handcrafted jewelry you might own that is just not quite long enough to sit.

Technorati Tags: custom jewelry design, custom jewelry stores in nyc

In the last few years, more and more jewelry designers started to inspire their creations for the golden times of costume jewelry, meaning 1930-1940s. Throughout this whole time, a timeless creator held its place among the most recognized and esteemed costume jewelry designers, him being no other than Kenneth Jay Lane.

Born in 1930, Kenneth Jay Lane stands along other famous designers such as Coco Channel for being one of the most impressive and talented people in the industry. When it comes to fashionable costume jewelry, it is impossible not to think of this name and his many wonderful collections.

Kenneth Jay Lane jewelry lines can be found today present on the Internet. Once worn by the most celebrated stars of the moment, his unique designs are just as popular today among celebrities. Still, you do not have to be a star to shine and the creations of Kenneth Jay Lane are available with the help of online virtual stores.

If you just sit a moment and think about how Jackie Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn have worn his creations, you are practically amazed at how this man has managed to remain as timeless as his creations. Apart from the many pieces of Kenneth Jay Lane jewelry that can be found online, he has entire collections on display at various museums and even at the Presidential Library. In fact, he is also widely known to be the jewelry designer who created a very special piece for Barbara Bush.

Costume jewelry has always been a class apart from other types of jewelry. Though it was originally created as low-cost jewelry, in time it became much more than that. Nowadays, celebrities and not only have reintroduced the trend of fashion jewelry, transforming it into a true industry, that of vintage collectible items. With Kenneth Jay Lane jewelry collections that are presented on the Internet, you too can look sparkly and beautiful.

When you wear one of the pieces of Kenneth Jay Lane jewelry collections, you not only feel elegant but daring. His style is more than unique, having used all kinds of materials from Austrian crystal, faux pearls and beads. No matter the materials used, his creations are famous worldwide and will probably remain so in the future. Kenneth Jay Lane is indeed a fashion icon when it comes to costume jewelry.

Jewelry and fashion jewelry are important parts of various cultures. Women enjoy the creations of famous designers, such as Kenneth Jay Lane, considering them stylish and a must for diverse outfits. Everyone knows that using the proper accessories can help you make a true fashion statement and attract every possible look. With the awesome creations of this classic jewelry architect, it is guaranteed you will look and feel unique.

The fine details of his creations and the wonderful blend between materials have made Kenneth Jay Lane to be extremely popular, especially among famous people. Attracted by the dashing designs, unique style and superb skills, people found on the Internet the work of a genuine artist, unaltered by time. He reinvented the concept of costume jewelry, demolished the idea of being low-cost and inspired a lot of fashion tendencies. His jewelry reflects true style and personal taste, being more than exquisite.

By: Ckint Jhonson

Oscar Awards Jewelries Jewelry trends usually alter on the red carpet from classic white diamonds, to colorful gemstones or assorted kinds of plush costume jewelry. "I think this year at the Academy Awards, as we typically see, it should be plenty of classic. Costume Jewelry Earrings Additionally, you’ll be acquiring authentic classic jewelry, however you will still be capable to keep within your funds. Enjoy it. The advantage to costume jewelry earrings is that they don’t need to last forever. A Costume Jewelry real thing or a costume jewelry pearl necklace, you can never go wrong by purchasing pearls. They bring beauty, elegance and class to any woman that wears them. They will never go out of style, which makes pearls a forever classic.

Technorati Tags: mccandless custom jewelry, wholesale custom jewelry

Jewelry is among the soundest ways of life to express yourself. And graceful beaded jewellery is just as unique as you are. Body jewelry is jewelry that is not only worn on the earlobes or slung around the neck like a necklace, but it is also to be worn on the nose, eyebrows, tongue, elbows well, anywhere you can find a spot that suits you! Glass beads occupy the biggest bead marketplace in Republic of India and are available in variety of colors, designs and shapes. Indian glass beads are exported in all countries as they are cheaper and have great finish.

India produces variety of beads such as glass beads, wood beads, clay beads, horn beads, metal beads, ceramic beads, lac beads and many more. Body jewelry is inexpensive, beautiful, and astonishingly will last a long time for the little amount of money that it cost. Beaded Body jewelry is jewellery made using inexpensive materials. There are beaded necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, and even belly button rings. Some style jewelry cost as little as $.99 or less and is therefore low-cost to anyone on any budget. By using these nickel-and-dime materials to make body jewelry the cost for the customers is extremely low.

Nowadays costume jewelry is often sensed as what one wears when one can’t afford the real thing. What’s extraordinary with dress up jewelry is you can use it, get tired of it, put it away or give it away and have still gotten good value for your money. Costume jewelry is counted a fashion accessory and is directly affected by the change in fashion. Now inexpensive and costume jewellery is also considered as fine jewelry which are available in bargain price too.

Fashion jewellery is the term given to a distinct kind of jewelry that is similar to the original jewelry in respect of look and style but low on quality and lasting. Fashion jewelry is also known as costume jewelry, fake jewelry and junk jewelry etc. This jewelry fulfills the yearning for wearing trendy and stylish stuff edging past the unimaginative style. The most fascinating fact about Costume jewelry is that it always keeps changing. Costume jewelry is defined as jewelry that is made from non-precious materials such as cut glass.

Costume jewelry is primarily used for fashion purposes, opposed to "real" (precious) jewellery which may contain primary as collectables, relics, or investments. Handcrafted jewelry is usually made of inexpensive materials, including base metals, glass, bone, Agate stone, cowries and hemp in place of more expensive materials such as precious metals and gems. This jewelry has one more quality that it is really very easy to handle. These are inexpensive and are hand-crafted so there is natural beauty to it.

By: Jewelry Wholesaler

Jewelry Pink Beautiful Murano Style Glass Real Lampwork Bead, Lilac Pink With Thin Purple Stripes Fits Pandora, Biagi, Chamilia, Troll ChainH fef and blown Murano Style glass beads will fit right in with your Pandora charms. Wholesale Jewelry Raises Wholesale jewelry is undergoing a wonderful transformation in recent times. Remember when costume jewelry was plastic, semi precious jewelry was for lapidary, Murano glass was for art galleries, and shell jewelry was for beach resorts? … Talented glass art opens a new array of color and gorgeous design with the skill of Murano craftsman making the biggest impact. Every design is a new shock of beauty with unique beads using swirls of color, suspended gold or silver. Today’s Fashion From bracelets to chokers to necklaces, arm bands, anklets, rings, there are different jewelries made of end number of materials like bone, horn, shell, wood, plastic, resin, beads, metals, stones and glasses. … To match every taste, a wide range of jewelry designs are available at affordable prices. When these jeweleries be it beaded earrings or glass arm lets or dangles are worn by fashion-minded people it displays a real sense of fashion. 

Technorati Tags: custom jewelry supplies, unique custom jewelry

They say diamonds are everlasting, and so are gold, silver and other gemstones. Any jewelry piece is perceived to be valuable. But how do you know the costume jewelry values when they are too flashy sometimes? Are they as worthy as your 500-dollar dress or expensive as you expect them to be?

Costume jewelry is believed to be a vague collection in jewelry business. Determining costume jewelry values can be slightly cunning by just merely looking at how it looks. For jewelers, it may be a simpler to decipher how carat gold jewelry differs in value compared to a diamond-embedded piece. To big spenders of jewelry pieces, it’s also less confusing to pick which ones are worth their money because they are well-versed in shopping the best deals in town.

Like any collectible or vintage item, costume jewelry values are identified based on numerous factors such as present trends, geographic area, selling avenue, artistic credit, condition. They inherit values that are attributed by materials that are not typically precious metals. Because costume jewelry pieces are not valued based on karats and size, their values are hard to fathom at times.

Top-grade quality pieces are sometimes higher in costume jewelry values than a few expensive pieces. Famous makers of costume jewelry pieces are Marcel Boucher, Eisenberg, Kenneth Lane, Weiss, Vogue, Coro, Vendome, Napier, Regency, Hobe, Hattie Carnegie, Monet and Miriam Haskell. They make pieces made of old beads, rhinestones, and Bakelite.

Vintage pieces can be either higher or lower in costume jewelry values depending on their condition. If apparently there are missing stones and worn out parts of a vintage piece, then it is not as worth as it should be. Make sure you are not buying a piece that has poor condition as they are of lower value than something that is not restored.

Seeking for the best in quality will give you justice and value for your money. Costume jewelry values are also determined by their overall craftsmanship and durability. They last longer than usual, and longevity means top quality. Check thing like weight, smoothness of plating, sparkling aspect of stones and divided settings. Signature and high-ends are always guaranteed to be the best quality. However, there are still a bunch of unsigned items that are offered in the market which are also proven to have fine class.

Other areas to check on for determining costume jewelry values are personality and background of every piece. Take a look at its color, general style, toughness and form. Consider what stones they’re made of and who is manufacturing them. Value depends largely on the totality of the costume jewelry. Tidbits of vintage collections are usually priceless and worth-keeping. Contemporary ones made by reputable manufacturers are also typically valuable especially when it’s being well-followed by high-end customers.

By: Ian Pennington

Discover Bridal Jewellery UK Discounts At Jewelry & Accessories we offer suggestions on where to buy genuine gemstone and precious metal designs as well how to save money buying cheap bridal costume jewelry online. Related posts: Discover Designer Silver Jewellery Uk. Anna Bellagio Bridal Jewelry Sets Shop Anna Bellagio and save on the best quality bridal costume jewelry available online! Related posts: Bridesmaid Jewelry & Bridal Accessories; Cheap Wedding Jewelry Buyers Guide; Cheap Jewelry Rings & Matching Sets. Why bridal costume jewelry   Here are some reasons why bridal costume jewelry scores notches over the traditional jewelry: 1 Economy: While costume jewelry for the bride May look expensive, it is very affordable. 

Technorati Tags: bridal costume jewelry, Costume Jewelry, costume jewelry wholesale

It is important to understand that not all costume jewelry is the cheap, worthless stuff that can be discarded after wearing a few times without much regret. Costume jewelry got its start in the dazzling theatres of Europe in the early 1900’s, giving it the lasting name of "costume", but popularity really took off when Americans fell in love with it after the end of the First World War. Soon after, U.S. companies began dominating costume jewelry design and manufacturing from the late 1920’s onward.

Even when talking about the collectible costume pieces, all of the jewelry is mass-produced using gemstones and gold or silver plating, rather than more expensive diamonds and solid metals. Yet, in spite of their humble origins, the vintage pieces produced in factories using semi-precious materials are now considered collectibles worth well beyond their original price. Some popular American manufacturers include:

• Coro
• Eisenberg
• Weiss
• Trifari
• Barclay

As with any vintage or antique item, the rarity of a certain costume design will greatly determine value. Vintage jewelry was produced by large, medium and small companies, creating both a lot of diversity, but also leading to dramatic differences in supply levels. Profits tend to be lower when talking about pieces made by the larger players like Coro and Accessocraft who produced jewelry in large batches. But this does not mean that ever piece of jewelry from large manufacturers is worth relatively the same amount of money. In fact, special editions or limited batch productions exist from almost every design company.

On the other hand, a piece of jewelry can be rare, but command little demand for some reason or another, greatly affecting value. Big collectibles right now with strong prices are signed vintage necklaces, earrings, and bracelets from Miriam Haskell. Potential investors only need to do a little homework on the Internet to find which designs are hot and thus drawing larger asking prices. Remember, the most popular designs are not necessarily the prettiest or most unique, but they will tend to be more profitable to collect.

Many vintage costume jewelry makers are notorious for producing collections that do not bear a jeweler’s mark. Ultimately, these unsigned pieces often prove more profitable, because they are less recognized by sellers. A large portion of the entire vintage jewelry market is filled with unsigned pieces, making it imperative to recognize well-designed and valuable pieces. In most instances, simply being able to identify a quality design will help you expand on your valuable collection.

Craftsmanship and stone quality have also directly influenced the overall success or failure of any design. Gemstone quality, in particular, plays a key role in determining the value of a particular piece of costume jewelry. Some companies have become famous for using gemstones of exceptional quality, although none of them would be considered precious gems. Some of the best manufacturers to seek out if you are looking for superior quality are:

• Hollycraft
• Weiss
• Bogoff
• Bergere
• Boucher

With some treasured pieces of vintage costume jewelry nearing 100 years old, it is quite common to find many items showing significant signs of wear. Still, even vintage necklaces, bracelets, and other pieces are coveted by investors and collectors as they are worth big money even in less than perfect condition. By knowing what to look for, seasoned vintage costume or fashion jewelry collectors can still make great profits even off of jewelry with discoloration, rust or even missing stones.

By: Jon Kreps

Wholesale China Jewelry  Wholesale costume jewelry china market became highly accepted in the late thirties with most fashionable young crowds and was acknowledged as virtually expensive fashion which could be teamed as perfect blend with specific garments. Wholesale Cheap Jewelry Online Costume Jewelry transforms plain looking women in to glamour dolls. Nowadays both unsigned and signed costumes jewelry are affordable and completes any attire. If you wish to wholesaleHow To Enjoy The Beauty Of Jewelry  The old kind of jewelry would change colors, as jewelry got older, often times leaving colored marks on your skin unless it was real. Most people are happy that the jewelry then you need to spend some time. costume jewelry doesn’t have to cost a lot to be beautiful.

Technorati Tags: bridal costume jewelry, Costume Jewelry, wholesale costume jewelry

When I consider a question, the answer is straight up and honest based on information from the question. This one presents a dilemma of sorts! The markings are what should be there for 18k gold. The only thing suspect there is the double marks, including both 18k and 750. This is not a critical point but most Italian jewelry is only marked with one or the other mark.

Sure, some exceptions occur and when the bracelet was made "might" be a reason for both marks. European jewelry was marked with numerical stamps (i.e. 750) before those marks became accepted standards with consumers in the USA. Who knows the reason for both marks? Generally, the maker’s mark is (by law) next to the quality mark. Is there a maker’s mark or some indication besides "Italy" for a manufacturer? If not, then the bracelet is truly suspect.

The marks are right but the acid test showed green, the typical result of a gold-filled or plated article with a base metal like brass underneath. The green comes from reaction with acid and the copper element in the underlying metals. Gold items of 10k to 18k and higher simply do not show green. This is part of the dilemma. The double safeties also are a small problem, since costume jewelry generally does not have good quality clasps or double safeties.

Now, we have to question if the acid test was done correctly and on what part of the bracelet. It is possible that the bracelet is not gold and does have gold clasp parts, if attached with loops (jump rings) and not connected by soldering directly to the bracelet.

Where is the quality stamps located? Are the markings on the back only on the clasps parts or located somewhere else? An acid test done correctly will involve not only the clasp parts but some other area of the jewelry item. The item is rubbed on a slate stone hard enough to dig slightly into the jewelry and place both surface gold and deeper metal on the stone. Or, the acid is applied directly to the piece. Either way, the result will not be green for gold items.

Without the bracelet in hand, I simply cannot tell if it is really 18k gold. If not, then apparently enough trouble was taken by the manufacturer to make it look authentic and be sold falsely as 18k when it is not.

I suggest you have the bracelet checked at different jewelers. If the results are the same, then we must conclude the fine lady who owned the bracelet was perhaps duped or might have received it as a gift from someone who did not know. I wish I could give you a more joyous answer but another test is really needed to find out for certain. Please use a business with no interest in purchasing the bracelet to avoid possible deception. The bracelet should be tested in more than one location on the bracelet.

Sorry for news that is a bit to the unwanted side. Please have the second test done and that should conclude it. Even if it’s not 18k, consider the gift given as what it "might" have been and wear it with that in mind, costume or not.

By: Victor Epand

Costume Jewelry Necklaces Antique Necklaces. The Costume Jewelry Necklaces.com site reviews and provides great information to help you find the best in Costume Jewelry Offers and Deals. Necklaces go a long way back in history. The Importance of Antique Insurance One or two pieces of antique furniture will make little difference to a homeowner’s insurance policy, but a large collection of antique art, antique furniture, and heirloom and estate jewelry will need to be noted with special insurance. Collecting Vintage Jewelry Antique and Modern Jewelry  Fellows is a well known UK auction house that specializes in many types of auctions including Antique & Modern Jewelry. Costume Jewelry, Second Hand Jewelry & Watches, as well as general auctions for Silver, Furniture and toys and dolls.

Technorati Tags: antique costume jewelry, Costume Jewelry, wholesale costume jewelry

In spite of their humble origins, the vintage pieces produced in factories using semi-precious materials are now considered collectibles worth well beyond their original price. If you know what you are looking for and can distinguish the worthless knock-offs from the genuine Eisenberg necklaces and other top pieces, then you can literally make a great living simply by collecting.

To determine the value of any vintage piece, there are five things you need to look at:

Supply of Design in Market

Demand for the Particular Design

Originality of Design

Materials and Quality of Construction

Final Condition

The vintage jewelry was produced by dozens of manufacturers who all produced batches of varying size. Production runs tended to be relatively large for big companies like Coro and Brooks. Smaller production batches, sometimes numbering in the hundreds, were more common to see from companies like Barclays and McClelland.

Signed and many unsigned pieces by small companies like Barclays will tend to command greater value on the market for no other reason then their relative rarity. Still, careful research is required because even larger manufacturers sometimes produced specialty batches. These were smaller batches making the pieces more valuable than others produced by the same company.

In addition to supply considerations, the overall demand for the pieces also plays a critical role in price determination. Signed vintage necklaces, brooches, and even earrings by Miriam Haskell are currently the hot items in the market. If you want to collect vintage jewelry and make money, then you need to do a little homework and find out which pieces are in demand and which are not. Popular designs are not always liked by investors but they tend to be the ones they collect because they are ultimately more profitable.

So aside from economic considerations like supply and demand, what actually affects value determination? If all other variables are held constant, the originality of the design itself will ultimately determine its value and be the primary source of demand. In fact, more advanced collectors often select unsigned pieces for their collection because unique, well-designed pieces are always in demand.

A large portion of the entire vintage costume stock is unsigned despite having been made by some of the most respected companies in the industry. The unsigned pieces tend to be undervalued and the most profitable to collect and one sure way to identify a particular manufacturer is by design. Some manufacturers consistently produced pieces of exceptional design and are highly coveted by collectors like those made by Bogoff and Hollycraft.

Craftsmanship and stone quality will directly determine the overall success or failure of any design. On vintage jewelry, the type and quality of the gemstones is of particular importance to final price determination. Gemstones of exceptional quality were consistently used by a few of the major manufacturers. Some of the best manufacturers to seek out when collecting vintage costume pieces for profit include:

Hollycraft

Weiss

Bogoff

Bergere

Boucher

Lastly, the final condition of the piece will play a key role in value but not always the greatest. Oftentimes, demand and supply play the largest forces in the pricing of vintage costume jewelry.

Author: Jon Kreps

Costume Jewelry They Look So Good On You
Costume jewelry is considered a fashion accessory and is directly affected by the change in fashion. Now inexpensive and costume jewelry is also considered as fine jewelry which a…  

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Technorati Tags: antique costume jewelry, rhinestone costume jewelry, vintage christmas jewelry, vintage costume jewellery

The very first true costume jewelry appeared on theatres throughout Europe before being brought back to the States by American G.I.’s returning home from World War I. As popularity increased in the United States, more and more American companies began to design and produce the inexpensive jewelry. Many American companies like Coro and Eisenberg produced some of the most coveted collectibles on the vintage jewelry market today so keep an eye out for signed pieces as the flea markets.

But how does one actually classify or identify costume jewelry and what makes some pieces valuable? Vintage costume necklaces, bracelets, and other pieces were purchased by American soldiers in French boutiques and brought home after the first world war. U.S. companies began dominating costume jewelry design and manufacturing from the late 1920’s onward. These same companies produced some of the most coveted collectible vintage costume necklaces, bracelets, rings, and other jewelry. Some popular American manufacturers to keep an eye out for at the flea markets include:

Coro

Eisenberg

Weiss

Trifari

Barclay Collecting vintage fashion jewelry for profit all boils down to distinguishing the valuable pieces from those great-looking but worthless pieces. One needs to look at five different components to determine value:

Rarity

Market Demand

Originality of Design

Craftsmanship and Materials

Condition

Pricing is directly influenced by the supply and it varies greatly between designs. The jewelry itself was supplied by dozens of manufacturers. Batch sizes could vary dramatically from one company to the next. Most of the larger companies like Coro and Coventry would have large batch sizes numbering in the tens of thousands in some cases. Smaller production batches, sometimes numbering in the hundreds, were more common to see from companies like Barclays and McClelland. Signed pieces from the smaller companies tend to be rarer and thus more valuable than those made from the larger companies. Still, careful research is required because even larger manufacturers sometimes produced specialty batches. These were smaller batches making the pieces more valuable than others produced by the same company.

Rarity is important in determining value but the overall demand for the jewelry will play the greatest single role in determining price. Simple economics dictates that higher demand will command a higher price. For anyone looking for the hot items right now, signed Miriam Haskell vintage jewelry is the best bet despite being a bit eccentric in design. Some designs are collectible while others are not. Learning to tell the difference between the two will ultimately determine whether collecting is profitable or just a hobby. Avid collectors tend to include popular pieces in their collections because they are more profitable. In many cases, the collector doesn’t even like the particular piece!

But what actually affects market demand? If all other variables are held constant, the originality of the design itself will ultimately determine its value and be the primary source of demand. Novice collectors tend to focus exclusively on signed pieces but it is often the case the unsigned, well-designed pieces prove to be the most profitable to collect. Collecting vintage costume jewelry for profit is complicated by the fact that most of the pieces are actually unsigned. Identifying great designs is one of the surest ways to identify unsigned pieces and make vintage jewelry collecting profitable. Unsigned pieces by Hollycraft and Miriam Haskell tend to command top dollar because of their exceptional design quality.

The overall design is accentuated by the quality of craftsmanship and materials used to produce each piece. The construction quality is important but the gemstones play a larger role in determining value. There were some companies that were famous for using gemstones of exceptional quality though none of them would be considered precious. Jewelry designs by Bogoff, Weiss, and Eisenberg tend to be high value collectibles primarily because of their exceptionally high quality.

Eisenberg costume necklaces, earrings, and other pieces tend to be hard to find at the flea markets or via online auction. For those looking to find pieces they can still buy at reasonable prices but turn around and sell for maximum profit, try searching for pieces by:

Hollycraft

Danecraft

Monet

Trifari

As is the case when dealing with any type of antique, the final condition of the jewelry is very important to its value. Like any jewelry, value will be lowered for excessive scratching or peeling, lost stones, or discoloration. While some degree of wear is inevitable, the quality of design, materials, cr 1ff8 aftsmanship, and overall demand still make most vintage jewelry pieces prized collectibles worth serious money. But if you know how to locate the unsigned gems hiding in flea markets and online auctions every day, then you can really make a bundle collecting vintage costume pieces–even those with excessive signs of wear!

Author: Jon Kreps

Collecting Vintage Weiss Jewelry
Before closing their doors in 1971, the Weiss company created some of the most beautiful and lasting pieces of costume jewelry on the market. … Weiss manufactured jewelry for wholesale to several large department stores that were unsigned . There is quite a bit of unsigned Weiss on the market, so try to deal only with reputable sellers who will be able to tell the difference between unsigned Weiss and fakes. There were a few different signatures used over the years.

Wholesale Jewelry Directory - Costume Jewelry
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Jewelry - Wholesale, Costume, Supplies, And More! Costume jewelry, beaded jewelry, wholesale and discount. jewelry - Lia Sophia Jewelry.

Technorati Tags: Vintage Costume Jewelry

Identifying the valuable vintage costume necklaces, rings, and other pieces to collect boils down to knowing what actually determines value on the market. No precious metals or gemstones are used to make costume pieces but some jewelry is plated with precious metals like gold or silver. In addition, vintage costume jewelry pieces were produced en masse at factories unlike fine jewelry.

Some costume designs have become so popular that they now are worth many times their original sale price. Making big money is possible when collecting but you need to understand what determines value so you can purchase the most profitable pieces to resale. Pricing for vintage pieces can be broken down into five main components:

Rarity

Originality of Design

Demand

Quality of Materials and Craftsmanship

Final Condition

The supply of vintage jewelry varies greatly and this affects pricing in a big way. The great diversity of manufacturers also created vast differences in batch sizes. Profits tend to be lower when talking about pieces made by the larger players like Coro and Accessocraft who produced jewelry in large batches. DeMario, McClelland, and other small companies might only have batch sizes numbering in the hundreds.

Because they are so much rarer, those pieces from the smaller companies will almost always sell for more than something from one larger manufacturers-but this is only a guide and not a steadfast rule. But beware, even the major costume jewelry manufacturers like Trifari and Coro would have limited runs of specialty pieces that are now considered quite valuable due to their rarity-just as is the case with the smaller companies.

The demand varies greatly among costume jewelry pieces and can play a larger role than any other variable when it comes to final price determination. What ultimately determines demand is difficult to isolate but its affect upon pricing is definite: greater demand means higher prices.

The big collectibles right now commanding top dollar are signed vintage necklaces, earrings, and bracelets from Miriam Haskell. Learning which pieces are collectible and which are just pretty is the most critical step towards collecting for a profit. Profits tend to be highest for investors when they do their homework and avoid purchasing pieces they like as opposed to the ones they know to be profitable.

Demand is probably affected by the originality of the design more than anything else. It is not uncommon for experienced investors to avoid the signed vintage jewelry pieces because their demand can make collecting them less profitable than the unsigned pieces.

Besides, the fact remains that a rather significant portion of the entire vintage costume stock is unsigned because many companies did not begin signing pieces until the 1940’s and beyond. Collectors can optimize profits by locating the unsigned pieces by the top manufacturers and this is made possible by knowing the design traits of each of the major manufacturers. To learn more about the particular design tendencies of the vintage costume jewelry manufacturers, a great resource is: "Costume Jewelry: A Practical Handbook and Value Guide" by Fred Rezazedeh.

Author: Jon Kreps

Affordable Designer Costume Jewelry
My mother-in-law loves designer costume jewelry. In fact, she just got a new earrings few weeks ago. Speaking of jewelry, Holsted Jewelers offers thousands of beautiful, affordable jewelry designs from classic to contemporary styles.

Fashion Trimming Showcases
Fashion Trimming, the leading manufacturer and supplier of wholesale jewelry from China, showcases its latest range of stylish costume jewelry this season. The company is known for providing quality fashion jewelry and fashion.

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Technorati Tags: costumed fashion jewelry, Vintage Costume Jewelry

Coro

Eisenberg

Weiss

Trifari

Barclay

But what truly makes costume jewelry unique and potentially valuable? Costume jewelry actually originated on the stages and theatres in Europe before becoming popular in the U.S. American manufacturers began dominating the industry from the 1920’s onward. Many American companies like Coro and Eisenberg produced some of the most coveted collectibles on the vintage jewelry market today so keep an eye out for signed pieces as the flea markets. Collecting vintage fashion jewelry for profit all boils down to distinguishing the valuable pieces from those great-looking but worthless pieces. To determine the value of any vintage piece, there are five things you need to look at:

Supply of Design in Market

Demand for the Particular Design

Originality of Design

Materials and Quality of Construction

Final Condition

Vintage jewelry prices vary greatly and one of the big reasons is because the supply is so varied. The jewelry itself was supplied by dozens of manufacturers. Batch sizes could vary dramatically from one company to the next. Trifari, Coventry, and other larger players would have batch sizes numbering in the thousands for any given design. Barclays, DeMario, and many of the smaller companies had limited facilities and thus tended to have far smaller batches. Therefore, if all other factors remain the same, a signed piece from a company like DeMario would typically sell more than a similar piece from Trifari. But be careful, some of the larger companies produced special batches in limited quantities making them more valuable than typical pieces from the same company.

But rarity alone does not determine value and demand is always the largest factor affecting price. Higher demand translates into higher price. The big collectibles right now commanding top dollar are signed vintage necklaces, earrings, and bracelets from Miriam Haskell. Some designs are collectible while others are not. Learning to tell the difference between the two will ultimately determine whether collecting is profitable or just a hobby. Popular designs are not always liked by investors but they tend to be the ones they collect because they are ultimately more profitable.

When looking at the jewelry itself, what actually stimulates demand? The originality of the design ultimately affects demand more than any other variable and plays a large role in determining value. Seasoned investors sometimes avoid collecting the signed vintage pieces because everyone is already looking for them. Instead, they will focus on unsigned but well-designed pieces because they tend to be more profitable than many of the signed necklaces, brooches, etc. Plus, a large portion of the entire vintage costume market is filled with unsigned pieces making it imperative to recognize well-designed and valuable pieces. You can identify the unsigned pieces and usually snap them up for little money by simply being able to spot great designs. Pieces of exceptional design quality, like those made by companies like Boucher and B. David, tend to be both unsigned and more valuable than many of the signed pieces on the market.

The quality of fabrication and materials used to make a piece of jewelry ultimately vindicate or condemn any design. In particular, the gemstone quality is of particular relevance to the value of any vintage piece of jewelry. A handful of vintage jewelry manufacturers were famous for using gemstones of exceptionally high quality. When talking about gemstone quality, the best companies to look for are:

Bogoff

Bergere

Weiss

Eisenberg

Eisenberg costume necklaces, earrings, and other pieces tend to be hard to find at the flea markets or via online auction. If you are trying to find some profitable pieces to purchase at cheap prices but still command a lot with serious investors, look for jewelry made by these companies:

Danecraft

Kramer

Bogoff

Weiss

Monet

As is the case when dealing with any type of antique, the final condition of the jewelry is very important to its value. It is quite common to find excess scratches, lost stones, rust, and other forms of discoloration on vintage costume jewelry pieces. Eve 1ff8 n with considerable signs of wear or damage, vintage pieces still have considerable value because of their design, materials, supply, and overall demand in the market. As all vintage costume jewelry has some degree of wear given its age, collectors still make handsome profits by collecting and selling even the "ugly pieces".

Author: Jon Kreps

Excellent Vintage Costume Jewelry
Let’s say you have a piece of vintage costume jewelry with a patent pending stamp or a patent # on the back. There are excellent web sites that are dedicated to identifying costume jewelry which was produced when jewelry designs.

Vintage Rhinestone Costume jewelry
In the field of antiques and collectibles, vintage costume jewelry is a huge category. One of the best designers of the mid-20th Century was Gustave Sherman. 

Collecting Vintage Chanel Costume Jewelry
The Chanel name is synonymous with glamour and her influence in the field of costume jewelry, beyond just ropes of pearls, cannot be denied. 

Technorati Tags: Vintage Costume Jewelry, wholesale costume jewelry