Costume jewelry

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Costume jewelry is jewelry that is made of less valuable materials, including base metals, glass, plastic, and synthetic stones, in place of more valuable materials such as precious metals and gems. These items are usually, but not always, inexpensive, and often flashy. Costume jewelry is mainly used for fashion purposes, opposed to "real" (precious) jewelery which may exist primary as collectibles, keepsakes, or investments. It can also be called “Fashion Jewelry.”

The term costume jewelry dates back to the early part of the 20th century when the word “costume” was used in reference to one's outfit. In today’s lexicon, the words “outfit” or “garment” have replaced the word “costume” in reference to the fashion mode. A common description of the fashion during this period would read, “Handsome street costume of maroon brown velvet….” Thus the jewelry worn with everyday fashion (costumes) grew to be known as “costume jewelry.”

Costume jewelry can vary from vintage rhinestone sets to the latest fashions such as hair accessories and body jewelry with imitation stones.

Coco Chanel greatly popularized the use of faux jewelry in her years as a fashion designer, bringing costume jewelry to life with gold and faux pearls.

Kenneth Jay Lane has since the 1960s been known for creating unique pieces for Jackie Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor, Diana Vreeland, and Audrey Hepburn. He is probably best-known for his three-strand faux pearl necklace worn by Barbara Bush to her husband's inaugural ball. Some say that the Duchess of Windsor is buried in Lane's jewelled belt.