How Do I Know If My Costume Jewelry Is Valuable? The Ultimate Guide To Uncovering Your Jewelry’s Worth 

Does your jewelry box contain some mystery pieces that you think might hold value?

Maybe you scored big at a vintage market or estate sale, or you inherited a promising collection from a relative. It can be hard to tell if a piece is worth anything at first glance, but it’s best to hold onto anything you’re unsure about – you just might have struck gold! 

We know that the world of vintage costume jewelry can be tricky to navigate. Not every piece is made equal, which is why we’ve compiled this guide to help you determine if your costume jewelry is actually valuable. Read on to learn our expert tips! 

What Is Costume Jewelry?

Let’s start with the basics – what exactly is costume jewelry?

Learning about its definition and significance will help you understand why vintage pieces can hold a lot of value. We’ve been introduced to new jewelry categories in recent decades, so the definition of costume jewelry is more blurred than ever.

The key differences between jewelry categories boil down to materials. Here are the defining features of the main jewelry varieties you can find on the market today:

• Fine. This type of jewelry is exclusively crafted with precious metals and gemstones. Pieces are made with solid gold or platinum, and are adorned with diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, rubies, pearls, and other rare stones. Fine jewelry has the highest price point; pieces typically cost thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. These earrings are London blue topaz gemstones and set in 14k Gold. This is an example of fine jewelry. London Blue Earrings 14k Gold at Grandmas Jewelry

• 14K gold blue Hawkeye gemstone pendant
  Blue Hawkeye Gemstone is very rare. It has an interesting back story. Blue Hawkeye begins as a poison, an asbestos and with time it transforms into a very beautiful crystal gemstone. It is said that blue Hawkeye is the gemstone that transforms poverty into extreme wealth.

• Costume Jewelry

• Also known as fashion jewelry, costume jewelry is typically made with base metals like brass, aluminum, and copper. Pieces are sometimes plated with gold or other precious metals. Real gemstones usually aren’t used, with designers instead opting for synthetic jewels and rhinestones. Costume jewelry has a significantly lower price point than fine jewelry, but its range can be quite diverse. Lower end costume jewelry can have a single digit price point, while higher quality pieces can still sell for hundreds. 

• Gold Plated Lighthouse Bracelet Scrimshaw
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  Avon Dragon Costume Rhinestone

  Avon Dragon at Grandmas Jewelry

• Demi-fine Jewelry

  This new category of jewelry is a mixture of fine and costume jewelry. It’s made with semi-precious metals and gemstones, with sterling silver or gold vermeil foundations and stones like topaz, amethyst, and quartz varieties. Demi-fine jewelry has a mid-range price point, with pieces often selling in the hundreds.

• 

Sterling Silver Amethyst Gemstone Brooch

Although costume jewelry isn’t made with precious materials, it still plays a valuable role in the jewelry industry and fashion world. It was introduced as an alternative to unaffordable fine jewelry in the 1800s, and was widely adopted by fashionable women all over the world. To this day, many people appreciate the accessibility of costume jewelry and prefer it to fine jewelry. 

The Biggest Misconceptions About Costume Jewelry

Costume jewelry can sometimes have a bad reputation, but we believe this is completely unwarranted. Here are some of the biggest misunderstandings and perceptions that people have about costume jewelry:

• It’s always poor quality. The quality of a costume jewelry piece will depend on its materials and craftsmanship. Some costume jewelry pieces look amazing for decades, as the vintage costume jewelry market proves. 
• Costume jewelry is not as prestigious. Many famous designer brands release costume jewelry collections. Luxury names like Chanel, Schiaparelli, Dior, and Vivienne Westwood all create costume jewelry.
• Costume jewelry has no value. Certain pieces are considered coveted vintage collectibles and hold immense value. A vintage costume jewelry piece from the right designer can sell for hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars! Alfred Phillipee of Trifari Jewelry designed a poinsettia brooch that sold for nearly 10,000 and it was entirely costume jewelry.

How To Tell If Your Costume Jewelry Holds Value

Now for the intriguing part: how can you tell if your costume jewelry is valuable? Here are some tell-tale signs you’ve found a lucrative piece. 

• It’s a designer piece. Aside from the big luxury names that everyone knows, there are certain names that add value to a piece. Vintage costume jewelry designers like Miriam Haskell, Marcel Boucher, Carnegie, Coro, Eisenberg, Hobe, and Trifari are all well-respected in the industry, and their pieces are still highly coveted. Just be sure to check your piece for authenticity. You can do so by looking for a mark or stamp on the piece, or taking it to a jeweler’s or antique store for verification. 
• Miriam Haskell Article
• Marcel Boucher Article

• Its quality holds up.

  If you’ve encountered a vintage piece that still looks great, it’s likely because it was well-crafted. Characteristics like a sturdy weight, a well-made clasp, and intact plating are all signs of good quality. 

• Its design is in-demand. The world of vintage jewelry is not immune to the trends of mainstream fashion. If a vintage piece has an on-trend design feature, it will become more valuable. 

Of course, if you’re still unsure, the best thing to do is consult an expert. 

If you’re building a collection from scratch, be sure to shop from a reputable source. Here at Grandma’s Jewelry, we do all the hard work for you by sourcing high quality, authentic vintage costume jewelry that truly stands the test of time.

Bring a unique look – and enhanced value – to your jewelry collection by browsing our collections on our website or eBay shop today!