Valuable Vintage Costume Jewelry Worth Money
Vintage costume jewelry isn't just pretty to look at — it’s full of history and artistic expression. Each piece honors the fashion trends and craftsmanship of its time, making it a small but meaningful connection to the past.
These unique designs, often made with care and attention to small details, can also be surprisingly valuable, just like any other vintage piece. Whether you’re a collector, a fan of vintage fashion, or just someone who loves discovering special items, learning about what makes vintage costume jewelry valuable could turn your jewelry box into a treasure chest!
What Makes Vintage Costume Jewelry Valuable?
Not all vintage costume jewelry is worth the same. Several factors affect its value, and understanding these can help you spot the most desirable pieces. Here are the key things to look for.
Designer/Brand
Just like any other clothing item, the brand name of a piece of jewelry can greatly impact its value. For instance, jewelry designers and brands like Trifari, Miriam Haskell, Christian Dior, Sarah Coventry, and Marcel Boucher are well-known for their high-quality and iconic designs. Valuable vintage costume jewelry pieces with hallmarks from these brands often sell for more because of their strong reputation and collector demand.
If you're unsure about the rarity or popularity of a certain designer brand, doing some research and looking at reviews is always the best option!
Materials
Even though costume jewelry doesn’t use real gold or gemstones, the materials still matter a lot. Pieces made with rhinestones, faux pearls, and sterling silver usually stand out because they resemble fine jewelry while being more affordable.
Rhinestones sparkle like diamonds, faux pearls add an elegant touch, and sterling silver provides durability and shine. Some pieces also include precious metal plating, adding to their overall value.
Rarity
Rare jewelry is almost always worth more. Limited-edition collections, antique symbols stamped on jewelry, or designs made during specific periods are especially sought after. These unique pieces make collectors feel like they’re holding a piece of history. Make sure to do your research whenever you buy costume jewelry pieces because you never know –– you might have just found the jackpot!
Condition
The physical state of the jewelry is very important. Items that still have sturdy clasps, unchipped stones, and vibrant colors are far more valuable. Properly cared-for pieces that are free of tarnish and damage always catch the eye of collectors and sell for more. If you’ve already bought one, or have vintage pieces in your collection, knowing how to clean vintage jewelry can help maintain these items’ value over time.
Era
The time period when an old costume jewelry piece was made also affects its value. Jewelry designs from the Art Deco era, with their bold shapes and bright colors, or from the Art Nouveau era, known for its nature-inspired designs, are often highly valuable. They would also use materials that are highly valuable at present, including rhinestones, onyx, enamel, and semi-precious stones.
The 20th century saw a wide range of styles, from sleek mid-century looks to the playful and colorful designs of the retro era. Each era brings its own charm and appeal, highlighting the fascinating differences between antique and vintage jewelry.
Top Vintage Costume Jewelry Brands & Designers to Look For
Some brands and designers have become legendary in the world of vintage costume jewelry. Their pieces stand out for their craftsmanship, creativity, and timeless appeal. Here’s what makes each designer brand special.
Coro
Coro was one of the most popular and largest costume jewelry manufacturers of the 20th century, making it highly loved by the masses. Known for its intricate brooches and necklaces, Coro often used floral designs and sparkling rhinestones.
Its sub-brands, like Corocraft and Vendome, catered to different price ranges while maintaining high quality, making sure that there was something for everyone. Coro’s ability to create elegant but affordable pieces made it a favorite for decades.
Trifari
Trifari is a name that immediately portrays vintage sophistication. With designer Alfred Philippe, who previously worked for Cartier, Trifari created stunning pieces that looked like fine jewelry. They're famous for using faux pearls, rhinestones, gold plating, and geometric designs. The attention to detail and high-quality materials used in Trifari jewelry give it lasting value.
Weiss
Albert Weiss founded Weiss Jewelry with the goal of producing stunning, yet affordable pieces. Known for their dazzling Austrian crystals and vibrant rhinestone combinations, Weiss pieces often shine as brightly as fine jewelry. The brand's signature items include snowflake brooches and colorful rhinestone sets, which are popular with collectors.
Hattie Carnegie
Hattie Carnegie’s jewelry is all about elegance and personality. Her designs often featured bright colors and unique motifs, such as whimsical animal brooches and nature-inspired pieces, making them perfect for those who love vintage fashion. Carnegie is best known for creating stylish accessories that complemented her high-end clothing lines.
Miriam Haskell
Miriam Haskell’s jewelry stands out for its intricate, handmade craftsmanship. Her pieces often feature nature-inspired motifs, such as floral arrangements and delicate vines. Her materials included faux pearls, colorful glass beads, and gold-plated details.
Haskell’s pieces were also frequently worn by Hollywood stars in the mid-20th century, adding to their charm and legacy. Each design feels like a wearable work of art, with unmatched attention to detail, making them highly prized by collectors and fashion enthusiasts.
Juliana (DeLizza & Elster)
Juliana jewelry is famous for its bold designs and colorful rhinestones. Made by DeLizza & Elster, these pieces are often unmarked, which makes identifying them a fun challenge for collectors.
Juliana’s use of vibrant, oversized stones and creative arrangements gives their jewelry pieces a dramatic and eye-catching appeal. Popular designs include layered brooches and statement necklaces that were meant to turn heads at any event. This brand’s emphasis on quality and creativity makes it a standout in vintage costume jewelry.
Eisenberg
Eisenberg jewelry was originally created to complement the company’s clothing line but soon gained fame for its own beauty and excellence. Known for its large, sparkling rhinestones and elegant designs, Eisenberg pieces are usually mistaken for fine jewelry. Their glamorous look makes them highly sought after. Many of their brooches and earrings are intricately set with Austrian crystals, making them a favorite for formal occasions.
Napier
Napier’s designs are known for their versatility and bold style. The brand’s gold-tone pieces and playful motifs have a timeless appeal that continues to attract vintage enthusiasts.
Napier excelled at creating jewelry that could transition from casual to formal wear, making it a go-to choice for many women. Gold-tone designs and colorful enamel accents are common features, and their high-quality craftsmanship ensures that these pieces remain timeless and durable.
Schiaparelli
Elsa Schiaparelli brought surrealism into jewelry design, often collaborating with famous artists like Salvador Dalí. Her bold and imaginative pieces feature unusual shapes, vibrant colors, and avant-garde themes, including celestial themes and abstract designs, making them highly collectible.
Christian Dior
Christian Dior’s costume jewelry radiates luxury and refinement. The brand is known for its intricate designs that usually incorporate Swarovski crystals, high-quality glass beads, and gold or silver plating.
Many of Dior’s pieces, such as their chandelier earrings and delicate bracelets, were designed to complement the elegance of their couture collections. Dior’s ability to combine high fashion with timeless jewelry design has made their vintage pieces some of the most sought-after by collectors.
Sarah Coventry
Sarah Coventry made stylish, affordable jewelry available to the everyday consumer. Famous for its home party sales model, the brand offered bold floral designs and colorful stones. Sarah Coventry even created the “Lady Crown” or “The Queen Crown”, one of the most iconic Miss Universe crowns, adding to its legacy.
Marcel Boucher
Marcel Boucher’s designs blend artistry and luxury. As a former Cartier designer, Boucher used fine jewelry techniques to create costume jewelry pieces featuring exotic themes like birds and flowers. His use of high-quality rhinestones and enamel detailing makes his jewelry stand out as both collectible and timeless.
How to Identify Valuable Vintage Costume Jewelry
Spotting valuable vintage costume jewelry requires attention to detail and a bit of research. Here’s how you can identify treasures:
Check for marks and stamps - Look for brand names or hallmarks, often engraved on the back of brooches or inside bracelet clasps. Brands like Juliana, however, are often unmarked, so additional research may be needed.
Assess weight and quality - Heavier jewelry often indicates better craftsmanship and materials.
Inspect materials - High-quality rhinestones, faux pearls, and sterling silver are signs of value.
Examine details and style - Unique motifs, intricate designs, and era-specific styles can increase a piece’s worth.
Do your research - Compare similar items online, consult collector’s guides, and visit estate sales, thrift stores, flea markets, or auctions to discover valuable pieces. Consulting a vintage costume jewelry price guide can also help you estimate the value of specific pieces.
Discover Vintage Costume Jewelry at ShopGoodwill.com
Ready to find your next vintage treasure? ShopGoodwill.com makes it simple to explore a wide variety of costume jewelry, from famous designer pieces to rare, one-of-a-kind finds. You can uncover hidden gems and add timeless elegance to your collection. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a curious beginner, ShopGoodwill.com has something for you.
By choosing secondhand shopping, you’re not only embracing sustainable practices but also supporting ShopGoodwill.com’s mission to provide education, training, and job opportunities. It’s a win for you, the planet, and those who benefit from your purchases.
Start browsing our online thrift store today and discover why vintage costume jewelry is more than just an accessory. With ShopGoodwill.com, every piece of vintage jewelry has a story, and every purchase makes a difference.
Sources:
Antique Trader. (2024, January 30). How to Identify Unmarked Costume Jewelry. https://www.antiquetrader.com/collectibles/costume-jewelry-unmarked
Busby Estate Liquidation & Realty Services & Busby Estate Liquidation & Realty Services. (2023). Unlocking the treasure trove: discover the most collectible vintage costume jewelry brands! Busby Estate Liquidation & Realty Services. https://busbyestates.com/most-collectible-vintage-costume-jewelry-brands/
VIP Art Fair. (2024). Most Valuable Costume Jewelry: Identification, Valuation, And Buying Guide. Retrieved fromhttps://www.vipartfair.org/most-valuable-costume-jewelry/