Identifying Costume Jewelry Made In The 20th Century

Identifying Costume Jewelry by Designer

Part 1

Identifying Costume Jewelry by designer can be quite overwhelming when you start collecting Antique Costume Jewelry.

To make it a bit easier, this page is divided into two parts, Identifying Costume Jewelry, by designer, Part 2 (still under construction) is an extension of this page and a continuation of the best-of-the-best, fine costume jewelry designers and the unique jewelry making methods each one used.

This information on these pages, will prove to be an invaluable tool to help you differentiate between cheap costume jewelry and authentic fine costume jewelry. As you gain more experience, you'll develop a certain kind of "expertise" in identifying costume jewelry, according to the particular designer's preferences at the time. The first thing, when you're identifying fine, vintage costume jewelry is to check if it's signed or not; costume jewelry is often signed.

Many pieces are extravagant, stunningly beautiful and also precious. Miriam Haskell, Chanel, Dior, and Elsa Schiaparelli set trends for the rest of the fashion world to follow.

Another things to check when identifying costume jewelry, is any signs of damage, such as missing stones and chipped enamel.

Below are identification tips peculiar to each jewelry designer. These investor tips will help you identifying costume jewelry.

Eisenberg:

Eisenberg started as a clothing company that made pins to accessorize its dresses. As the pins proved so popular they were then sold separately.

Fine materials include swarovski rhinestones.

Large pieces are made to bold designs

Early 1940s figural pins are very collectible.

Rhodium plated metal with prong and bezel settings were popular.

1930-45 pieces are marked "Eisenberg Original" and after 1945 "Eisenberg Ice."

Hobe: 1887-present

The company was founded in New York by the son of a Parisian goldsmith.

Materials included vermeil (gold plated silver), platinum, pastes and semi-precious stones.

Exotic designs and reproductions of historic pieces owned by European royalty.

Marcel Boucher: 1937-72

Marcel Boucher learned fine jewelry skills from working for Cartier and his pieces are so well made they are often mistaken for the real thing.

French by birth, Marcel Boucher became one of the finest US costume jewelry designers and makers.

Innovative designs use exquisite metalwork, rhinestones in cuts and colors that resemble precious gemstones and colorful enameling.

The colors of enamels are expertly shaded.

Costume jewelry by Boucher may be marked "MB", "Marboux", "Marcel Boucher" or just "Boucher."

Many pieces are competitively priced, even undervalued and as such, represent an excellent investment.

Joseff of Hollywood: 1905-48

Eugene Joseff designed jewelry for Hollywood film studios and sold copies to star-struck fans.

The majority of pieces feature "Russian gold" a semi-matter copper-gold finish that minimized flare under the studio lights.

Most pieces are signed but beware of bright examples.

When you're identifying costume jewelry, by Eugene Joseff, have in mind that the value plummets if polished.

If the signature is in block letters it indicates the piece was made in the 1930s or 40s.

Christian Dior: 1905-57

Christian Dior's "New Look" transformed fashion after World War II. Jewelry was an integral part of his collections.

Early pieces were made in small numbers for particular outfits or clients.

Later pieces made under license in greater numbers with unusual pastes and stones.

Most pieces are signed and dated.

Quality of stones and settings are always striking.

Maison Gripoix: 1870-present

Identifying Costume Jewelry - Maison Gripoix

For three generations, The Gripoix family has made poured glass jewelry under its own name and for fashion houses, Chanel- Costume Jewelry and Dior since the mid-1920s.

The company's skill with the poured glass technique means it can create both subtle and vibrant colours with varying degrees of translucency and opacity.

Pieces from the early 1990s onward are marked Histoire de Verre.

Kenneth Jay Lane: 1930-present

Identifying Costume Jewelry-Kenneth J Lane

Bright, bold, elegant and affordable designs. Lane began making jewelry in 1963. Pieces made up to the late 1970s are most collectable. Kenneth Jay Lane's "cinderella" philosophy -"Wearing costume jewelry is like wearing glass-slippers. You can feel like you're going to the ball, even if you're not."

Distinctive combinations of materials and re-interpretations of traditional styles.

Clever re-workings of many traditional styles, including Greco-Roman, Egyptian, Medieval and Renaissance, through to Art Deco and Asian.

Stones usually show exceptional depth of color.

Signature before 1970 is "K.J.L.", after 1970 "Kenneth Jay Lane" or "Kenneth Lane."

Elsa Schiaparelli: 1890-1873

Identifying Costume Jewelry -Elsa Schiaparelli

Elsa Schiaparelli founded a fashion house in Paris in the early 1920s and drove costume jewelry to the cutting edge of fashion.

When identifying costume jewelry by Schiaparelli look for costume jewelry which is quirky, surrealist-inspired, highly stylized designs.

From the 1950s she was based in New York and made abstract or floral jewelry designs using colorful stones and glass.

Her signature color was "shocking pink" at a time when Coco Channels' little black dress was still de rigueur.

Early pieces are usually unsigned;later pieces are signed.

Many fakes have been produced and even veteran collectors have been scammed on ebay.

Weiss: 1942-72

Identifying Costume Jewelry-Weiss vintage costume brooch

This highly successful company is renowned for its exquisite floral, foliate, fruit or figural designs using Australian crystal rhinestones.

Settings may be antiqued gold tone.

Convincing reproductions of german smoky quartz crystals known as "black diamonds."

Stones set in gold and silver alloys may be enameled or in 1960s japanned (dull black).

Undervalued for years, prices are going up!

Mazer Brothers: 1927-81

Joseph and Louis Mazer, from late 1927 in New York City, made affordable, simulations of expensive jewelry. In 1946, Joseph set up his own company, marking his work "Jomaz."

Early pieces were designed by Marcel Boucher before he established how own company in 1934.

Popular designs included, floral, foliate, ribbon-and-bow-motif accented with fine "Sea-Maze" faux pearls or the best Austrian rhinestones.

Stones are in sophisticated cuts and settings.

Pieces remain relatively affordable, according to Judith Miller, Collector's Guides, Costume Jewelry, 2003.

Miriam Haskell: 1899-1981

Identifying Costume Jewelry Miriam Haskell

Miriam Haskell helped to make costume jewelry as prestigious and even more fashionable (according to some people) than fine antique jewelry. Celebrities as well as ordinary people from all walks of life have sought Miriam Haskell costume jewelry to treasure and wear.

When identifying costume jewelry by Haskell, components will include fake pearls and roses montees (flat-backed rhinestones in clusters).

Pearls are attached to a gilt metal chain.

Innovative and complex hand-wired pieces created by a team of designers.

Missing rhinestones and damaged pearls will substanially detract from the value of fine costume jewelry by Miriam Haskell.

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