The Story of the Fabulous Fakes
How Antique Costume Jewelry Became a Hot Collectible

eep your eyes open at the next church bazaar or yard sale you attend - somebody's aunt or grandmother may have been keeping a precious piece tucked away for years in a bureau drawer and the seller doesn't know the treasure they have. Antique American Costume Jewelry, or "Fabulous Fakes" made with rhinestones, colored glass stones, and gold-plated metal or sterling silver began to appear in the U.S. in the early twenties. Designers like Miriam Haskell started selling in 1925. A number of European immigrants came to the US in the 20s and 30s and some of them settled in Providence Rhode Island where a small industry developed. Others were based in Chicago and New York.


  The popularity of costume or "junk" jewelry grew when Movie stars from Hollywood started wearing the pieces both in films and in real life. One of their favorite designers was "Joseff of Hollywood" beginning in the 1940s.

  Beauty and originality of design as well as careful craftmanship is typical and marks many of the pieces from the 30s 40s and even 40s. Today antique costume jewelry is enjoying a huge revival and desirability and signed pieces can fetch of to thousands of dollars on the market.

  Favorite pieces sought by buyers include Ciner, Eisenberg Originals, Napier, Nettie Rosenstein, and Hattie Carnegie. Some of today's celebrities who favor costume jewelry are Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, Diane Keaton, Tina Turner, Madonna, Prince, Demi Moore, Courtney Love, and Nicolette Sheridan.

  The hardest pieces to find are from the 30s and 40s and up to mid-fifties. I deal in some pieces from the 60s and 70s but I really prefer the earlier jewelry.