Vintage costume jewellery is once more in vogue and none more so than collectable 1930's and 50's diamante. For most of the "baby boomers" it conjours up memories of saturday night dances with all their rustle of taffeta skirts and excitement. Whether they took place in a country memorial hall, or a shabby chic ballroom on an English pier the nostalgia is the same. Now, that preloved jewellery has aquired a new charm and respectability.In the 1920's and 30's in the wake of the Sharemarket Crash ,the interest in Art Deco jewellery and the growing influence of Hollywood a new style of jewellery emerged. Fortunes had been lost and many of old wealthy society could no longer afford their diamond and platinum pieces. Many of the skilled jewellers and designers turned their attention to the new growing International market of costume jewellery.
The stylish designs of Van Cleef & Arpels, and Cartier were copied using diamante or rhinestones. Famous couturiers such as Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli created costume jewellry to complement their own fashion designs. As a general rule the pieces of this era were detailed and superbly well made. They were also relatively expensive so were looked after and often kept in their original boxes.This is one of the reasons that so many have survived in" as new " condition.
By the 1950's ,after two World Wars there was a craving for abundance and glamour.During the war manufactors had been unable to purchase the rhinestones from the Austrian crystal company Swarovski,or the other companies in Bohemia and Eastern Europe.
Designers had made use of gilt metal with perhaps one stone, in bold shapes that showed up well on the Utilitarian jackets of grey and black. Now costume jewellery sparkled with all its glitz and fablously fake look. The buying customers loved it and business boomed.The jewellery was not necessarily made to last, the throw away era had arrived and the young reacted against the Wartime scrimping and making do.
Today anything goes, you can wear two or three brooches together, or put one on a hat or beret.
They look great hitching up a fold of skirt to create a new look to a favourite garment, or jazz up a coat and add some sparkle to a drab office day.
Necklace's are popular for night or day, and often different shapes put together can look more interesting than a matching set. You can pay anything from $10 to $150 dollars for a brooch.
The price can be affected by the quality, age and condition. Having a named piece can double the price but don't disregard good quality unmarked pieces.
Many antique and collectable shops have a good range of pieces, and don't overlook the source of Aunts old box of Costme "Junk", many an unwanted trasure has been discovered there with the added bonus that its free or comes from someone you love.
When you tire of it store it away safely for the next generation.
Pieces will never be as cheap or well made again , as much of the setting and finishing was hand done.
