Understanding the Origins and Mystique of Costume Jewelry

The wardrobe of the woman is not complete without jewelry. In these days of recession and rising prices, it is very difficult to obtain a reasonably priced piece of jewelry. Costume Jewelry is inexpensive, attractive and very often surpasses the original jewelry is luster and charm. Let us find out what makes them so special.

One can expect the best vintage costume jewelry from designers who formerly worked for famous jewelry houses from many parts of the world. These came to prominence during the beginning of the early 20^th century. The designers use stones and non-precious metals for fashioning their pieces. The range of items made is extensive just as in the case of original jewelry.

Classification of Jewelry in Basic Form

First, we have to categorize these adornments into those worn on the arms, various portions of the body or on the clothes. Thus, we have the following.

a)    Bracelets:  People wear these on the arms. They make these from metal, ceramic, glass or plastic.

b)   Earrings: These are rings or hangings made from decorative pieces of glass, ceramic, semiprecious or precious stones set in metal or plastic.

c)    Bangles:  People wear these around the wrists. They make them from glass or plastic.

d)   Pendants: These are attachments to the necklaces. They may have stones or beads made of glass and ceramic.

e)    Dress Clips or Fur Clips: These clips most often have a stone set in them. Their main function is to serve as securing devices for dresses and furs.

f)     Necklaces: These are chains made of gold, silver and plastic and worn around the neck. They may have stones set into them or have pendants attached.

g)    Pins or Brooches: Pins or brooches are also devices to secure the clothes. One can fashion them from precious metal or from ceramic and plastic.

h)   Charm bracelets: These are bracelets, which people wear for good luck. People wear them on special occasions, like festivals also.

i)     Rings: These are small circular objects made of metal or plastic. One can also have them made from material like Bakelite and ceramic. Normally, people wear them around their finger.

Evolution of Jewelry with Passage of Time

The costume jewelry evolved over time and different ages adopted different styles and used varied settings for their jewels.

1.    Art Nouveau and Art Deco Eras (1895-1935)

The costume jewelry took impetus around this time. This period lasted until the World War II and the Depression. Mass production set in and with the pieces became more geometric and symmetric in appearance. This mainly took place due to mass production. Bangle bracelets and large pendants were characteristic of this period.

2.    Georgian Era (pre-1837)

During this time, jewelers made inexpensive trinkets and fake jewelry from pieces of glass, nickel, silver and Lucite. The metals used were sterling silver and base metal since they had a unique luster.

3.    Retro Vintage (1930-1950)

During this period, there was trouble with mass production. Sophistication and elegance marked the pieces, which were mainly bows, flowers and pendants made from Bakelite, moonstones and plastics.

4.    Victorian-Edwardian Era (1948-1980)

After World War II, jewelry overall, became understated. The ornaments were large and bold. Rhinestones found more usage. The items made were bracelets, Christmas tree pins and poodle pins.

Material used for Making Jewelry

One attraction of costume jewelry is the limitless variety of colors and shades. This is possible because there is virtually no restriction on the kind of material that one may use. Choosing different settings for the same stone or material can alter the beauty of the jewel. Similarly, choosing commonplace material like glass or paste over gold or silver may result in wonderfully exquisite pieces.

1. Lucite: This material is heavier than plastic but one can mold or carve them easily. It also takes colors and people shape them to look like costly items.

2. Bakelite: Fire resistant and castable, Bakelite is light and finds use as bracelets, pins, rings and similar items of jewelry. It is inexpensive.

3. Copper:  Copper is very shiny and cheaper than gold or silver. It is also malleable and gives strength to gold jewelry. Copper chains and beads have been in use since historic times.

4. Enamel: It is a form of applying glass to the surface of metals. The metal can be gold, copper or bronze. The color of the enamel is due to the highly transparent glass surface adhering to the metal.

5. Glass: Glass has several classifications such as Riedel glass and recycled glass. Vintage glass collections often include pieces like drinking cups. Glass beads and gems include an extended range of colors because glass takes splendid colors.

6. Paste: Paste is flint glass with high refractive index cast into gems because they are colorful and transparent. This kind of jewelry has been in production since the days of the Romans.

7. Silver: Silver takes good shine; it forms the fantastic setting for colored stones.

8. Rhinestone: Used as imitation diamonds, people refer to these at times as Austrian Crystals. More than jewelry, people use them as decorative pieces on costumes.

9. Gold: This is one of the most precious metals known to man. It is highly malleable and finds use as the base for precious and semi-precious stones. Gold has several properties conducive to healthy living.

10. Crystal: Gorgeous crystals of garnet, apatite, labradorite and eudialyte adorn jewelry pieces like necklaces, pins, bracelets and earrings. These do not cost much and look very pretty.

11. Cabochon: This is a particular cut of stone. It may be fashioned from any stone, ceramic, wood or porcelain. People use it extensively in jewelry.

Becoming Familiar with Costume Jewelry Designers of Today

Changing needs and availability of material play a key role in determining the final form the jewelry takes. In addition, each designer adds his or her special touch that makes each piece unique. These designers changed the fashion field distinctively.

1)   Coro

2)   Miriam Haskell

3)   Weiss

4)   Kramer

5)   Hattie Carnegie

6)   Monet

7)   Hobe

8)   Ciner

9)   Napier

10) Kenneth Jay Lane

11) Eisenberg

12)Boucher

13) Juliana

14) Lisner

15) Trifari

16) Sherman

Lisner, who had most of their jewelry made by others such as Whiting & Davis were importing and distributing Schiaparelli jewelry in US until the 1930’s. Towards the 1950’s, their outlook modernized and the good abstract sensibility of their jewelry won hearts. Their ornamentation, which included leaves and fruits, captured the timeless spirit of the ages.

Coro existed in the same period, as did Trifari and Lisner. Their style was characteristic of the time yet subtly different from their competitors.

Trifari used a crown symbol over their T as a symbol. Most of their jewelry included this crown except for those pieces where space restriction prevented them from writing the entire crown symbol.

Come Summer 2013 it is Time for a Wardrobe Makeover

Contrasts are for statement makers, haughty and racy, mismatching and accentuating certain aspects of the attire or the body shape. Come summer 2013 and the race between the wallet and wardrobe will be the one that is on the top of the list for almost everyone. 

Women's wear for summer 2013 
Women's fashion follows all the physical characteristics of the woman. Some are wider at the top and some are as thin as a ramrod.
Prints with vertical stripes or checks, polka dots and flowers with a snug jacket that does not fall too low are matched with skirts, short or flared or with pants that are comfortable more than anything else.
A raised waist dress looks good for the woman who is rotund and not so top heavy. If on the other hand you have thin figure you might try to accentuate it with loose top caught at the waist and flaring out. If style coefficients dictate that you have to wear pants, try to get the baggy type and match it with sweatshirt or loose cotton floral print top.

Keep a bag handy
Choose a good bag for summer 2013 to accompany the sensual lines of the clothes and the person. Like sunshine sparkling of the gold bracelet accentuating the skirt line. Fashion needs meet at the confluence of comfort and brevity.
Shoulder bags are necessities the lights at the crossroads, the prop that pivots the person into his social sphere of personal glory. These are capacious, stylish, come in various models with hanging beads or fringe work to accentuate the movements, another landmark passed by. Clutches linger, flit and wave around like butterflies, all essentialities, credit cards and loose change clutched in one tight bundle. Tote bags are the all serving valet, the cross between the master and the outsider, splendid on the outside and functional on the inside.


Men's attire and fashion necessities
For summer 2013 starting with the shoes, one would need a pair of loafers, browns and one or two sets of dress shoes. Depending on how active the person is socially, you might need navy or black suit and of course white shirts to order and shirts of different plain colors to go with the color of the suit.
Floral prints are back and match well with gabardine pants. One might want jeans or denims to go the casual way. Good fitting short pants and sleeveless tops of cotton or similar material will help beat the heat. One would need a leather or calf belt of the latest style and fashion to match the dress of course.


               
Fragrances
Fragrances are as much the part of a man's makeup kit and style coefficient as it is a woman's regime. Gentle perfumes or body lotions give punch to the personality and emphasizes the looks.

Casual Garments
Casual wear is important, most of the time the man relaxes in his casual attire. Polo shirts or tops with patterns, the summer dictates the kind of fabric chosen. Cotton t-shirts with bright colors and intriguing patterns will help you weather out the hay until winter. Keeping it all within a budget is difficult and you may have to cut corners sometimes. However, a cheaper pair of jeans or a less expensive pair of pants will give good comfort and keep you closer to base.


Things to remember:
When hunting for bargains, cheaper garments need not be the better choice. When you can save by opting for a different brand, it is the wiser option.
Do not do all you shopping at one stretch, break it up and wait for discount sales to catch up with you.

Attire to look out for

When one is shopping for summer 2013 for underwear and t-shirts, one always purchases a good brand. It is difficult to keep running to the store every month for these indispensible pieces of clothing. Sportswear and festive wear depend on the person, his fashion preferences and lifestyle. If one plays games, goes for jogging or indulges in sporting activity one must choose the attire that is suitable for the game. Like the flowers in spring, they are colorful and attractive and can substitute as casual wear. This is true for both men and women, but having an extra pair will always help, especially when you have guests sleeping over.


                 
Nightwear is good only if they are comfortable. If they are all glittery and full of laces without being comfortable, then it is not worth the while. Though many prefer to sleep in their shorts, owning a separate pair of pajamas will help preserve the other garments in your wardrobe.