| Never mistake vintage costume jewelry with the | | | | Novice collectors tend to focus exclusively on signed |
| cheap reproduction jewelry you see in most malls | | | | pieces, but often the unsigned, well-designed pieces |
| and department stores. In fact, vintage costume | | | | prove to be the most profitable to collect. In truth, |
| necklaces, bracelets, and other pieces were originally | | | | the vast majority of vintage costume pieces are |
| purchased by American soldiers in French boutiques, | | | | actually unsigned. Simply knowing what makes a |
| and brought home after the First World War. Trifari, | | | | stunning design unique can help you identify the |
| Coro, and dozens of American manufacturers soon | | | | unsigned pieces and optimize profits. The exceptional |
| began producing the designs and pieces that have | | | | quality of jewelry designs from companies like |
| turned into some of the most prized collectibles on | | | | Hollycraft and Bergere make unsigned pieces from |
| the vintage market today. | | | | these companies both easy to recognize and very |
| Unlike the fashion jewelry produced and sold today, | | | | profitable to collect. |
| vintage pieces have dramatically appreciated in value | | | | The type and quality of gemstones used is typically |
| over the years and are expected to continue doing | | | | the most relevant factor to the price of a vintage |
| so in the future. Buying low and selling high is very | | | | piece of costume jewelry. The majority of vintage |
| possible in the world of vintage jewelry collecting, but | | | | costume pieces are indeed made with relatively |
| identifying the most profitable pieces is an art all of | | | | inexpensive semi-precious materials, but seasoned |
| its own. Investors need to look at five main areas to | | | | collectors know that a few companies went all out |
| assess value of a vintage piece of costume jewelry: | | | | and only used exceptionally high quality gemstones in |
| Demand | | | | their jewelry. Try locating pieces from companies like |
| Market Supply | | | | Eisenberg or Bogoff as they almost always used the |
| Craftsmanship | | | | best stones possible. Other designers who have |
| Design | | | | excellent craftsmanship and design with great |
| Condition | | | | potential to buy low and sell high include Kramer, |
| From basic economics we know that higher demand | | | | Danecraft, and Trifari. |
| will lead to greater price points, and ultimately raise | | | | Last but certainly not least, the condition of the |
| profits for the investor. Signed vintage necklaces, | | | | jewelry plays a critical role in its value. With some |
| brooches, and earrings by Miriam Haskell are currently | | | | pieces nearing 100 years old, it is quite common to |
| the hot items in the costume jewelry market, but | | | | find vintage jewelry showing significant signs of wear |
| being able to identify the valuable items from the | | | | including scratches, peeling, discoloration, and even |
| pretty imitators is what separates the successful | | | | missing stones. But while some degree of wear is |
| collectors from the mere hobbyist. Remember, the | | | | expected, it is not the only factor that determines |
| most popular designs are not necessarily the prettiest | | | | price. Collecting vintage costume pieces is still a very |
| or most unique but they will tend to be more | | | | profitable venture for anyone knowing how to |
| profitable to collect. | | | | identify the truly profitable pieces. |
| So why do people like some pieces but not others? | | | | |