Note: We do not offer appraisals on jewelry that contains precious stones, such as diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.
What’s It Worth Fact:
Coco Chanel greatly popularized costume jewelry in her time, donning faux pearls and other pieces by famous designers.
It is important to note the distinction between costume jewelry and fine jewelry. Fine jewelry is jewelry with precious gemstones such as diamonds, rubies, and sapphires. Costume jewelry, on the other hand, is made of non-precious materials, such as polished metals and rhinestones. While precious gemstones almost always carry value, regardless of the age, vintage costume jewelry can also have significant value!
Tips on submitting vintage costume jewelry appraisals:
- To be considered vintage, your jewelry should be at least 20-30 years old.
- Costume jewelry from significant design eras, such as Art Deco (1920s and 30s) is almost always hot on the market.
- Traditional jewelry cleaner is too harsh for costume jewelry – you can use a q-tip dipped in a 50/50 mix of water and baby shampoo to clean it. Be sure to dry thoroughly using a towel or microfiber cloth.
- Be sure to include lots of details about how long you’ve had the piece, where you got it, and any other background details. This can help differentiate between actual vintage pieces and newer vintage-style pieces.
Meet our appraiser:
Click here to meet Laura, our vintage costume jewelry specialist!
