Vintage Costume Jewellery
Vintage costume jewellery brings together bright silver, sparkling paste and vivid glass in bold Art Deco designs that collectors prize for everyday wear.
Vintage Costume Jewellery
Vintage costume jewellery encompasses decorative pieces produced during the early twentieth century, specifically from the nineteen-twenties and nineteen-thirties. The selection centres on striking Art Deco earrings, bar brooches and necklaces designed to catch the eye without relying on precious gemstones.
The objects available on this page lean heavily into geometric styling and vibrant colour palettes, utilising silver settings alongside glass and enamel. Earrings feature both screwback and clip-back fastenings typical of the period, while brooches and necklaces showcase coordinated stones.
How they were made
Maker techniques rely on silver settings combined with intricate glass paste elements, marcasite accents and vitreous enamel. Metalwork takes the form of structured frames designed to securely hold cut glass and rhinestones.
Stones are set using traditional claw or bezel methods, while faux diamonds and emeralds are faceted to mimic fine jewellery. Chrome and silver provide the primary metal foundations for necklaces and brooches.
Vintage Costume Jewellery Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for vintage costume jewellery among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Some earrings feature screwbacks so tight they could probably survive a brisk gale on an ocean liner.
What varies in quality
Quality differences emerge in the precision of the stone-setting and the brilliance of the glass paste or rhinestones used. Finer pieces demonstrate careful enamel work and secure fastening mechanisms that remain fully functional.
The choice of materials also dictates the standard of the piece, with genuine silver settings and natural marcasite distinguishing higher-grade items from simpler chrome and glass combinations.
The Vintage Costume Jewellery Glossary
- Paste
- Hand-cut glass used to imitate precious gemstones in antique jewellery. It is often foiled at the back to increase reflectivity and brilliance.
- Marcasite
- Small, faceted pieces of iron pyrite polished and set into silver to create a sparkling, steel-like decorative border. It was widely utilised in Art Deco designs.
- Chrysoprase
- A gemstone variety of chalcedony containing nickel, displaying a distinct apple-green colour. It appears frequently in period silver mounts.
- Screwback
- A mechanical earring fastening featuring a threaded screw mechanism, common in non-pierced earrings from the nineteen-twenties and nineteen-thirties.
Vintage Costume Jewellery: Frequently Asked Questions
What is vintage costume jewellery?
Vintage costume jewellery refers to non-precious decorative ornaments made for fashion rather than investment, primarily dating from the early decades of the twentieth century.
These items use base metals, silver, glass and paste to replicate the look of high-end fine jewellery using innovative design.
How do I date these pieces?
Dating relies on identifying period characteristics such as geometric Art Deco motifs, specific metal choices like chrome or silver, and fastening types.
Items from the nineteen-twenties and nineteen-thirties often display characteristic screwback closures and specific glass paste colour combinations.
Are these pieces made of real silver?
Many items utilise silver for their primary structure, often paired with decorative elements like marcasite, enamel or coloured glass paste.
Other pieces incorporate chrome alongside glass components to achieve the desired metallic finish without using solid precious metals throughout.
How should I care for my jewellery?
Care requires gentle handling to protect delicate enamel work, secure paste stones and silver settings from moisture and harsh cleaning chemicals.
Store pieces separately in lined boxes to prevent scratching the glass surfaces and delicate chrome or silver finishes.