Estate Costume Jewelry
Vintage 1950s French Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1950s French Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1960s French Link Bracelets
Chrysophrase, Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s American Link Necklaces
Chrysophrase, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Unknown Beaded Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s Unknown Modern Brooches
Enamel
Vintage 1950s American Modern Brooches
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches
Coral, 14k Gold
Vintage 1960s American Modern Chain Bracelets
Vintage 1950s American Modern Link Bracelets
Vintage 1960s American Modern Choker Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s American Modern Clip-on Earrings
Vintage 1960s American Modern Clip-on Earrings
Mid-20th Century Indian Moorish Collectible Jewelry
Leather
Vintage 1970s French Modern Brooches
1990s French Modern Brooches
Vintage 1980s American Modern Brooches
1990s American Modern Brooches
Vintage 1960s Unknown Modern Brooches
Vintage 1940s American Modern Brooches
Freshwater Pearl, Gold-filled
Vintage 1980s American Retro Brooches
1990s French Modern Brooches
Vintage 1980s American Retro Brooches
1990s American Modern Brooches
Vintage 1960s Unknown Modern Brooches
Vintage 1950s Unknown Modern Brooches
Vintage 1960s American Modern Brooches
Vintage 1960s American Modern Brooches
Vintage 1950s American Modern Brooches
Vintage 1980s Unknown Modern Brooches
Vintage 1970s American Modern Brooches
Vintage 1980s American Modern Brooches
1990s American Modern Brooches
Vintage 1960s American Retro Brooches
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1980s Unknown Modern Brooches
Vintage 1960s American Modern Brooches
Vintage 1950s American Modern Brooches
Vintage 1970s American Modern Brooches
Vintage 1950s American Modern Brooches
Vintage 1950s Unknown Modern Brooches
Vintage 1950s American Modern Brooches
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Brooches
Gold-filled
Vintage 1950s American Modern Brooches
Vintage 1940s American Modern Brooches
Vintage 1950s American Modern Brooches
Vintage 1930s French Brooches
Amethyst, Pearl, Quartz, Gold, Gilt Metal, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s Chinese Modern Beaded Necklaces
Vintage 1970s American Modern Chain Necklaces
Vintage 1950s Unknown Modern Beaded Necklaces
1990s American Modern Beaded Necklaces
1990s American Modern Charm Bracelets
Vintage 1950s American Modern Choker Necklaces
Vintage 1950s Czech Modern Beaded Necklaces
Vintage 1950s American Modern Beaded Necklaces
Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Beaded Necklaces
Vintage 1960s American Modern Dangle Earrings
Vintage 1950s American Modern Chain Necklaces
Vintage 1950s American Modern Chain Necklaces
Vintage 1950s American Modern Choker Necklaces
- 1
Estate Costume Jewelry For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Estate Costume Jewelry?
A Close Look at modern Jewelry
Rooted in centuries of history of adornment dating back to the ancient world, modern jewelry reimagines traditional techniques, forms and materials for expressive new pieces. As opposed to contemporary jewelry, which responds to the moment in which it was created, modern jewelry often describes designs from the 20th to 21st centuries that reflect movements and trends in visual culture.
Modern jewelry emerged from the 19th-century shift away from jewelry indicating rank or social status. The Industrial Revolution allowed machine-made jewelry using electric gold plating, metal alloys and imitation stones, making beautiful jewelry widely accessible. Although mass production deemphasized the materials of the jewelry, the vision of the designer remained important, something that would be furthered in the 1960s with what’s known as the “critique of preciousness.”
A design fair called the “Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes” brought global attention to the Art Deco style in 1925 and gathered a mix of jewelry artists alongside master jewelers like Van Cleef & Arpels, Mauboussin and Boucheron. Art Deco designs from Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels unconventionally mixed gemstones like placing rock crystals next to diamonds while borrowing motifs from eclectic sources including Asian lacquer and Persian carpets. Among Cartier’s foremost design preoccupations at the time were high-contrast color combinations and crisp, geometric forms and patterns. In the early 20th century, modernist jewelers like Margaret De Patta and artists such as Alexander Calder — who is better known for his kinetic sculptures than his provocative jewelry — explored sculptural metalwork in which geometric shapes and lines were preferred over elaborate ornamentation.
Many of the innovations in modern jewelry were propelled by women designers such as Wendy Ramshaw, who used paper to craft her accessories in the 1960s. During the 1970s, Elsa Peretti created day-to-night pieces for Tiffany & Co. while designers like Lea Stein experimented with layering plastic, a material that had been employed in jewelry since the mid-19th century and had expanded into Bakelite, acrylics and other unique materials.
Find a collection of modern watches, bracelets, engagement rings, necklaces, earrings and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
- Is costume jewelry valuable?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Costume jewelry is very desirable on the secondhand market. There are many collectible costume jewelry brands that are quite valuable.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, Dior costume jewelry will tarnish over time if not properly taken care of. Be sure to avoid getting fragrances and creams on your jewelry, and clean your accessories every so often to help it last. Shop a collection of Dior jewelry from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Although costume jewelry is usually more affordable because many Chanel costume pieces have a timeless style as well as good craftsmanship, they hold their value and so can be sold at an expensive price.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 29, 2024You can buy Chanel costume jewelry directly from the brand’s official website as well as in its boutiques. See the site’s store locator in order to find the official Chanel boutique nearest you. You can also find Chanel products on offer at any of the luxury house’s authorized retailers as well as through resellers.
Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel introduced her costume jewelry in the 1920s, when the economy was roaring and fine jewelry was the main mode of adornment among her clients. Fearless about giving offense, Chanel proclaimed, “I love fakes because I find such jewelry provocative, and I find it disgraceful to walk around with millions of dollars around your neck, just because you are rich.” Then, in 1932, in the midst of the Great Depression, Chanel dramatically switched gears and designed her first and only diamond jewelry collection, Bijoux de Diamants.
Find vintage Chanel costume jewelry for sale on 1stDibs. - 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023To tell how old costume jewelry is, first look for identifying marks. You can then use trusted online resources to determine who made the piece. Once you know the maker, you can then research their designs to try and estimate the age. The best way to determine how old a piece of costume jewelry is would be to consult a knowledgeable appraiser or antique jewelry dealer for assistance with dating the accessory. On 1stDibs, explore a collection of vintage and antique jewelry.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023Vintage costume jewelry refers to costume jewelry that is 20 to 80 years old. Jewelry, costume or otherwise, that is 100 years old is referred to as antique. The big design fair in Paris in 1900 inspired jewelers to work with inexpensive materials, and Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel and others helped popularize costume jewelry during the 1920s. The roots of costume jewelry, however, took shape at least as far back as the 18th century, when paste jewelry that featured hand-cut glass instead of gemstones first emerged. Shop a variety of vintage costume jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Chanel uses a variety of materials to produce costume jewelry. Most pieces are non-precious metals with resin, glass and crystal used in place of genuine pearls and gemstones. Some designs incorporate real leather or fabrics like velvet. You'll find a variety of Chanel jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertDecember 4, 2023To know what costume jewelry is worth money, one option is to conduct some online research. You can read articles on trusted websites to find out what types of pieces and makers are highly sought after. Another approach is to peruse the sold sections of reputable online platforms to get a feel for the selling prices of different types of jewelry. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse assortment of jewelry from some of the world's top dealers.
Read More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Why Is Italy Such a Hotbed of Cool Design?
Patrizio Chiarparini of Brooklyn’s Duplex gallery sheds light on the lasting legacy of Italy’s postwar furniture boom.
Eileen Gray’s Famed Cliffside Villa in the South of France Is Returned to Its Modernist Glory
After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.
12 Calming Spaces Inspired by Japanese Design
From cherry-blossom-adorned walls paired with glamorous lighting to wood-paneled ceilings above checkerboard-patterned chairs, these 12 spaces seamlessly blend Eastern and Western aesthetics.
Eileen Gray’s Deco Designs Launched Modernism. That Was Just the Beginning
Decades after her death, appreciation for the legendary designer and architect's work continues to flourish.
Harvey Probber Was the Godfather of Modern Modular Seating
The forward-thinking designer is finally getting his due.
20 Artfully Crafted Mirrors to Frame Your Reflection
In "Object Permanence 4," on view at the 1stdibs Gallery, Emma Holland Denvir and Leah Ring have brought together pieces that range from polished to playful.
Roberto Burle Marx’s Bold Brazilian Landscape Design Comes to New York
The New York Botanical Garden, in the Bronx, has mounted a multifaceted show honoring the polymath modernist's legacy, including new work by contemporary landscape maker Raymond Jungles.