Costume Jewelry is the jewelry manufactured as embellishment for the majority of consumers to complement a particular fashionable outfit or “costume”. This type of jewelry came into being in the 1930s as a cheap, disposable accessory meant to be worn with a specific outfit. It was intended to be fashionable for a short period of time, out-date itself, and then be purchased again to fit with a new outfit or new fashion style. The industry is centered in the city of Providence, Rhode Island, which originally attracted fine jewelry artisans in the eighteenth century and is still known today as “The Historic Jewelry District.”
The term “costume jewelry” was first used in a 1933 article in the New Yorker. The development of the modern industry was directly influenced by European fashion designers like Elsa Schiaparelli and Coco Chanel. These designers made unique pieces that were obviously not real, and their only purpose was to complement an outfit. Many of the early examples of costume jewelry were very large replicas of fine jewelry, but the industry soon hired innovative artists who experimented with a variety of shapes, materials, and color palettes. Designers then, and now, were often allowed to experiment wildly and use imagination for their work, which was not at the time encouraged in the world of traditional fine jewelry.
Flower Garden Necklace $6.95
The Great Depression during the 1930s brought many new customers to the costume jewelry market, as those who lost fortunes could no longer afford fine jewelry. White metal became the most common material in inexpensive metal jewelry, but World War II restrictions on the use of metals were evident in the production of gold- and silver-plated pieces. In addition, the war caused American manufacturers to be cut off from their Czechoslovakian and Japanese suppliers of cut glass and pearls.
Turquoise Seed Bead Necklace $12.95
Starting in the 1950s, large companies starting selling their fashion jewelry to department stores, which was a new marketing strategy at the time. By the late 1990s, the government was beginning to play an increasingly significant role in the industry by pushing manufacturers to upgrade facilities in order to comply with environmental legislation.
Red Hot Pendant Necklace $8.95
Today still a billion-dollar industry, earrings are one of the biggest costume jewelry sellers, followed in volume by necklaces and pins. One-third of all costume jewelry purchased in the United States is purchased as a gift (Christmas, Mother’s Day, and Valentine’s Day are the best selling seasons). Two-thirds are purchased for individual use. Costume jewelry is also a popular product on home-shopping networks found on cable channels both in the United States and, increasingly, abroad.
To purchase fashion jewelry direct from the manufacturer go to http://www.domaineltd.com or for more information contact:
Laurie Plante
lplante@domaineconsumergoods.com
401-808-8733
