Art Deco Costume Jewelry - Why Is It So Collectable?

Some links from this site lead to third parties who pay us a commission if you buy something.  This allows us to keep providing the information on this site free of charge! 

For collectors of Art Deco Costume Jewelry, the period between the two world wars was a hugely productive time and there are many wonderful pieces to collect. 

And let's face it, good design never goes out of fashion. 

Designers such as Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli had made costume jewelry fashionable and wearable by all. Chromium, paste, diamante, glass, and marcasite were just a few of the materials used to create Art Deco costume jewellery to complement the new fashions of the the fun loving flappers.


Rhinestone or Paste Bow Brooch
Vintage Glass Bead Earrings


Expensive enamel could be imitated by the new techniques of painting on metal.


Art Deco Yellow Enamel Look Geometric Brooch


Bakelite and Celluloid
Costume Jewelry

The early plastics such as Bakelite and Celluloid came into their own not just in imitating ivory, horn or tortoiseshell but in a range of brilliant colours which did not try to hide these materials for what they were. They came to express a luxury of their own.

Why Bakelite Jewelry is So Incredibly Collectible

Is Celluloid Jewelry the Poor Man's Bakelite?


Bakelite Philadelphia BraceletBakelite Philadelphia Bangle
Celluloid EarringsCelluloid Flower and Leaf Earrings


Art Deco Costume Jewelry Designers

Art Deco Geometric Brooch


A whole host of designers, particularly in the United States, grew out of the demand for affordable costume jewelry. 

They embraced the Art Deco geometric, oriental and Egyptian designs of the day, and made quality pieces which are highly collectable. 


These makers are well-known for the quality of their stones:

  • Eisenberg
  • Hollycraft
  • Weiss
  • Bogoff

These makers are well-known for their excellent Art Deco Designs:

  • Trifari
  • Danecraft
  • Danecraft
  • Kramer
  • Monet
  • Hobe
  • Symmetalic
  • Coro


Miriam Haskell built a large clientele of rich celebrities for her original handmade jewelry which was produced in limited quantities and is therefore very collectable today.  She used some of the best Czech and Austrian stone and glass beads and Japanese simulated pearls in abstract or floral designs.


Art Deco Glass Brooch with Faux Pearl Drops


Where to Buy

In collecting vintage costume jewelry today, there is a huge choice out there, so it is relatively easy to find pieces which are still wearable and in excellent condition.  Look for great design, bright stones and good condition. 

If a piece is signed its going to be worth more, but there are also many great unsigned pieces around.  An enormous amount of jewelry was exported from Czechoslovakia between the wars, and the quality of the glass in these pieces is usually excellent. 

Read why Czech Costume Jewelry is some of the best quality around. . .

My favourite place to buy these days is Etsy.  Check out what's available now.  

> > Costume Jewelry


Etsy has a surprisingly good range of Art Deco furniture, interior decor, art and prints, 1920s and 1930s fashion, accessories, jewellery and Bakelite.  Click the banner to explore.  



Join our Facebook Page so you never miss a thing!



Share this page:
Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.


Like this Page
search engine by freefind