Costume jewelry is routinely sold in lots, which are large groups of mixed styles and pieces, from necklaces to bracelets to earrings. For sellers, listing a large collection of inexpensive costume jewelry is preferable to auctioning each item one at a time. For buyers, purchasing costume jewelry by the lot has numerous appeals. For example, some people make new pieces of jewelry out of old ones, so lots offer these buyers an opportunity to acquire a great deal of inventory in a single transaction. Other buyers scour costume jewelry lots for high-quality items to repair or refurbish. Whatever the reason, lots are generally sold by the total number of pieces or by weight.

During the 1920s, costume jewelry began infiltrating the mainstream fashion world thanks to the spread of affordable materials and improved production methods. Coco Chanel’s line of eye-catching jewelry transformed the public image of such fashion accessories. Instead of symbolizing wealth or family heritage, Chanel’s jewelry were designed to project a specific aesthetic or sense of style.

Companies like Trifari and Miriam Haskell quickly followed Chanel’s lead, and the market for costume jewelry exploded. Meanwhile, out in Hollywood, the over-the-top, gaudy, fake gems made by a designer named Joseff gave the genre glamour. Film stars such as Mae West, Joan Crawford, and Marlene Dietrich wore costume jewelry both on screen and off...

Women with middle-class incomes were now able to flaunt their fashionable taste without breaking the bank. Costume jewelry was cheap enough that a brooch could be purchased to go with a certain color hat, or a bracelet bought to match a favorite dress. By the 1940s and '50s, it was not uncommon for women to own large collections of this “cocktail” jewelry. These personal collections are often sold today as costume jewelry lots.

For serious vintage seekers, the thrill of a costume jewelry lot comes from discovering the valuable hidden gems among the more commonplace pieces. As many collectors know, the workmanship of costume jewelry can be on par with that of fine jewelry, particularly if it's made by reputable designers like Ciner or Hobe. Those seeking signed pieces by Kenneth Jay Lane, Juliana, or Coro sometimes find such treasures within an undifferentiated bulk of costume jewelry.

About our sources | Got something to add?

▼ Expand to read the full article ▼

Interviews & Articles

Carole Tanenbaum on Costume Jewelry's 'Wow' Factor

My husband and I have many collections. We were in London at one point in the ’80s, and I saw a fabulous collection of vintage cos… [more]

Christie Romero on Differences Between Fine and Costume Jewelry Over the Decades

I started out with general antiques and collectibles... I was a dealer for a while and bought and sold all kinds of things. Gradua… [more]



Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

Researching Costume Jewelry

Researching Costume Jewelry

Jewelry lovers, venture through this amazing database of vintage jewelry articles, catalogs, and brochures, as well… [read review or visit site]

Emerald City Vintage Costume Jewelry

Emerald City Vintage Costume Jewelry

It looks like we're not in Kansas anymore with Elizabeth Rowlands' site on vintage costume jewelry from the 1940s a… [read review or visit site]

Collecting Costume Jewelry

Collecting Costume Jewelry

Carol Bell's simple but informative site focuses on photographs of brooches, bracelets, pendants, and pins, with an… [read review or visit site]

Morning Glory Antiques and Jewelry

Morning Glory Antiques and Jewelry

Jewelry collectors, feast your eyes on this internet gem! It's a goldmine of jewelry information featuring all styl… [read review or visit site]

All About Jewels Dictionary

All About Jewels Dictionary

This incredible reference dictionary on jewelry, from Enchantedlearning.com, is both beautiful and comprehensive. S… [read review or visit site]

Cathy Gordon's Jewelry Gallery

Cathy Gordon's Jewelry Gallery

With its vast galleries featuring clear images of jewelry and style, this site really covers it all! Divided up by … [read review or visit site]



Clubs & Associations: Costume Jewelry

Top eBay Auctions

Showing 60. See all 830 by  highest bidmost watchedcompleted
Vtg High End Lot Juliana,schiaparelli,schreiner,hollycraft,haskell,weiss,shermanVtg Estate Jewelry Huge Lot 1000's Pc Rhinestones 14k Gold Haskell Juliana .925Over 2000+ Vintage, Estate, Modern, Re-sale,14k, 10k, 925, Gold Nuggets Huge Lot70 Gorgeous Vintage Rhinestone & More Jewelry Lot Some SignedVintage Rhinestone Juliana Jewelry Lot Hattie Carnegie, Lisner, Coro, Sets + NrHigh End Vtg Rhinestone Jewelry Lot Beverly Hills Estate 106 PiecesLot 160+ Pc Vintage Rhinestone Jewelry Weis, Kenneth Lane Tammey Jewels KrementzJewelry Lot- Rings Marked Huge 230 Pc Vintage Rhinestone Designer Jewelry LotHuge Lot 500 Pieces 20+lbs All Wear Many Signed Great Vintage No Junk BeautifulHuge Lot 180+ Pcs Vtg Estate Jewelry (10+lbs!! W/o Box) Necklaces,pins Jewelery50pc Vintage & Antique Jewelry Lot- Victorian-czech-necklace/bracelet/brooch/earOld Bakelite Bangle Jewelry Lot Spinach Butterscotch Rootbeer Cranberry Carved140 Pc. Vintage Rhinestone Jewelry Lot Wear Repair Harvest Some Designer Signed Victorian Lot 14k Solid Gold Bracelets Black Onyx Earrings Bracelets Coral SnakeBeautiful Big High End Estate Vintage Sterling Glass Rhinestone Jewelry Lot Di64Vintage To Modern Egyptian Style Jewelry Lot 83 PiecesHuge 6.5 Lbs Vintage Retro Now Estate Costume Jewelry Lot Wear Resale SetsLot Costume Vintage,victorian, Art Nouveau, 50's, Etc. 8 Pcs.Huge Eastern Star Jewelry Lot~sterling~seed Pearls~camphor~filigree~victorian~Huge Lot Vtg Jewelry & Accessories- Rhinestones Beads Gemstones & More 14+ Lbs106 Lot Vintage Cuff Link Tie Bar Clip Tack Collar Anson Swank Hickok ShieldsMy Grandma's Jewelry Junk Drawer Lot Crafts Silver 925 Gold? Unchecked VintageVintage Estate Jewelry Lot Rhinestones, Sterling 14k Weiss Coro Laguna Lisner ++Lot Of Vintage Estate Jewelry Including A Tiffany & Co. Ss & Gold Knot RingVintage Lot Of 20 Metal Enamel Flower Power Brooch Pins & Earrings 1950's 1960'sEstate Jewelry Vintage Lot Of 13.4 Pounds Of All Wearable Nice Condition JewelryVintage Japan Japanese Jade Carved Glass Pierced Findings Cabs Lot 144 Gross Vintage/modern Jewelry Lot Huge 77 Pieces Rhinestones Coro Sterling CoventryHeidi Daus Signed Lot Of Amethyst Watch, Earrings, Ring Swarovski Crystals .925Vintage Victorian Deco Lot Parts Repair Gold Filled Jade Pendants EarringsGorgeous! Large High End Vintage Glass Rhinestone Jewelry Sets Lot Fd117Vintage & Victorian Jewelry & Collectibles Lot - Hat Pins, Locket, Rings, RhinesVintage Lot Of Earrings, Necklaces, Pendants & Bracelets80 Flower Brooch Pin Earrings Vintage Costume Jewelry Estate Huge Big Lot EnamelHuge Vintage Jewelry Lot All Gold Tone With Many Signed Pcs. Chanel, Kjl, Hobe65+ Rhinestone Earrings Vintage Costume Jewelry Estate Huge Big Lot Screwback &Vintage/modern Jewelry Lot Huge 85 Piece Sterling Turquoise Copper Alpaca MexicoVintage Lot 20 Pc Metal Enamel Flower Power Brooch Pins & Earrings 1950's 1960's60+ Rhinestone Earrings Vintage Costume Jewelry Estate Huge Big Lot Clipon PiercCollectible Vintage Costume Jewelry Necklace Lot Of 15, From 30's-50'sHuge Estate Lot Of Over "100" Pcs. Of Beautiful Jewelry & And A Nice Jewelry BoxLarge Lot Costume Jewelry-rhinestone, Jelly Belly, Bling, Cameo Some Signed ++Vintage & Victorian Wear Repair & Parts Lot Necklace Bracelet PinsBig Lot 18pc Vtg 60s Metal & Enamel Flower Power Pins Orig By Robert Sandor Co.Antique Vintage Stick Pin Lot Of 12 Victorian Lapel Hat Pins With Boxes80+ Rings Vintage Costume Jewelry Estate Huge Big Lot Rhinestone Cocktail FashioVintage Antique Rhinestone Jewelry Lot - Brooch Ers Bracelet Necklace 50pcs L@@kSoft Sweet Pink Flower Power Lot 20 Pc Vintage Brooches Wedding Bridal Bouquet70 Rings Vintage Costume Jewelry Estate Huge Big Lot Rhinestone Cocktail FashionLovely Big Vintage Native Mexico Turquoise Sterling Mixed Ring Jewelry Lot Ol12360+ Rhinestone Earrings Vintage Costume Jewelry Estate Huge Big Lot Screwback PiVintage Christmas Pin / Brooch Lot - 35 Pins Lot Vintage Mid Century Enameled Metal Flower Pins Brooches Earrings~17 PcsVintage Lot 19 Enamel Flowers Brooch Pins Earrings 2 Single Neon Pink Green D15Huge Vintage Jewelry Lot To Modern Jewlery Signed And Unsigned 170 + Pieces65 Rings Vintage Costume Jewelry Estate Huge Big Lot Rhinestone Cocktail FashionHuge Job Lot Of Vintage Costume Jewellery, 43 X Items In Good Condition175+ Pc Mens Vintage Jewelry Lot 50 Pr Cufflinks 110+ Tie Clips Chains Must See Vtg Lot Joan Rivers Faberge Eggs Brooches Bracelets Watches Nos W Boxes 35 Piece