Telling fine jewelry from collectible costume pieces — and why both matter.
The best vintage costume jewelry now competes seriously with fine jewelry at auction, and knowing which makers and materials to chase makes all the difference.
The best costume jewelry was built to fool the eye, so separating it from fine jewelry means learning to test weight, metal, and stones rather than looks.
A maker's mark turned disposable fashion jewelry into a documented design category, and signed costume pieces now anchor an entire collecting field.
The first fully synthetic plastic became one of the twentieth century's most collectible jewelry materials, and testing it correctly is a skill every collector needs.
Glass paste and rhinestone jewelry has fooled admirers for three centuries, and understanding how it's made explains both its charm and its lasting value.
Born from mid-century film glamour and Old World revival styling, Hollywood Regency jewelry remains one of the boldest, most theatrical categories a collector can pursue.
Online bidding, algorithmic photography, and a new generation of buyers have quietly transformed how costume jewelry is bought and sold at auction.