Given the number of presents a girl or woman gets over a lifetime, there is bound to be costume jewelry. If the recipient values the relationship, she will probably keep the jewelry as a keepsake even if the jewelry style is not hers. So most women have a drawer full of costume jewelry. Offer to take the unwanted vintage costume jewelry off of their hands, and you will have a costume jewelry collection instantly, especially if you commit to not discarding the lame, weak or ugly. The owner knows their unwanted jewelry is going to a good home, and you get to sort and classify, research and look for hidden treasures.
Rhinestones, my favorite.
Divide the jewelry first by those that seem to be in the original packaging. You want to keep the jewelry in the original packaging if possible. The packaging may make it easier to identify the jewelry line/manufacturer.Then you should decide if you want to look at the jewelry by type, like bracelets, earrings, sets, etc., or by the materials it is made from. You could also sort by color, formal/informal, or size (small/delicate, medium, large/robust). There is a lot of fun in this step. Try to keep sets together, or reunite pieces that got separated over time.
Beads, my other favorite.
Once you have a feel for the jewelry in the mix, it is time to do research. As is mentioned in many of these pages, there is book time involved. Look for books and catalogs about the jewelry of the types you have. These can be found in some libraries, and a used bookstore may have materials. There are also materials available at auctions (as well as more jewelry) and online. Once book store owners and antique store owners know about your interest, they will let you know when they have something they think you might be interest ed. This is going to take time, but that makes this a good subject for a hobby. With enough time and research, you can become the expert in the area of you choice, and write your own web site about what you know.
Bangle bracelets make a really interesting collectible.
So, volunteer to give a new home to unwanted costume jewelry and watch the material flow in. You will also be given new jewelry by the ones in your immediate circle, and you can take care of these from the beginning. Make notes of manufacturer, retail outlet, date and price (if the giver will tell you) and keep the information in a central place, with perhaps a copy in the box with the jewelry. This will provide value to the jewelry itself if you decide to sell it.
A pearl set. Keep the various pieces together.
A costume jewelry collection can lead to other areas for collecting. A few pieces of Native American jewelry can be the beginning of a collections of First Nations collectibles. Or collecting may lead to a new hobby not connected (directly) to collecting, like collecting semi-precious beads leading to the desire to make your own and the purchase of lapidary equipment and rough material to work with.
A beautiful inlaid Native American bangle bracelet.
Post script: If you can get friends and family to give you more valuable jewelry on the promise that you will give them a good home, take it. Collecting something with its own intrinsic value is not against the rules, but they are unlikely subjects for a new home. But it never hurts to let it be known you have a collection in the making and are taking all contributions.
Rings make a great collectible.
Let people know you are collecting, and be prepared for the incoming collectible jewelry.
* * * Marcasite jewelry has been made for hundreds of years. Keep an eye out for these little beauties. * * *
* * * If you are interested in buying your own, learn about engraved silver bangles. * * *
* * * Collect jewelry boxes to house your costume jewelry. * * *
The images on this post are from Stock Xchnge.
Go to the Table of Contents to see all the topics covered so far.
Click American collectibles to go to the latest entry on this site.