Monet jewelry is collectible costume jewelry. The Monet Company actually marked some of their jewelry, which is uncommon in the world of costume jewelry, and one reason it is a recognized collectible. The maker thought enough of its own reputation to identify its product even though it is not fine jewelry. Often the identification was on the presentation box, and thus, much Monet jewelry is not identified as such because the box and jewelry parted company. You also have to worry about non-Monet jewelry in a Monet box. As it is identifiable, Monet jewelry is worth a little more to a collector and therefore on the secondary market. Some Monet jewelry has the name inscribed on the clasp, and I have seen small metal hang tags on this jewelry as well.
Why would you want to collect Monet costume jewelry? First, because it is marked (in some cases) and the company thought enough of it to do so. The vast sea of costume jewelry was cheap enough the makers did not want their name on it. Some has become collectible anyway, due to style or inherent quality, especially as less and less time and effort are spent on costume jewelry by most manufacturers. Anyone who signs their work deserves some consideration for that fact. In addition, the Money jewelry is well made. It just is not made from precious metals and real jewels.
Monet jewelry was sold at the jewelry counters of department stores. It was usually on the counter and not in the cases, indicating its status as costume jewelry. At Christmas time, tables of boxed gift jewelry were staged in the aisles for last minute and clueless shoppers. As far as I know, these display still go up at Thanksgiving. Take a look this fall and see if your department store sells Monet. You can buy the jewelry in the box, keep it there, and start a collection with it intact. Add to the collection every year, and in time you will have something to show guests, even if it is not “precious”.
One of the interesting things about collecting is trying to decide what you can collect now, buying it new and preserving the packaging, that will be a good collectible in the future. Of, course, there is some difference of opinion about what “good” means, as well as those who have very limited opinions about what constitutes a collectible. Nevertheless, beginning a collection while the items are still available in mint condition from the primary retail source is a nice thing. But you have to bet on what will become desirable in the future. Or not care, and collect what you want (always the wisest choice, because you are doing this for you, remember). You can even retain the price tags and sales slips to make the collection even more interesting as a sign of values at the time of purchase.
Monet jewelry is a good costume jewelry collectible. You can specialize in necklaces, bracelets or earrings, or in sets, or in the holiday jewelry produced for Christmas.
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