Everyone, man, woman and child, has at least some costume jewelry. This is any jewelry item not composed of high grade gem stones and precious metals. So the only thing that do not qualify as costume jewelry are diamond and platinum rings, 18 kt gold cuff links, emerald earrings, etc. As for vintage, that seems to be anything over ten or twelve years old and no longer in fashion.

So all the cheap jewelry you bought for your mother when you were growing up count. She probably still has some of it. Ask and she will probably be glad to give it back to you to start your vintage costume jewelry collection. Once word gets around the family, other relatives will probably come forward with boxes of jewelry they do not wear any more and want to donate to you. These gifts may include necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, cufflinks, collar buttons, brooches, watch fobs, and other types of personal adornment. (Ask if you can keep the jewelry boxes as well. These are another cool collectible.) If the owner tells you the jewelry came in the box it is in, keep the box and contents together. It may not mater, in the end, but might also be the key to a higher value if you have the original packaging.

Value, you say? Yes, some of the costume jewelry of the past has value. Other collectors may be willing to buy or trade you for the items they are searching for or are interested in, while you can use jewelry you don’t want to keep to get other pieces you do want. There is at least one national/international club with newsletters and ways to exchange with other collectors: Vintage Fashion Costume Jewelry Newsletter & Club. The web site is: http://www.ajraefields.com/vfcjclub.html. There are other clubs and newsletters. See if there is one located near you, so you can attend meetings.

There are books about collectible jewelry published by companies that specialize in the collecting area. Other books and magazines may have articles about costume jewelry, either published at the time when it was made or more recently. You may be able to find these issues online or through a book search service connected to a book store specializing in older or out of print books.

So, now you have boxes of costume jewelry, books and magazines about costume jewelry, and a new hobby. Cool. Time to sort and identify, arrange according to materials, color, size, whatever seems useful. Join the club, get back issues of the newsletter, see what other people are looking for. Start a catalog of your collection: what the piece is, is it part of a set, what box did it come to you in, who gave it to you or where you bought it, any history you can get from the person you got it from, condition, and any comments you have. If you identify it in a book or magazine, note the bibliographical information as well. It is best to have a page for each item or set, so you can rearrange the catalog when needed.

Start checking out garage sales and estate sales for acquisitions. City-wide garage sales held in public areas and flea markets can also be sources for new jewelry, or someone who knows something about costume jewelry. Do not expect to find treasure no one else recognizes; this seldom happens. But you can spend happy hours talking to people about jewelry, and if you let them know what you are looking for, they will watch out for those pieces and let you know if they find anything. Be prepared with a business card with contact information and a list of your top priorities to help them remember you and what you want.

Prepare for fun and a new way of looking at everyone’s costume jewelry.

* * * New or vintage, amethyst necklaces are suitable for everyone. * * *

* * * Read about other vintage jewellery. * * *

* * * Music boxes often have a place to store special jewelry. * * *

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