Fabulous Fakes is a term used for Antique American Costume Jewelry
The roaring 20’s saw the birth of costume jewelry in the United States. Fabulous Fakes is a term used for Antique American Costume Jewelry. It is generally fashioned of sterling silver, gold plated metals, colorful glass stone as well as stunning rhinestones. Many designers such as Miriam Haskell began producing their lines of jewelry styles near the mid-twenties. Meanwhile during the 20’s and 30’s, many immigrants from Europe began producing their own lines of superb jewelry styles in places such as New York, Chicago and Providence, Rhode Island.
In the 1940’s Hollywood celebrities began wearing costume jewelry in films as well as in their everyday lives, this helped increase the popularity of this type of jewelry. Joseff of Hollywood is one of the most well know designers of such items, while other popular designers include, Nettie Rosenstein, Eisenberg Originals, Hattie Carnegie as well as Napier and Ciner. The most difficult to find are pieces that date from the 1930’s and into the mid-fifties. While the most desirable of all, are pieces that are signed by the designer or bear hallmarks as they are the most valuable to possess.
People coming on sports travel also showed interest in Victorian jewelry that depicted sporting themes as men and women pursued the sporting subjects. Slowly, intaglio crystals were reverse painted and exhibited hunting themes such as foxes, pheasant, rabbits, horses and dogs into the forms of jewelry. This collection also included buttons, brooches, stickpins, cuff links, pendants and watch fobs. Even today, the Victorian jewelry has its recognition and rules the hearts of many.
