Costume Jewelry: History, Halloween & Whimsical Elegance
What Is Costume Jewelry (and How Is It Different from Fine Jewelry)?
“Costume jewelry” refers to pieces made from non-precious materials designed to complement fashion, as opposed to fine jewelry made of precious metals and gems. In practice, costume jewelry uses affordable elements – brass or copper instead of gold, sparkling glass or crystal instead of diamonds – to mimic the look of fine jewelry at a fraction of the cost.
These playful imitators aren’t made to last generations, but they allow wearers to indulge in glamorous styles without the hefty price tag. Fine jewelry is prized for its intrinsic material value and durability, while costume pieces are all about stylish self-expression and fun. Both have their place in a jewelry lover’s wardrobe, but costume jewelry’s charm lies in its creativity and accessibility.
Twentieth-Century Sparkle: A Brief History of Costume Jewelry
Though imitation jewels have been around for centuries (the term “costume jewelry” itself was coined in the 1920s), it was in the early 20th century that costume jewelry truly rose to prominence. Visionary couturiers like Coco Chanel boldly mixed faux pearls with real ones and made elegant fake gems à la mode, erasing the stigma of “paste” jewelry. Chanel’s 1920s collections proved that rhinestones and glass beads could be chic, paving the way for others to embrace the look.
By Hollywood’s golden age, costume jewelry was shining just as brightly as the real thing. In fact, many fashion icons and movie stars adored high-quality costume pieces. Marilyn Monroe, for example, famously sang “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” draped in dazzling jewels that were actually costume pieces – she wore only one real diamond in the film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes! Off-screen, she (and plenty of fellow starlets) often preferred the elegance of fine costume jewelry to genuine gems.
Style icons like Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis even commissioned costume replicas of their favorite fine jewels (Kennedy had a faux version of her Van Cleef & Arpels necklace made by designer Kenneth Jay Lane). From Joan Crawford to the Duchess of Windsor Wallis Simpson, glamorous women amassed collections of beautifully crafted “fakes” that rivaled any royal treasure.
The artistry of designers like Miriam Haskell (one of the premier costume jewelers of the 1920s–60s) elevated costume jewelry to an art form. No longer mere knock-offs, these pieces had their own allure. In 1955, a U.S. judge even ruled that costume jewelry designs were “works of art,” deserving of intellectual property protection.
Vintage costume jewelry from these decades – if kept in good condition – is now highly sought after by collectors, proving that its stylish legacy endures.
Playful Glamour for Halloween and Beyond
It’s no coincidence we call it costume jewelry. The term harkens back to theater and dressing up – legend has it that Broadway impresario Florenz Ziegfeld asked a jeweler to create dazzling fake jewels for his showgirl costumes, birthing the concept of “costume jewelry” for stage use.
To this day, Halloween and other dress-up occasions let costume jewelry truly shine. During spooky season, jewelry lovers raid their jewelry boxes (and local vintage shops) for pieces that add drama and fun to their outfits. After all, Halloween is about transformation and self-expression – the perfect chance to drape yourself in extravagant baubles without fear of overdoing it.
Whether it’s a pair of ornate Victorian-style earrings for your witch ensemble or a chunky “Old Hollywood” rhinestone necklace to channel a movie star, costume jewelry brings a bit of magic to any costume. And because these pieces are more affordable and not as fragile as fine jewelry, you can dance the night away or trick-or-treat with no worries. In fact, sparkly glass stones and bold acrylic gems can look stunning under flickering jack-o’-lantern light, all while being practical for partying and play.
From gothic chokers for vampires to whimsical brooches of ghosts or black cats, there’s a piece of costume jewelry for every Halloween mood. It’s all about embracing a playful spirit – letting your accessories become part of the fantasy and fun.
Vintage Whimsy and Personal Style
One of the joys of costume jewelry is how it lets individual style flourish, especially when you mix in vintage or vintage-inspired pieces. Mid-century costume jewelry, in particular, has a distinctive whimsy and character that modern jewelry lovers appreciate.
These pieces often feature imaginative motifs and craftsmanship you might not expect. Think of retro rhinestone brooches shaped like starbursts, butterflies, or even starfish – the kind of “Seastae”-like designs that bring a touch of oceanic fantasy to an outfit. (Designers such as Miriam Haskell were known for incorporating seashells, coral, and nature themes into elegant pieces, proving that whimsical motifs could still be utterly chic.) Vintage costume jewels frequently boast a level of detail and quality that belies their non-precious materials – as collectors note, many antique costume pieces were made with workmanship and materials on par with fine jewelry of their era.
Wearing a cherished vintage costume piece can feel like wearing a small piece of history or art. It’s a way to celebrate personal style by blending eras and influences: maybe a 1950s rhinestone cocktail ring paired with a modern dress, or a 1970s enamel flower pin on your coat lapel. Each piece, whether inherited from Grandma’s jewelry box or discovered at an estate sale, tells a story. And even new pieces designed in a vintage style carry that sense of nostalgia and individuality.
In an age of fast fashion, choosing a quirky vintage costume necklace or a lovingly crafted retro-style bracelet is a statement of taste – a nod to the glamour of bygone times and an embrace of your own unique flair.
Fun, Meaningful, and Elegantly You – A Subtle Shine
At the end of the day, costume jewelry proves that jewelry doesn’t have to be expensive to be enchanting. These pieces may be playful and fanciful, but they often become deeply meaningful to their wearers – as mementos of a great vintage find, a family heirloom with sentimental value, or simply a token of one’s personal creativity. They invite us to experiment with style: one day you’re wearing a dramatic Art Deco-style crystal necklace to a costume party, the next you’re pinning a whimsical vintage brooch on your work blazer for a touch of personality. Costume jewelry brings joy, confidence, and a bit of wink to any occasion, from Halloween revelries to everyday outings.
If you’re feeling inspired to add some vintage-style sparkle to your own jewelry collection, we invite you to explore Hauser’s Jewelers selection of vintage-inspired and estate pieces. After all, the beauty of costume jewelry is that it lets you celebrate your style – with elegance, imagination, and a dash of seasonal whimsy. Why not enjoy the thrill of a gorgeous “costume” piece that’s so you? Your next treasure might just be waiting in our jewel box, ready to bring your wardrobe to life with its fun and timeless charm.
Sources:
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Chaille, François. The Book of Tiaras and Crowns. Thames & Hudson, 2000.
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Eisen, Gustavus A. The Jewels of the Madonna: And Other Italian Legends. Macmillan, 1904.
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Fasel, George. “A Brief History of Costume Jewelry.” Vintage Fashion Guild, 2021.
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Hauser's Jewelers. Estate & Vintage Jewelry Collection. https://hausersjewelers.com/collections/estate-jewelry
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Kennedy, Ruby. Hollywood Jewels: Costumes, Collections, and Creations. Film and Fashion Press, 2017.
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Lane, Kenneth Jay. Faking It: The Art of Imaginative Jewelry. Abrams, 2004.
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Martin, Judith. Style and Substance: Jewelry in America. Smithsonian Institution Press, 2002.
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Mazer, Alice. “The Charm of Vintage Costume Jewelry.” Antique Trader, October 2022.
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Nurenberg, Christina. Dazzling Disguises: Jewelry in Theater and Costume Design. Costume Institute Journal, 2016.
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Wolfe, Janet. The Rhinestone Revolution: The Rise of American Costume Jewelry. Deco Publishing, 1999.
