I tend to think of my fine jewelry as everyday, or at least in rotation, and very personal, whereas costume jewelry I think of as fashion and fun. I'm not a person who spends a ton on clothes, purses, or shoes, so I wouldn't spend a ton on costume jewelry. It's hard to explain but to me it's like fine jewelry is symbolic and deeply meaningful, whereas my costume pieces are "just" accessories. If you're a fashionista who spends a lot on dressing, then it makes perfect sense to me to spend on costume too as part of your outfit. Do what makes your heart sing!
Is costume jewelry worthless?
- Thread starter verychic555
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I think the decision on whether to spend 1500 on costume versus solid metals/fine jewelry also comes down to whether you are a collector or just want something you really like for personal use. Antique paste jewelry has a true collectors' market. There is some more information here:
http://simonteakle.com/antique-paste-jewelry-back-in-vogue/
http://simonteakle.com/antique-paste-jewelry-back-in-vogue/
It depends on what do you mean by worth?
If you are talking about re-sell value, non-branded fine jewellery has very poor resell value compared to the branded. But branded pieces carry a huge mark up to start with. Branded costume jewellery like Chanel, or even Swarovski, has relatively good resell value but a lot of it depends on the style. It's better if it's a classic style.
If you are buying something that you want to enjoy, then buy what you love and don't worry too much about resell values. I would collect some classic everyday fine jewellery pieces and some fun Chanel pieces.
Good luck building your jewellery wardrobe!
If you are talking about re-sell value, non-branded fine jewellery has very poor resell value compared to the branded. But branded pieces carry a huge mark up to start with. Branded costume jewellery like Chanel, or even Swarovski, has relatively good resell value but a lot of it depends on the style. It's better if it's a classic style.
If you are buying something that you want to enjoy, then buy what you love and don't worry too much about resell values. I would collect some classic everyday fine jewellery pieces and some fun Chanel pieces.
Good luck building your jewellery wardrobe!
This isn't true. If you are talking about costume jewelry made in the last few years, even some branded designer pieces do not hold value. But there is a vast and valuable market of pieces some might describe as costume (including some sterling silver pieces) that are substantially more valuable than gold pieces by virtue of their design, rarity, age or a combination of those and other factors. I think there is a real sense of snobbism (not directing this at the OP, the person quoted, or anyone in particular!) that is something isn't a design visibly made by a particular jeweller, or a brand name, than it has no "value." My personal preference: I tend to shun most pieces that are very popular by virtue of the fact that I would rather express my style in a more individual way. Antique and vintage pieces allow me to do that more easily.
And when it comes to all jewelry, value is very subjective and can be affected by a lot more than the materials involved. I go to a lot of antique shows and markets and tables are flooded with really mediocre gold pieces that may hold some value based on gold weight. Of course, the same can be said of costume pieces - lots with little design or other merit. But to class any type of accessory as "worthless" is a pretty broad value judgment that doesn't hold water.
The bold part you quoted my post was talking about fine jewellery, not costume jewellery at all. e.g. A no-name modern gold bangle will have very little resell value compared to a Cartier Love bangle.
I don't really have any costume jewellery.
All my pieces tend to be bigger pieces nowadays which in my 20s I would have considered as non every day pieces as well. But no matter how much I pay for them - one thing I try to always remember, that these pieces are only "worthwhile" to me and "worthless" (or at deep discounts) to others.
So I would advise - buy what you like and would wear. They are "worth it" if you love them and wear them. Never mind what they are worth to others. It's your jewellery and your view that counts.
Also, remember that your tastes may also change over time.
All my pieces tend to be bigger pieces nowadays which in my 20s I would have considered as non every day pieces as well. But no matter how much I pay for them - one thing I try to always remember, that these pieces are only "worthwhile" to me and "worthless" (or at deep discounts) to others.
So I would advise - buy what you like and would wear. They are "worth it" if you love them and wear them. Never mind what they are worth to others. It's your jewellery and your view that counts.
Also, remember that your tastes may also change over time.
I love what you said. I agree that now some of my fine pieces are "wearable" when in the past I thought of them as special occasion.
Thank you for your post. Definitely didn't mean to look down on costume jewelry when I used the word "worthless" as I own fine and costume jewelry. All what I was trying to do is ask if spending that much money on non real jewelry is a good idea, and if it is "worth" the money. I don't want to spend a ton on high end costume jewelry, just maybe buy a few because the design appeals to me.
I do understand that costume is not everyone's cup of tea, for various reasons. I personally would not spend anything on contemporary Chanel jewelry - I don't feel that it's particularly well made, and I don't like wearing logos (and they are in a lot of the Chanel pieces). Now, Chanel vintage jewelry by Robert Goosens and the Gripoix vintage poured glass is perfection. Also priced fairly high. I feel as though most of today's designer costume pieces fall into the "don't buy" category. If you are going for a particular look they embody, you can often find it for far less and not feel guilty about spending it to jazz up an outfit. And Coco Chanel was one of the first mainstream proponents of mixing high/low in terms of jewelry, wearing her (very expensive) Verdura cuffs and other real jewellery with her own costume pieces. Which, ironically, would now be worth a small fortune just by virtue of their provenance.
I can use my Tiffany Schlumberger 16 stone ring as an example of worth/value. I bought mine at an estate shop for about $4000. At the time, it was selling for just under $10k. It could probably have been made by a jeweller for $2-3k at the time. So what is it's worth/value? Which price? Jewelry worth and value are very mutable things.
I also agree with others who say buyers should (and do) determine what is "worth" it to them to spend on. I would rather have a fabulous piece of vintage costume for $1500 than an average piece of gold that doesn't really stand out in terms of design. And as most people know, you can't really recoup your money on gold unless it's a significant piece or has provenance or some other factor adding actual dollar value. While a Cartier Love will retain a chunk of its value, it's rare that anyone will recoup the total amount of what they paid (unless you hold on to a piece for a long time through multiple price increases). The vast majority of jewelry is not an investment so again ... buy what you like, what fits your budget and your style. And wear and enjoy it.
Thank you all for your opinions. Like I said and pearlsnjeans also had the same idea, most of my jewelry is not for everyday. After living here in the US for many years, I developed a different style from the one women of my age have. I can't sell my pieces because my mom would kill me
I understand that costume is not as durable. You had the same idea as me again when you said you love your earrings because they are Chanel. I'd love to own a few Chanel pieces. Maybe a small collection of up to 10 or so items max. I don't want to put too much money in non precious jewelry!
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I think some of the Contemporary Chanel costume jewelry like earrings have great quality and design so they're not all bad. If you decide to go for a pair of costume earrings from Chanel, choose a design that is classic and easily incorporated with your fashion style and/or other pieces of jewelry.
If you have a particular SA at Chanel whom you have a repertoire with, maybe you can work with them finding you your first pair of Chanel earrings. Try going for a pair of Chanel earrings in the price range of $450 and see how that makes you feel. If you like them, maybe you can go up to the higher price points.
My most favorite pair are these ones:
They can be mistaken for vintage. They're quite simple.
In general it's best not to think of either "real" or costume as an investment but a labor of love. Also best not to think of jewelry as heirloom because one never knows what kids/grandkids will actually want and wear!
(Caveat: I know this is less true in many Asian countries, where gold karat used is higher, mark-up is lower, and thus resale value is higher.]
(Caveat: I know this is less true in many Asian countries, where gold karat used is higher, mark-up is lower, and thus resale value is higher.]
I've recently inherited a lot of jewelry from my mother, some of it real, some of it costume. Some of the vintage costume pieces are really lovely, and I love them as a way to dress us an outfit (especially brooches).
I won't spend on new costume jewelry unless the design just sings to me (e.g. Chanel's Cuba brooches) or the quality is impeccable (Hermes bracelets, which use precious metal plating).
Also seconding that diamonds are generally not very valuable! I won't spend money on those.
I won't spend on new costume jewelry unless the design just sings to me (e.g. Chanel's Cuba brooches) or the quality is impeccable (Hermes bracelets, which use precious metal plating).
Also seconding that diamonds are generally not very valuable! I won't spend money on those.
if my budget wass $1500 it'd be real. costume jewelry should cost no more than $100. imho