Costume Jewelry Industry in Europe and China

pieces produced by a range of designers. If you admired a necklace worn by Bette
Davis in The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex, you could buy a copy from Joseff
of Hollywood, who made the original. Stars such as Vivien Leigh, Elizabeth Taylor and
Jane Russell appeared in adverts for the pieces and the availability of the collections
in shops such as Woolworth made it possible for ordinary women to own and wear
such jewelry.
Coco Chanel greatly popularized the use of faux jewelry in her years as a fashion
designer, bringing costume jewelry to life with gold and faux pearls. Kenneth Jay Lane
has since the 1960s been known for creating unique pieces for Jackie Onassis,
Elizabeth Taylor, Diana Vreeland, and Audrey Hepburn. He is probably best known for
his three-strand faux pearl necklace worn by Barbara Bush to her husband's inaugural
ball.
In many instances, high-end fashion jewelry has achieved a "collectible" status, and
increases in value over time. Today, there is a substantial secondary market for
vintage fashion jewelry. The main collecting market is for 'signed pieces', that is
pieces which have the maker's mark, usually stamped on the reverse. Amongst the
most sought after are Miriam Haskell, Coro, Crown Trifari and Sphinx. However, there
is also demand for good quality 'unsigned' pieces, especially if they are of an unusual
design.
Designer brands in Europe
Alex Monroe
British jewellery designer Alex Monroe trained at Sir John Cass School Of Art in
London, and uses nature to inspire his whimsical, intricately beautiful jewellery. He
established his brand under his name in
1986, his core aspirations remain
unchanged: to make great quality,
wearable jewellery, which is originally
designed and well priced.
Nature has always been Alex’s greatest
inspiration. Whether from travels in
Pakistan, walks along the hedgerows of
Suffolk or even the Tuscan hills, his
designs always remain inherently
English. Alex always makes the original by hand in sterling silver, which gives his work
its distinctive signature of such exquisite detail. He uses his skills to craft jewellery that
is slightly quirky, sometimes cute, but always very feminine. The jewellery is both
pretty and humorous, but consistently wearable.
Japan has long been a important market for Alex Monroe, and they even have a