Costume Jewelry Online

Archive for the ‘Earrings’ Category

Vintage Costume Jewelry Earrings

Are you on the hunt for costume jewelry earrings? It's fun, isn't it! But are there things you should know before you buy that pair you're eyeing? Yes indeed, so let's talk about it.

What Kind of Vintage Earrings to Buy?

As I mentioned in the costume jewelry brooch post, you first want to determine the "why" in buying them -- to wear, for an investment, etc.

Costume Jewelry Earrings by Lisner (Click to Enlarge)

Let's say you want to wear them, as well as keep them for an investment. The first thing to consider is that the vast majority of vintage costume jewelry earrings are either clipback or screwback -- not pierced.

It's really only the newest of the vintage costume jewelry earrings that are pierced. So if you want to stay in the 1940s through mid 1960's (the most collectible time period), they very likely will be clipbacks or screwbacks.

So with that in mind, you need to make sure that the clipbacks are tight and the screwbacks still have the threads in working order. Otherwise, you're just as likely to lose the earrings instead of safely wear them.

Also keep in mind if you have metal allergies, the possibility of irritation. Much vintage costume jewelry was made with "pot metal" or "white metal", which usually doesn't contain nickel (the most common metal irritant). However, unless you snag some from the 1943 through 1948 timeframe, they won't be sterling silver, either. Or karat gold.

Costume Jewelry Earrings Material

Rhinestone Earrings by Kramer (Click to Enlarge)

The next is what kinds of materials -- should you get pearls or enamel or rhinestones or...you get the idea.

As always, rhinestones lead the pack, as far as being collectible. The ones packed with "bling" are the most sought-after, but don't discount the ones with just a moderate bling quotient. They are collectable as well, and tend to go with more occasions.

Pearls are certainly up there in collectibility, although not as high as the rhinestones. Still, there are some absolutely gorgeous vintage earrings out there that feature pearls. And if you're a pearl kind of gal, then you will be in heaven! Just remember that the vast majority of pearls are faux pearls, not cultivated, when it comes to vintage costume jewelry.

Plastic (thermoset) earrings are also popular -- there were a lot made in the 1950's and 1960's. These don't command a high a price, but if you find the earrings, keep a watchful eye out for the matching bracelet, necklace and/or brooch -- a set is normally worth more than the sum of its parts.

Enamels are a possibility, but just be sure that the enamels are in excellent condition. The most collectible of the enamels are from the 1930s through 1950s.

Unadorned costume jewelry earrings (those without rhinestones, pearls, etc.) are the least expensive and easily found. If you go this route, look for sets instead of just the earrings. The unadorned earrings by themselves aren't terribly sought-after, except maybe if they are a book piece. However, they are useful for building your beginning collection!

Buying Vintage Costume Jewelry Earrings

All the usual places are spots where you can buy vintage costume jewelry earrings. Online, flea markets, garage sales, estate sales -- all are fertile ground. The trick is to both know what you're looking for, but to be able to recognize a real buy when you see it (like an old going for just a few dollars). This where you need some reference books, like the ones in the beginning your collection post).

Of course my favorite hunting ground is ebay, because I can find a wide array of earrings of all kinds at my fingertips. Below are just a few examples of some of the that are available on ebay. Enjoy the hunt!