Posts Tagged ‘collecting’

So you have a costume jewelry collection, all bright and sparkly.  But do you wear it? And if you do - when?

This is just a short post for you to join in on, and talk about wearing this wonderful jewelry.

What Kind of Collector Are You?

Do you buy costume jewelry because you like it, buy as an investment or a little of both?  I suspect most of us fall into the "little of both" category.  So assuming you aren't strictly buying as an investment, the burning question is do you wear it?

I fall into the "little of both" category, and yes I do wear many of my pieces.  The more subdued pins and necklaces are worn even with jeans and a casual shirt.  The dressier I get, the more sparkles I wear.

I'll wear a bracelet almost anytime.  Even the Juliana-type bracelets are fair game when I dress casual -- and I have people stop me and compliment me on them!  Who cares if I'm just wearing jeans and out for a pizza? 

Earrings are a mixed bag -- if they aren't real dangly, I'll wear them most anytime, sparkles and all.  The more dangly ones I tend to wear with more dressed-up clothes.

The one type of jewelry I love but almost never wear are the over-the-top rhinestone necklaces (like the D&E pieces).   I don't remember the last time I went to anything formal (or even semi-formal), so they tend to stay in the jewelry box, which is really a shame.

What About You?

Go ahead -- scroll on down and leave a comment on what kind of costume jewelry collector you are and if/when you wear your jewelry!  Let's have some fun sharing. 

You might be, as a lot of us are, collecting costume jewelry on a budget.  You see all these lovely pieces but they are way out of your price range.  How can you build a collection if you don't have a lot of money to spare?

You do have some options, so let's take a look at them.

Check Out Yard Sales

Yard / garage / tag sales tend to have the lowest prices for vintage jewelry, as the owners tend to think of it as "junk jewelry".  While this isn't always the case, more often than not you can pick up some pieces for just a few dollars.  Sometimes signed pieces, sometimes with boxes included.

The down side is that a lot of yard sales don't have vintage jewelry, so you might go to several before you hit on one that has some worth checking out.

Buy Lesser Collected Makers

You might start your collection with some of the lesser-collected makers.  Sometimes these are newer jewelry (e.g. from the 1980's), sometimes they are makers who didn't usually design glitzy pieces.  Two of my favorite makers in this area are 1928 and BSK; I can usually pick up some nice pieces for less than $10.  Just make sure you like the costume jewelry a lot, because otherwise you may have a harder time selling it.

Buy Costume Jewelry With Less Glitz

It's true, you can pick up some pieces from the big-name designers, when those pieces don't have any (or minimal use of) rhinestones.  I've seen a lovely Trifari brooch be offered for (and sell for) as little as $3 on auction.  No rhinestones, and the particular piece dates from the mid-1980s, but it's well-made, signed and pretty.

Know When to Buy Vintage Jewelry on Ebay

As a lampwork bead seller for many years on ebay, I can tell you there are certain days and times of the week, as well as certain times of the month and even year, where the auction prices don't tend to go as high.  Knowing the cycles can help you get a piece you might not otherwise be able to afford.

In general, the last few days of the month and the first few days of the next month are good buying times.  People are paying their bills and may not have a lot of money left to spare.  Conversely, the middle of the month generally brings higher prices, as people may either have more money to spend, or at least think they do.

Summertime can bring lower prices, especially on Saturdays when the weather is fine; people are out and about instead of in front of the computer.

During the day, if you can access the auctions during a break at work or at lunchtime.  Also in the evenings before 6 PM Eastern time.

Save Up Your Money

It's true, if you are longing after a Julianna. Haskell or Eisenberg, you may have to save your pennies for while, as these pieces generally don't come cheap.  So you may want to forego buying lesser pieces for awhile in order to have enough to get a higher-end piece of costume jewelry that is near and dear to your heart.

So there are some tips or collecting costume jewelry on a budget; I hope they have helped you!  Meanwhile, let's check out some more eye candy on a budget.