Fashion and Costume Jewellery:  What's the Difference?

To understand the roots of costume and fashion jewellery, you probably want to read a little about the history.

The wearing of gold jewellery can be traced back 3000 years BC to ancient Egypt where jewels were found in the tombs of Tutankhamen.  It is believed that "fake" jewellery emerged in 13th Century Europe as common folk were not allowed to wear real jewellery such as pearls, gold or silver.  However because demand for these items were so high, production started in glass imitations.  Venice was the heart of glass production and developed a reputation of quality glass gems.

In 17th century Paris, highly ornate fashions fuelled the market even more for fake jewellery.  Around this time "paste" (a mixture of white lead oxide and potash) was developed for creating look-a-like gems.

We now move into the 19th century where people spread out to Australia and America.  This resulted in poorer quality goods, so jewellers such as Tiffany created high quality fine jewellery.  Then by the early 1900's familiar designers such as Coco Chanel, Rene Lalique popularised faux jewels again.  This is when the terms costume and cocktail jewellery became popular terms.

Fine jewellery dwindled during the World War II because of rationing creating another resurgence of costume jewellery.  Post-war jewels became even more extravagant and are now very collectable.  Because of celebrities in the 1980's onwards the term "fashion jewellery" was popularised.

So what's the difference between costume and fashion jewellery you ask?  Well, there isn't really any difference.  What you like to call it is up to you.

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