Vintage Costume Jewelry
Preserving a Little Piece of History

Vintage costume jewelry is simply old imitation jewelry. The jewelry was created to be worn as inexpensive alternatives to real jewelry. Today, this jewelry has become highly sought after as collectibles. Some people prefer the vintage costume jewelry better than the contemporary costume jewelry of today.

Vintage costume jewelry designs were influenced by the style of clothing and the materials used at that time. Typically the workmanship was better and the stones that were used were of a higher quality than those used today. Vintage costume jewelry makes a fashion statement and can offer an inexpensive way to add glamour to your wardrobe. Owning a piece of vintage costume jewelry is like owning a little piece of history.

Vintage costume jewelry is appraised according to the condition of the jewels, the workmanship, the age of the piece, and the overall quality of the design. Since every piece of vintage costume jewelry is an investment, knowing how to properly store and clean this type of jewelry is very important. The best way to take good care of your vintage costume jewelry is to keep them in soft pouches. This helps keep dust away from them, since dust is abrasive and can cause deterioration to your jewelry. Store the pouches in a cool, dry, dust free place.



Despite your best efforts, your jewelry will sooner or later need to be cleaned. Carefully clean your jewels with mild soapy water or a cleaner, such as Windex. Remember, never submerge in water or spray the cleaner directly on the jewelry. The best way is to dampen a soft clean cloth with the cleaner, making sure it is not too wet and gently wipe the dust off the piece. For the hard to reach areas, use a soft bristle toothbrush or a Q-tip. Again, make sure it is barely damp. It is very easy to scratch some of the stones. After you have cleaned your jewelry, make sure they are completely dry before you put them away. Moisture can also cause deterioration to your jewels.



Over the course of time a stone may fall off a piece of vintage jewelry, this is natural after all it is vintage costume jewelry. If this occurs, it is a small repair job that simply requires gluing the stone back, something you can easily do yourself. It is important to use the right kind of glue so that the stone does not turn yellow and stays glued. Most people recomment H-G Hypo Cement which can be found at craft stores.

Taking care of your vintage costume jewelry will ensure that its beauty is preserved and can be past down to the next generation to enjoy. Remember, you are also preserving a little piece of history.





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