Vintage Costume Jewelry Identification and Value Guide

Are you wondering how much your vintage costume jewelry is worth? Maybe you have found a piece you love and want to know if it is worth the money the seller says it is.

Below is a guide to help you identify valuable costume jewelry and see how much notable pieces have been sold for in the past. Values shown in this guide reflect the actual selling price in the venue noted (in parenthesis after the value). Prices for similar collectible jewelry pieces sold in other venues may be higher or lower, depending on market fluctuations and geographical region.

Alice Caviness Crystal Necklace & Bracelet Set

Crystal necklaces were like strands of pearls, everyone had one in the 1950s. Being so versatile, they are popular with fashionable ladies today as well.

Value: $62 (eBay 7/06)

Bogoff Rhodium Plated Rhinestone Bracelet

Bogoff bracelets are harder to find than other pieces by this manufacturer.

Value: $65 (eBay 10/06)

Ciner Deco Revival Bow Brooch

This piece has an Art Deco influence but it is actually much newer, which is referred to as Deco Revival.

Value: $85 (eBay 9/06)

Ciner Bead Necklace with Frog Clasp

Ciner is a ​high-quality jewelry manufacturer still doing business today. Collectors prize these nvaluable vintage pieces.

Value: $110 (eBay 9/06)

Coro Candelabra Pin

This Coro design was patented in 1948.

Value: $125 (Ruby Lane 2/10)

Coro Indian Chief Brooch

This is a hard-to-find, desirable Coro piece, hence the high price. Most Coro items will not sell anywhere near this range.

Value: $383 (eBay 6/06, Seller ID: pagrace)

Coro October Angel Duette Clips/Pin

This piece is from a series of angel birthstone Duettes and coordinating bracelets made by Coro in 1956.

Value: $125 (Ruby Lane 10/09)

Corocraft Donkey Cart Brooch Pin

Here is a popular Coro design patented in 1948.

Value: $145 (Ruby Lane 2/10)

DeMario Pin with Pine Sprigs and Cones

This DeMario piece was marked with the DeMario oval cartouche with a copyright symbol.

Value: $40.50

Dior Simulated Jade Rhinestone Pin

Below is a piece is dated 1964 and marked Chr. Dior Germany on the signature cartouche.

Value: $85 (eBay 10/06)

Dior Aurora Borealis Brooch

Here is a Christian Dior brooch signed "Chr. Dior 1958" featuring iridescent rhinestones known as aurora borealis.

Value: $165 (Ruby Lane 8/09)

Eisenberg Originals Fur or Pin Clip

This pot metal piece fastens to a garment with a double-pronged clip, known as a fur clip to collectors but found in patents noted as a pin clip.

Value: $146.25 (Vintage Costume Jewelry Show, Austin, TX 10/06)

Forbidden Fruits Grapes Pin and Earring Set

Made in Austria, all Forbidden Fruits pieces were constructed of plastic with embedded glass stones and metal leaf accents

These were originally sold on cards bearing the "Forbidden Fruits" name. They come in a variety of fruit and vegetable shapes. Pieces with opaque stones, like these, are not as common as other colors with sparkling rhinestones. However, the grapes motif, in general, is one of the most common styles of Forbidden Fruits jewelry.​

Value: $52.99 (eBay 8/08)

Miriam Haskell White Dangle Earrings

Value: $30 (Ruby Lane 2/10)

Haskell Brooch with Rows of Faux Pearls

Marked "Miriam Haskell" on an appliqued oval tag.

Value: $143.50 (ebay 6/06)

Haskell Pastel Rhinestone and Pearl Earrings

Miriam Haskell pieces combining colored rhinestones with faux pearls are more uncommon than pearl and clear rhinestone pieces.

Value: $68 (Ruby Lane 7/09)

Haskell Rhinestone Brooch with Leaf Accents Value

Marked "Miriam Haskell" on an appliqued oval tag.

Value: $50 (ebay 6/06)

Haskell Red Rhinestone Earrings

Miriam Haskell pieces like these earrings made entirely of rhinestones are not commonly found, making them relatively valuable.

Value: $85 (Ruby Lane 10/09)

Haskell Turquoise Bead Necklace

This is marked Miriam Haskell on the necklace hook and the back of the findings.

Value: $148.50 (ChicAntiques.com 10/06)

Hollycraft 1958 Brooch & Earring Set

Here is a piece marked "Hollycraft Copr. 1958." Large foiled cabachons are often referred to as "cat's eye" stones by collectors.

Value: $89.77 (eBay 6/06)

Hollycraft Necklace Blue & Green Rhinestones

This is an unusual color combination for Hollycraft jewelry.

Value: $95 (Austin Antique Mall 10/06)

Hollycraft Green Rhinestone Brooch

Here is a Hollycraft brooch in a typical antique goldtone setting dated 1953 on the reverse.

Value: $75 (Ruby Lane 10/09)

Juliana/DeLizza Elster Pearl & Crystal Necklace

Juliana jewelry is not signed, but select pieces can sometimes be found with an original hang tag.

Value: $350 (Ruby Lane 2/10)

Juliana/DeLizza & Elster Watermelon Rivioli Parure

Parure is the collector's term for three or more matching pieces.

The large round stones in this parure are known as rivoli stones. The color of these glass stones is often referred to as "watermelon" by collectors due to their similarity to natural watermelon tourmaline. Juliana jewelry is not signed, but can sometimes be found with its original hang tag.​

Value: $512.99 (eBay 10/07)

Juliana/DeLizza & Elster Parure

Parure is a French term for three or more matching jewelry pieces. 

Value: $711.99 parure shown (eBay 10/07); necklace only $362.60 (eBay 7/08)

Juiana/DeLizza & Elster Blue Aurora Borealis Brooch

Aurora borealis (those with an iridescent finish) rhinestones were not introduced by Swarovski until the mid-1950s, which helps date many costume pieces.

Value: $40 (eBay 7/06)

Juliana/DeLizza & Elster Crystal Dangle Bracelet

Juliana is a nickname collectors give unsigned jewelry manufactured by DeLizza & Elster.

Value: $52 (eBay 7/06)

Juliana/DeLizza & Elster Emerald Green Set

DeLizza & Elster marked only select pieces of jewelry with "Juliana" hang tags leaving most unmarked.

Value: $100 (Orlando, FL antique shop 7/06)

Juliana/DeLizza & Elster Red and Black Rhinestone Necklace

Juliana, manufactured by DeLizza & Elster, is unsigned but recognizable due to the construction of the piece.

Value: $200 (VFCJ Costume Jewelry Convention 10/09)

Juliana/DeLizza & Elster Fruit Dangle Parure

The dangle beads on this set are often referred to as fruit. Parure is the collector's term for three or more matching pieces.

Value: $202.50 (eBay 10/06)

Juliana/DeLizza & Elster Zebra Stone Bracelet

This Juliana bracelet exhibits the typical five-link​ and band construction on the reverse.

Value: $125 (ChicAntiques.com 6/06)

Kramer Fall Tone Brooch & Earring Set

Aurora borealis rhinestones indicate this brooch and earring set was made after 1955.

Value: $68 (Ruby Lane 2/10)

Kramer Faux Emerald Rhinestone Necklace & Earring Set

Signed "Kramer of NY" on the necklace, "Kramer" on the earrings. Rhodium plated.

Value: $71.00 (eBay 6/06)

Kramer White Necklace & Bracelet Set

White jewelry was popularized by Dior in the 1950s, and other designers and manufacturers followed suit. 

Value: $58 (eBay 7/06)

Mazer Retro Rhinestone Bracelet

This style of jewelry is commonly referred to as "retro" by collectors and dealers.

Value: $63 (eBay 10/06)

Napier Vintage Wings Brooch and Earring Set

This Napier "boutique" jewelry set was made in very limited quantities and rarely comes on the market.

Value: $175 (Ruby Lane 7/09)

Napier Black Rhinestone Brooch

Here is a signed Napier brooch featuring black rhinestones with aurora borealis accents in a heavy goldtone setting.

Value: $65 (Ruby Lane 7/09)

Napier Crystal Necklace

This Napier necklace made up of clear crystals and goldtone beads features a flattering Egyptian Revival influence.

Value: $135 (Ruby Lane 9/09)

Regency Green Barouque Pearl Bracelet Set

Oval baroque pearls were commonly used by Regency in a number of colors.

Value: $34.95 (eBay 9/06)

Regency Gray Rhinestone Bracelet

This is a Regency signed bracelet featuring stones of exceptional quality.

Value: $75 (Ruby Lane 7/09)

Regency Green Cabochon Necklace & Bracelet Set

Signed "Regency" on oval plaque. A set of two or more matching pieces is also referred to as a demi-parure.

Value: $65.99 (eBay 6/06)

Reinad Asian Princess Brooch

Here is a 1940s imitation of a very finely crafted and well-made Hattie Carnegie design. This one by Reinad, while beautiful, is not as nicely detailed.

Value: $85 (eBay 8/08)

Sandor Rhinestone and Filigree Maltese Cross Brooch

Sandor mark indicates jewelry manufactured by Sandor Goldberger. The terms brooch and pin are often used interchangeably with pieces like this one.

Value: $25.49 (eBay 6/06)

Schiaparelli Necklace Set

Unsigned Schiaparelli necklace in excellent condition, unsigned bracelet with repair and single signed earring included for identification purposes.

Value: $275 (Ruby Lane 2/10)

Schiaparelli Rhinestone Dangle Brooch

Value: $225 (eBay 9/06)

Schoffel Austria Pin and Earring Set

Schoffel pieces made in Austria are marked only with a crown logo, but have the look of other pieces often found marked "Made in Austria."

Value: $56 (eBay 7/06)

Schreiner Amber Rhinestone Earrings

Schreiner vintage pieces remain popular with collectors due to their beautiful use of stones and excellent craftsmanship.

Value: $45 (Ruby Lane 7/09)

Schreiner Bug Trembler Pin

This piece has wings mounted on springs making it move slightly when worn, thus the term "trembler."

Value: $46 (eBay 9/06)

Schreiner Art Glass Cabochon Brooch & Earring Set

Cabochons are stones with rounded tops rather than facets. This set is unsigned but attributed to Schreiner due to construction characteristics.

Value: $100.99 (eBay 6/06)

Schreiner New York Stars Brooch & Earring Set

Brooch is marked "Schreiner New York", earrings are not marked. Corners of the brooch turn upward for a three-dimensional effect.

Value: $73.50 (eBay 6/06)

Schreiner Brooch with Red & Green Rhinestones

Brooch signed "Schreiner New York" featuring high-quality rhinestones.

Value: $125 (Ruby Lane 7/09)

Selro Devil Charm Bracelet

Funky charm bracelets from the 1950s have been gaining popularity recently and prices are on the rise.

Value: $98 (IllusionJewels.com 6/06)

Trifari Eagle Brooch

This piece is an example of Trifari's prime work. It is considered a rarity in the costume jewelry world and is highly sought by avid collectors.

In spite of this brooch being incorrectly labeled as a "jelly belly" in the online auction description and having a few minor condition issues, this piece brought top dollar on eBay. If it were a true jelly belly (a collector's term describing pieces incorporating clear lucite cabochons or components in the design), it would have sold for even more. A similar example with Lucite wings was documented selling in the $17,000 range at a live auction in years past.

Value: $7,300 (eBay 10/06)

Trifari Green Laurel Necklace & Bracelet Set

Mark (Crown over the "T" and no copyright symbol) dates these pieces to the late 1940s. The necklace and bracelet can be attached to make a longer necklace.

Value: $85 (eBay 6/06)

Trifari Rhinestone Parure

This set consisting of several matching pieces would be referred to as a "parure" by collectors. It is in mint condition.

Value: $888 (eBay 8/06, Seller: kaysglitz)

Trifari Weeping Willow Brooch

This is an extremely rare Trifari piece that came in several different colorations, including goldtone with no enameling.

Value: $1,292 (eBay 7/06, Seller: roader54)

Trifari Cranberry Red Dangle Brooch

A Trifari brooch of good quality, typical of Trifari's mass-produced pieces from the 1950s.

Value: $65 (Ruby Lane 10/09)

Vendome Pink Rhinestone Necklace

Vendome, a high-end division of Coro, was known for making beaded necklaces more often than rhinestone pieces like this necklace.

Value: $125 (Ruby Lane 8/09)

West Germany Red Rhinestone and Pearl Pin

A typical pin marked "W. Germany" made using stamped filigree, rhinestones and pearls. Similar pieces were made using a variety of stone colors.

Value: $45 (Ruby Lane 10/09)