Vintage Chanel Costume Jewelry
Chanel has a long history of costume jewelry. Coco starting making it in the 1930’s. They were cheaper than real gems, allowing a woman to purchase more pieces to properly accessorize all her outfits.
Chanel costume jewelry covered a wide range of styles over the years. Chanel was influenced by Indian, Baroque, Renaissance and Art Deco styles for her costume jewelry, which was designed with her by many artists. The most recognizable pieces are the pearl necklaces, sometimes interspersed with other glass or crystal beads. Also very noteworthy are poured glass jewelry. Square shaped pieces of poured glass look like highly polished sea glass. These pieces are often arranged in a cross motif. In the 1960’s Chanel even used chain interwoven with fabric or leather for belts that we have come to know as mostly being used now for purse straps.
Now if you like vintage like I like vintage, you’ve tried to hunt out old Chanel pieces hoping for a deal. You’ll soon find out that vintage Chanel is highly collectable and nearly as expensive as the modern day pieces. You’ll also see, that like Chanel clothes, the new costume jewelry is inspired by the old.
For those interested in vintage Chanel, I have compiled a set of costume jewelry dealers who have some pieces to offer.
http://www.jewelfever.com/
http://www.jeweldiva.com/signednew.htm
http://www.vintagejewelrycollect.com/c-signed-Chanel-1.html
http://www.pzazjewelry.com/chanel.html
chanel jewellery is just so gorgeous!
Laura October 11, 2005 @ 4:21 am
i have just inherited a pair of Chanel clip earrings in gold. They have such an intricate carving of the Chanel double “c” 3 times on each earring and they are obviously handmade so I dont want to give them to my daughter if they might be something that should be in a museum or belonging to a collector. Where mightent I look for information pertaining to this subject? Sorry for any bother!!!! Teri Trantham
501-622-7322 or 501-991-3626
Teri Trantham December 15, 2005 @ 9:40 pm
I have a large hammered gold cuff…3 1/8 ” in high. It consists of three oval panels with the top panel overlapping and joining the other two. Centered on the panels are three poured glass cabochon “jewels” in red, blue and purple. It’s signed with the Chanel plaque and has the Chanel interlocking logo….and “made in France”. Any ideas as to who the designer might be? Possibly Lagerfeld? Thanks for any info you might have. gh
Gail Hermann March 12, 2006 @ 5:40 pm
I want to find Chanel costume jewelry!
Jenny Lang November 4, 2006 @ 5:05 am