1980s Costume Jewelry

You can buy Chanel costume jewelry directly from the brand’s official website as well as in its boutiques. See the site’s store locator in order to find the official Chanel boutique nearest you. You can also find Chanel products on offer at any of the luxury house’s authorized retailers as well as through resellers.

Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel introduced her costume jewelry in the 1920s, when the economy was roaring and fine jewelry was the main mode of adornment among her clients. Fearless about giving offense, Chanel proclaimed, “I love fakes because I find such jewelry provocative, and I find it disgraceful to walk around with millions of dollars around your neck, just because you are rich.” Then, in 1932, in the midst of the Great Depression, Chanel dramatically switched gears and designed her first and only diamond jewelry collection, Bijoux de Diamants.

Find vintage Chanel costume jewelry for sale on 1stDibs.

Yes, some costume jewelry is worth money. Because costume jewelry doesn't often feature precious metals or genuine gemstones, its value usually comes from other aspects, such as the maker, style, type, condition and age. Vintage costume jewelry produced by Trifari, Chanel, Christian Dior, Miriam Haskell, Sarah Coventry and Kenneth Jay Lane are just some examples of pieces that may be sought after by collectors. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable dealer can be of assistance when determining how much your costume jewelry may be worth. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of costume jewelry.

Yes, Dior costume jewelry will tarnish over time if not properly taken care of. Be sure to avoid getting fragrances and creams on your jewelry, and clean your accessories every so often to help it last. Shop a collection of Dior jewelry from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Although costume jewelry is usually more affordable because many Chanel costume pieces have a timeless style as well as good craftsmanship, they hold their value and so can be sold at an expensive price.

Bold, head-turning looks were in fashion during the 1980s. It was the decade of bright electric neon colors as well as suits, jackets, tops and dresses with shoulder pads. The aerobics and fitness craze of the ’80s spilled over into fashion, with people sporting leg warmers, headbands and leggings as everyday apparel. Punk culture also influenced style, with leather jackets, fishnet stockings and chunky metal jewelry being favored by some. Denim looks of the time were often baggy and flaunted acid washes. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of vintage apparel and accessories from the 1980s.

To know what costume jewelry is worth money, one option is to conduct some online research. You can read articles on trusted websites to find out what types of pieces and makers are highly sought after. Another approach is to peruse the sold sections of reputable online platforms to get a feel for the selling prices of different types of jewelry. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse assortment of jewelry from some of the world's top dealers.

Many different costume jewelry brands are worth money. Along with the maker, factors that determine the value of costume jewelry include style, type, materials, age and condition. Some brands of costume jewelry that collectors tend to seek out include Trifari, Miriam Haskell, Schiaparelli, Coro, Weiss, Sarah Coventry, Kramer, Hobe, Kenneth Jay Lane, Chanel, Christian Dior and Vendome. If you're interested in how much pieces in your own collection may be worth, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable dealer can be of assistance. Find a diverse assortment of costume jewelry on 1stDibs.

To tell if costume jewelry is real gold, try placing a magnet near it. Genuine gold isn't magnetic, so if you notice any attraction, the piece is unlikely to be solid gold. Hallmarks, such as 14K or 10K, can also help you identify gold jewelry. However, keep in mind that, by definition, costume jewelry is usually made out of inexpensive materials. As a result, most costume jewelry brands don't use real gold. If they do, the gold is most likely plated, meaning that the jewelry is predominantly a base metal to which a thin layer of gold gets applied as a finish. A certified appraiser or experienced jeweler can also help you determine if your jewelry is gold. On 1stDibs, shop a large collection of gold jewelry.

To tell if Chanel costume jewelry is real, look at the maker's markings. The French luxury fashion house has changed its costume jewelry marks many times over the years. By comparing images of the marks found on authentic pieces produced around the same time as your jewelry shared on trusted online resources, you can spot inconsistencies in the wording, font and other characteristics that may indicate your item is a replica. Generally, Chanel hallmarks will be evenly spaced, properly aligned and deeply stamped onto the surface of jewelry. Shallow, poorly spaced or crooked markings usually indicate counterfeit jewelry. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable dealer can assist you with the authentication process. Find a range of Chanel jewelry on 1stDibs.

Yes, plaid was popular in the 1980s. Interestingly, it was a signature feature of two very different styles that trended during the decade. Plaid appeared on pleated skirts and blazers, common among the preppy set. In addition, many in the punk subculture sported plaid pants and dresses. Find a wide variety of 1980s apparel and accessories on 1stDibs.

Yes, although Versace remains one of the top fashion houses of today, the 1980s are considered the heyday of Versace. Campaigns included top supermodels of the time, including Kate Moss and Claudia Schiffer, and were shot by the top photographers Richard Avedon and Bruce Weber. Shop iconic vintage and contemporary Versace apparel and accessories from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.

One of the most popular types of dresses during the 1980s was a tight-fitting sheath with oversized shoulder pads. Peplum accents were also common as were large puffy sleeves. On 1stDibs, find a collection of 1980s vintage dresses on 1stDibs.

In the 1700s, popular jewelry types included bracelets, brooches, belt buckles, earrings, rings and necklaces. Additionally, women frequently wore hair jewelry, such as tiaras, hairpins and combs encrusted with precious gemstones. You can find a selection of antique jewelry on 1stDibs.

In the 1910s, Art Nouveau jewelry was popular. Trends of the time included long necklaces often decorated with tassels and platinum beads. Among gemstones, diamonds and sapphires were in high demand. Find a selection of antique jewelry on 1stDibs.

During the 1800s, necklaces, earrings, brooches and hair accessories were popular jewelry pieces in styles ranging from Georgian with enamel details to Victorian with floral flourishes. The commonly used gemstones of the 19th century included diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, garnets and amethysts. Gold was the dominant metal for jewelry, but silver became sought-after during the 1880s and 1890s. Explore an assortment of antique jewelry on 1stDibs.