Sometimes finding that one particular costume jewelry accessory can be a challenge, but a fun challenge none the less. Whether it 's those perfect rings, bracelets, necklaces or earrings, your accessories can make or break your outfit. Finding the  jewelry that expresses your personality can be a wonderful adventure. Many a fun afternoon can be spent browsing the mall and big box stores for that suitable ornament. But not all the best items are found in stores. Antique shows, flea markets and swap meets can be a treasure trove of antique, interesting and unique costume jewelry, not to mention being cheap - or rather, inexpensive.

Many an excellent artisan has their workshop tucked away in the corner of their house and is advertising by word of mouth. Ask around. Don't be afraid to complement a nice piece you see someone wearing and ask about where it came from. You never know what talented jewelry maker or designer may be living in your neighborhood. There may be an up-and-coming Coco Chanel or Kenneth Jay Lane next door.

Consider wearing glass beads, crystals or lampwork glass. There are a fascinating and endless array of these including agate, amber, citrine, mother of perl, agate, garnet and turquoise. Many expensive things are beautiful but not all beautiful things are expensive. Some of the most wonderful and interesting multicolored, unique textured designs are found in glass beads, crystals and lampwork glass. Many of these can be found in wholesale costume jewelry outlets.

How about a communion or name bracelet? You can just about guarantee that a custom handmade bracelet designed for your name or special occasion will be a fantastic as well as treasured accessory. A good place to find those is at one of the mall kiosk stores that specialize in custom made jewelry.

Try looking at vintage clothing stores for vintage costume jewelry. Not only do many have a wide and varied selection of vintage jewelry, but you can often find a great deal. Interestingly you can often find one of the few remaining pieces of a once mass produced piece that has that perfect spark or aura you've been looking for.

You can always look online. eBay and other auction sites are full of vintage and designer jewelry. There are tons of talented jewelry artisans advertising their handmade jewelry on the Internet. Be sure that you buy from a reputable seller. Check out their guarantee and return policy.

Another great idea is to think about making your own. It's not as difficult as you may think and you may find a hidden talent or a new passion. There is most likely a craft store in your area that will have a wide variety of instruction books, materials and kits. Many offer classes and instructional videos. Another plus to making your own jewelry is that you can give your creations for gifts to friends and family. It is quite a tribute to personalize a jewelry creation for the people you know most intimately. It can be a money saving exercise for holidays and special days and creates wonderful family keepsakes.

The factors you should consider when assigning value to vintage costume jewelry include condition, demand, rarity, design and originality and quality workmanship. You should look for worn plating, scratched or chipped enamel and cloudy, chipped, or missing stones, missing parts and sloppy or obvious repairs. Look for names like Schreiner, Eisenberg and Miriam Haskell. Their high-end pieces are known for their quality. Research the history of pieces and the designers who made them. Not all designer pieces were signed and quality unsigned pieces can just as easily increase in value over time.

Costume jewelry has an interesting history. George Stras developed paste stones in the early 18th century and ushered in a new era in addornment. Wearing jewels, once the domain of the wealthy, was now attainable to the middle classes. After a period of improvement and refinement in the developing costume jewelry industry. Coco Chanel in the 1920s influenced the industry by making the jewelry about decoration rather than trying to imitate jewels one could not afford. Ultimately her designs were embraced wealthy and middle class women alike. Flo Ziegfeld of Ziegfeld's Follies fame coined the term costume jewelry to describe the jewelry he had crafted to match the elaborate showgirl costumes in his reviews.

Hollywoods leading ladies brought out the glamour and sensuality of costume jewelry in the 1930s and 40s as jewelry experienced the Art Deco period. Jewelry making nearly came to a standstill in the 1940s as the world was at war and rationing severely limited production. Jewelry continued in the Art Modern period through the sixties. Much of today's modern costume jewelry uses quality crystals and simulates diamonds with cubic zirconia.

Now that you know more about the roots and popularity of costume jewelry, take some time to go out shopping. And wherever and however you find those treasures, wear them with pride and enjoy sharing with others the uniqueness that is you.