Costume jewelry, otherwise known as fashion jewelry, was the first jewelry mass-produced to compliment specific outfits or costumes. Since this time fashion jewelry has become a very large presence, creating entrepreneurs out of amateurs and creating a creative nook in the industry for budding designers.

Generally, fashion jewelry is comprised of inexpensive elements such as beads, stones, gems and other trinkets and set in semi precious metals like silver, gold vermeil and gold or silver-plated brass. Sometimes, slightly more valuable crystals and cubic zirconia have been used, though in attempts to keep prices low, material costs are kept to a minimum. This model allows consumers to be able to purchase sets of jewelry to accessorize many outfits.

Costume jewelry has been a part of our culture for over 300 years, though the start of the rise of popularity began in the mid twentieth century. It was a response to the request of the emerging middle class to be able to adorn themselves with trinkets and baubles in an attempt to mimic the upper class.

As popularity increased and costs were pushed down, it became possible for even the majority of working class women to be able to own small pieces of costume jewelry, giving them the opportunity to be stylish alongside their more affluent neighbors.

Though many believe that the machining of such jewelry has flooded the market with inferior quality and spoiled the beauty of the art form, the truth is that without the mass production of fashion jewelry, the enthusiasm for the product would not be as widespread.  The fact is that nearly everyone can afford this jewelry and all available jewelry were still extremely expensive then the spread of ideas and the art form would have been seriously constrained.  Cheaper jewelry helps to spread the art. 

Even top end fashion designers have gotten in on the act. Designers like Christian Dior have created a jewelry line to compliment their fashion lines. Many celebrities have been caught wearing top quality fashion jewelry like Jackie Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor, and even Barbara Bush.  Just because it is cheap does not mean it can not be beautiful.

Amateur fashion jewelry makers have been able to earn a nice profit by coupling their creativity with basic jewelry making know how which can be learned in a weekend though a lapidary course. A Lapidary course will educate the budding jewelry maker in the proper ways to tie knots, how to choose beads and gemstones, and how to create specific, highly sought after designs. Armed with this information and a strong motivation to succeed, many amateurs have been able to leave their daytime employment to pursue jewelry making full time. Most amateurs start their hobby as a part time interest, but can quickly find themselves overwhelmed by demand if they can design something appealing and different from the norm.

If you can put together nice designs fairly quickly then you can be a profitable jewelry maker.  Skill is half of the equation and having an eye for good art and good taste is the other half.  Rarely do people have both qualities but those who do will be able to make a living at putting together jewelry.

Fashion jewelry offers many people with the opportunity to accessorize their favorite outfits with beautiful jewelry at a fraction of the cost of fine jewelry and can create revenue potential for those who choose to make jewelry for a profit.