1930

		Collecting Costume Jewelry

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1930's Jewelry

The 1930's ushered in real glamour and the sensuous nature of jewelry. Clara Bow, Marlene Dietrich, Gloria Swanson, Greta Garbo, Lauren Bacall, Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Ginger Rogers, and Vivien Leigh were Hollywood's leading ladies. In the 1930's and 40's Mae West dazzled audiences with her voluptuous body and jewelry. Carmen Miranda spawned a whole new look with fruit laden heads and dancing figures.

The Depression influenced the popularity of costume jewelry. When a woman couldn't afford to buy a new dress for that special occasion, she could afford to change the look of an old dress with a new, inexpensive piece of costume jewelry.

Costume jewelry became synonymous with cheap, inexpensive jewelry that was mass produced. However this was not true of "boutique" costume jewelry from designers like Haskell, Hobe, Carnegie and the like which was handmade. Some like Swaboda even used real gemstones.

Miriam Haskell designed the ultra feminine look while Schiaparelli designed large, chunky rhinestone pieces and pieces of silver lattice work and wood. Figurative and floral jewelry became popular. Marcasites, coral, jade, carnelian and chrysoprase were used together. Novelty jewelry was introduced and in fashion through the 1940's.

Eisenberg accented his clothing line with fabulous dress clips. Eugene Joseff began designing for Hollywood. Marcel Boucher left Cartier to open his own company. Alfred Philippe joined Trifari. Coro duettes became popular. Bakelite jewelry was being sold. In the 1920's and 30's, much of the jewelry went unsigned.

English Eisenberg Hobe Eisenberg