Fashion jewellery or Cocktail Jewellery, as it was then called, came around in the 1920’s. Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli were the first designers of their time (around 1885 - 1972) to use fashion jewellery. They encouraged everyone to use fashion jewellery (costume jewellery) and were often spotted out and about with gorgeous pieces of fashion jewellery. Mixing real gems with fashion jewellery was also very popular.
By the late 1930’s a big American company called Napier, took the main role in fashion jewellery manufacturing.
The influence from the 40’s and the 50’s movie era, really bought life to jewellery and fashion. Everyone wanted to look like a star, they had the clothes, make-up and jewellery. It was said that the more you look like a star, the more you became a star.
Fashion jewellery was flourishing in the States as it was taking a back seat in Europe. The Second World War stopped most of the productions of jewellery being made with precious metals like gold, silver and platinum. Fashion jewellery became popular as an alternative in Europe to fine jewels and gorgeous jewellery.

Dallas and Dynasty helped bring Fashion (costume) jewellery back into the limelight once again in the 1980’s. Fabulous fashion jewellery using cubic zirconia’s and diamante to create stunning, glimmering pieces of fine fashion jewellery.

Fashion jewellery has once again come back into fashion. Today’s selections of fashion jewellery is totally amazing. Fashion brooches have been extremely popular this time round as well as bracelets and bangles.
Fashion jewellery, these days, can be so fun and vibrant. With jewellery in every colour, shape and size available there’s so much choice. It is very popular to coat base metals in 9ct, 14ct, 18ct, 22ct and even 24ct gold.