In the 1920s, Chanel founder Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel began accessorizing her ensembles with ropes of faux pearls. While combining haute joaillerie with costume versions is nothing new today, Coco Chanel's debut of costume jewelry was considered innovative—and even radical—at the time.
Costume jewelry was originally dismissed as something for customers who couldn't afford authentic diamonds, pearls, and gold. Nevertheless, Chanel rejected traditional standards of adornment by combining real fine jewelry with whimsical costume versions. Rather than the modern "quiet luxury" trend, she embraced extravagance in costume jewelry design.
"Costume jewelry is not made to give women an aura of wealth, but to make them beautiful," said Chanel. "It isn't made to provoke desire—just astonishment at most. It must remain an ornament and an amusement."
Comprising necklaces, earrings, brooches, cuff bracelets & rings, Chanel's costume jewelry consists of materials ranging from leather & metal to plexiglass, imitation pearls, glass pearls, and crystals. When Karl Lagerfeld took over at Chanel in 1983, he emblazoned jewelry with the brand's bold, iconic CC logo. Gold plating and strands of simulated pearls followed suit.
The appeal of all costume jewelry, of course, is its aesthetic inspiration from real fine jewelry—only at significantly lower prices. Better yet, it sells in abundance at the resale level. For example, from vintage to newer styles, costume earrings from Chanel generally command approximately between $400 and $2,000.
Chanel costume jewelry features intricate engraving, laser imprints, or embossed stamping marks. These marks can be found on different parts of the jewelry, such as the clasp or reverse side of the charms. The marks are easily visible when magnified under a jeweler's loupe.
Maintaining the beauty of your Chanel costume jewelry is essential. The plating on authentic Chanel pieces is thick and made of high-quality materials like glass pearls and strass crystals. With proper storage and care, it will not wear down easily. Here's our guide to keep it looking its best.
• KEEP IT DRY
From humidity to skin's natural oils, any kind of liquid can discolor costume jewelry. Before washing your hands or showering, remove all jewelry. When wearing perfume or lotion, wait for it to dry on the skin before putting anything on.
• KEEP IT CLEAN
Mild soap, warm water, and a soft brush or cloth are the best at-home remedies for cleaning costume jewelry.
• TAKE IT OFF
When changing clothes, costume jewelry should be the first thing you take off and the last thing you put on. Drop earrings and chain-link necklaces can easily tangle, and you risk damaging your clothing and jewelry—or worse, even harming yourself if you're not careful. Also, before going to sleep, be sure to remove all jewelry. Even wearing a gold-plated ring overnight can cause tarnishing.
• STORE IT PROPERLY
Moisture in the air also affects costume jewelry—causing the chemicals in metal to become dull and/or discolored. For an easy and effective at-home solution, store your favorite styles inside the Chanel pouch or resealable plastic bag. Before sealing the bag, make sure that there's nothing to prevent the effects of oxidation.
Chanel's costume jewelry collection offers a range of styles, from classic CC studs to bold statement pieces. The collection features faux pearl clip-ons, oversized drop earrings, layered necklaces, rings, and chunky cuffs. These timeless pieces can be worn alone for a chic look or stacked together for a more dramatic statement. From day to night and season after season, Chanel's costume jewelry enhances an array of different looks. Here, we've curated a selection of our favorite styles.
CHANEL 20B CHA-NEL CRYSTAL EARRINGS
CHANEL 21B CC HEART CRYSTAL PEARL DROP EARRINGS
CHANEL 20B COCO PEARL CRYSTAL CC DROP EARRINGS
CHANEL 23P NO.5 CRYSTAL LEATHER CHAIN DROP EARRINGS
CHANEL 19A EGYPTIAN NILE EARRINGS
CHANEL 21V CC CRYSTAL PEARL DROP EARRINGS
CHANEL CRYSTAL CC PEARL DROP EARRINGS