costume jewelry

American  

noun

1. jewelry made of nonprecious metals, sometimes gold-plated or silver-plated, often set with imitation or semiprecious stones.

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Etymology

Origin of costume jewelry

An Americanism dating back to 1930–35

Example Sentences

After two years of mostly small exchanges — cookbook galleys, costume jewelry, a set of dinner plates with just the right heft — we brought home something that, improbably, shifted the cadence of our cooking.

From Salon • Aug. 19, 2025

They collected materials from local businesses and assembled small items like toys, costume jewelry, or artificial flowers.

From Textbooks • Dec. 14, 2022

In her review, critic Katie Walsh likened the movie to costume jewelry — something that seems sparkly and fun but ultimately is worthless.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 7, 2022

While his mother was buying paint at an art-supply store, Sabyasachi spied cheap Indian beads — gold, wooden, shell — catching the afternoon light and decided to design his own costume jewelry collection.

From New York Times • Jun. 22, 2022

She bought shirts and pants and shorts and costume jewelry and makeup.

From "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli