I wanted to just kinda start out with an example of what costume jewelry is to me.
Most people think, especially men, no ill intent intended. but i hear it all the time. "it's fake" or "it's just junk". They think, if there's no gold or silver, or if it's a rhinestone and not a diamond, then it has no value. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Let me give you an example of what I mean. Before COVID, there was a RV park near my home that every other weekend had a flea market. There was a man there that bought storage units and sold the contents. He had a lot of jewelry for sale, mostly fashion type stuff. but in the pile of earrings he had a big gold pair of clip on earrings. i bought them right away for 3.50. even had to come back in two weeks because I was 1.25 short. While shopping there i asked about his business and he said to me that he goes through everything and stuff not gold or silver he piles here for sale for just a few dollars. he said everythinjg else is just fluff, no real value.
After the two weeks i went back and paid him for the earrings and took them home. after a little time and when i had the money i submitted them for verification to make sure i didn't have a pair of fancy replicas. The were authenticated.
What he thought, because they were not gold or any other precious metals and not real diamonds. Was in fact a authenitic pair of Chanel clip on earring that i later sold for 825.00.
Lesson here is? Just because it not "real" dose not mean, Not "valuable". Always check your junk jewelry. Never know what's in there.