Authenticity, Distinction and Value in the Narratives of Chinese Consumers of Vintage Costume Jewellery

Abstract

The authors analyse narratives of Chinese consumers of Vintage Costume Jewellery to show how value is attributed to vintage items, often in direct contrast to contemporary luxury goods. Examining a range of factors in this process, including uniqueness, scarcity, historical specificity, social meaning and cultural legitimacy, authenticity is shown to be central to the positioning of jewellery and those who collect, trade and appreciate it as tasteful and discerning consumers.

Citation

Hu, J. and Thurnell-Read, T. (2022), "Authenticity, Distinction and Value in the Narratives of Chinese Consumers of Vintage Costume Jewellery", Heřmanová, M., Skey, M. and Thurnell-Read, T. (Ed.) Cultures of Authenticity, Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 137-152. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80117-936-220221010