Costume industry in the Philippines started in the 1970s with the use of shells in the crafting of jewellery. The costume jewellery industry in Philippines is in the nascent stage and is dominated by micro, small and medium sized companies. Subcontracting is commonly done with most of the manufacturing outsourced to a number of small firms.
Costume jewellery industry also includes the imitation jewellery and semi precious jewellery. Most companies in the industry are categorized as cottage industry.
Product lines in the industry depend on the season in which the raw materials are sourced and on the current trend in fashion. The manufacturing is restricted to certain months of the year.
The industry is driven by fashion and includes both men and women fashion accessories segment. The manufacturing of costume jewellery is mostly done by using indigenous and local materials.
Leading manufacturers are making use of exotic natural and synthetic materials to design beautiful and exquisite fashion jewellery. Sea shells, coconut shells, stone, fibre, horn, wood, metal, resin and paper are some of the materials used to create jewellery. The jewellery items manufactured are especially famous in the international market for their design, quality and innovation.
Cebu is the major manufacturing and supplying region of shell based costume jewellery in the country.
Major Exporting Countries
Philippines exports costume jewellery to the following countries:
- Italy
- Japan
- Spain
- Great Britain
- Northern Ireland
