Museum of Costume Jewelry

Tucked into downtown Asheville, the Museum of Costume Jewelry is the only museum of its kind in the region.

Walk through 750 pieces spanning the 20th century and beyond. See iconic designs from Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, Elsa Schiaparelli, Miriam Haskell, and Joseff of Hollywood. Trace how cultural, industrial, and political trends shaped jewelry production from Art Nouveau and Art Deco through post-WWII scarcity, 1970s Lucite fashions, and contemporary designs. 

The exhibits blend artistry with education. You can learn how European courtiers and ateliers partnered to create haute couture fashion, discover changing materials used across eras, and understand the craftsmanship behind each enchanting piece. 

The museum arose from one collector's passion and operates as a nonprofit dedicated to preserving costume jewelry's rich cultural context. Contact the museum for current exhibit information. The gift shop offers unique finds for jewelry enthusiasts plus resource books on jewelry and fashion. 

Photo-taking is welcome throughout the museum. Ground-floor accessibility makes visiting easy. An affordable public parking garage sits across the street. Downtown location means you can easily add this stop to your Asheville itinerary any day except Wednesdays. Open Thursday through Tuesday, 11 am–5 pm. $12 admission. The museum is also available for rental for private events.