While they are known for their extensive collection of costume jewelry, they also owned and wore real, fine jewelry, including:
* Diamonds: They owned many pieces with diamonds, including necklaces, earrings, rings, and brooches.
* Pearls: Pearls were a favorite among Vanderbilt women, and they owned numerous pearl strands, necklaces, and earrings.
* Emeralds: They also possessed emerald jewelry, including necklaces, earrings, and brooches.
* Sapphires: Sapphires were another gem they incorporated into their jewelry collection.
It's important to note that the Vanderbilts were a very wealthy family, so they could afford both fine jewelry and costume jewelry. While they may be more famous for their costume jewelry, they also owned and wore a substantial amount of real jewelry.
The distinction between costume jewelry and fine jewelry is based on the materials used. Costume jewelry uses less expensive materials like glass, plastic, and metal alloys, while fine jewelry uses precious metals like gold and silver and gemstones like diamonds, sapphires, and rubies.