Have a fashionable lady on your holiday gift-giving list this year? Or, maybe it's a persnickety collector who'd always prefer something "old." You're in luck. Vintage costume jewelry is the hottest gift going this Christmas, especially sparkling rhinestone brooches. Keep these helpful tips in mind when you’re ferreting out a vintage costume jewelry gift:

Condition, condition, condition – Don’t take the condition of a vintage jewelry item for granted. Sure, vintage jewelry from the Victorian era through the 1930s can have a very vintage look to it ( meaning it doesn't look "new"). But there are times when you will find jewelry from the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s in like-new condition. Even with the older pieces, don’t settle for second best.

Extremely worn plating, darkened or cloudy rhinestones, missing parts, missing stones, and chipped or scratched enamel all lower the value of a vintage piece. Obvious repairs such as sloppy soldering and haphazard stone replacements should also be avoided. Don’t pay top dollar in a fit of last minute shopping desperation for a piece in poor condition.

Look for quality – If you find a bargain piece that’s kitschy and fun, and you know the recipient will love it, go ahead and purchase it. But, in general, buying vintage costume jewelry of quality makes sense. Pieces with pronged settings, substantial weight, smooth plating and bright stones in excellent condition will hold their value and wear better over time. Certain manufacturers are known for creating jewelry of quality: Eisenberg, Schiaparelli, Miriam Haskell and Schreiner are a few names to look for when purchasing a high-end gift. More moderately priced signatures include Weiss and Kramer among many others. Should a vintage jewelry gift always be "signed?" Not necessarily. There are just as many beautifully crafted unsigned pieces available on the secondary market, and all the aforementioned companies made unsigned jewelry at one time or another. It really depends on who you're buying for. An avid costume jewelry collector will appreciate a signature far more than someone who values the piece as a fashion accessory.

Consider the recipient's personality– It doesn’t make sense to buy your 15 year-old niece a huge rhinestone brooch if you never see her wearing pins bigger than the size of a quarter. Conversely, will your aunt who dresses boldly wearing large, flashy jewelry the majority of the time appreciate a penny-sized pin? Not so much. Favorite colors can come into play too. Is pink your best friend's signature color? Does your daughter adore purple? Then you can’t go wrong this season with something sparkly in those hues. Of course, if she prefers animal prints you can go with earthy brown, topaz and rich orange stones. Blue eyes? Look for a great rhinestone necklace and earring set in sky blue or Caribbean tones. And remember, clear rhinestone brooches look fabulous on a denim shirt or jacket, so even the most casual dresser can enjoy a little glitz this holiday.

Add a special touch to your gift - Ask the dealer you buy from to give you some background information on the piece you're purchasing. This can include the designer or manufacturer, age or era of the piece, distinguishing design characteristics or materials used in construction, and background on the former owner (also referred to as provenance), if known. Print out these details on a small card you can tuck in the box with your gift. To someone who knows little about vintage jewelry these tidbits are priceless and make the gift even more meaningful to them. Plus, it shows that you cared enough to take an extra step to make the gift special.

Whether you’re buying for a jewelry collector, or someone who’s simply fashionable for the moment, there are some great sites to shop online for quality vintage costume jewelry ranging from the Victorian era through the 1970s. These reputable dealers also carry collectible contemporary jewelry from the best designers around. Take a look at the "Shopping Spots" links below for some glitzy gift ideas for the shopper with impeccable taste.