Vintage Ciner hemisphere coral bead clip-on earrings, 1980s
About the Item
- Creator:
- Dimensions:Diameter: 1.19 in (30 mm)
- Style:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1980-1989
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2861217082202
Ciner
What defines “fine” jewelry? For many aficionados, there’s a clear line separating the golden wheat from the gilded chaff. But the handcrafted pieces made by Ciner, a 128-year-old costume jewelry house with a glittering past to rival some of the hautest high jewelers, call into question our notions of what constitutes preciousness.
Quality? Craftsmanship? Painstaking detail? Vintage Ciner earrings, brooches, necklaces and other accessories have them all in spades.
Much of the Ciner’s allure can be traced to its origins in fine jewelry. Emanuel Ciner, an Austrian immigrant, founded the firm in Manhattan in 1892, crafting pieces from the traditional precious gems, gold and platinum. But World War I and the Great Depression caused purse strings to tighten and materials to become scarce. Rather than try to weather the economic downturn, which shuttered many other American jewelers, Ciner made the risky transition from fine jewelry to costume (or fashion) jewelry — virtually uncharted territory.
Emanuel Ciner’s sons, Irwin and Charles, introduced an array of innovations — rubber casting molds, which are especially durable and produce higher quality results, and white metal alloys, which affordably mimic the look of more precious materials — that would become the standard for costume jewelry. During World War II, Ciner’s advanced molding technology was utilized by the U.S. military to produce munitions and tools. This arrangement gave the firm access to the heavily rationed metals it needed for its jewels, enabling it again to endure conditions that drove others into bankruptcy.
The company hit its stride in the 1960s, when its jewelry was sold at some of the country’s toniest stores, even garnering an Andy Warhol–illustrated ad for Bonwit Teller. Its pieces were worn by the era’s brightest stars. In the famous 1957 Joe Shere photo of Sophia Loren sneering at Jayne Mansfield’s décolletage, Mansfield is resplendent in shoulder-grazing Ciner earrings.
Ciner is unique among costume jewelers in that its pieces aren’t imitations — they are coveted in their own right. Elizabeth Taylor, a voracious jewelry collector with a taste for the very finest, was a longtime client. Several suites of Ciner jewels were included in the 2011 Christie’s sale of Taylor’s collection, with one group of rhinestone-studded ear clips and a bracelet fetching $15,600 — more than 100 times the auction estimate. It’s a reminder of a time, not so long ago, when women of great style wore fine and costume jewelry with equal aplomb, often at the same time.
Today, Ciner — now run by Emanuel Ciner’s granddaughter Pat Ciner Hill and great-granddaughter Jean Hill — continues to adhere to the same exacting production specifications. It is the only jewelry house in New York, and likely the United States, that manufactures all its pieces entirely in-house. Each begins with dozens of elements that are cast in rubber molds and then individually filed and polished, plated in a particularly thick layer of 18-karat gold or rhodium, assembled on the bench and painted with enamel or set with stones. Every step is performed by hand by craftsmen, many of whom have been with the company for more than 30 years.
Find vintage Ciner clip-on earrings, choker necklaces, bracelets and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Alpharetta, GA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Clip-on EarringsBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in New York, NYVintage Yves Saint Laurent Clip-on Earrings made of multi-colored crystals in a silver-tone frame Marked. Length – 3,3 cm Condition – very good ........Additional information ....Category
Late 20th Century French Retro Clip-on Earrings
- Yves Saint Laurent Vintage Heart Clip-On Earrings, 1980sBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in New York, NYYves Saint Laurent Vintage Heart Clip-On Earrings Gold-Tone Metal Length: 1.75″ / 5 cm Width: 1.75″ / 5 cm Signed Condition – very good ........Additional information ........ ...Category
Vintage 1980s French Romantic Clip-on Earrings
- Yves Saint Lauren Vintage Resin African Collection Drop clip-on Earrings, 1967By Yves Saint LaurentLocated in New York, NYVintage massive ivory and dark-brown resin drop earrings by Yves Saint Laurent. Features openwork dangling circles. Gold-tone metal clip-on closure. Signed. YSL mark on the clasp. ...Category
Vintage 1960s French British Colonial Clip-on Earrings
- Elsa Schiaparelli vintage clip-on earrings, 1970sBy Elsa SchiaparelliLocated in New York, NYElsa Schiaparelli vintage clip-on earrings made of silver-tone structural metal and black plastic. Measurements – 3,5 x 2 cm Condition – very good ........Additional information ...Category
Late 20th Century French Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
- Vintage Karl Lagerfeld Button Style Logo Clip-on Earrings, 1990sBy Karl LagerfeldLocated in New York, NYKarl Lagerfeld gold-tone matte finish button style clip-on earrings featuring KL logo. Signed. Period: 1990s Condition: Excellent. Length: 4 cm Width: 4 cm ........Additional i...Category
1990s French Clip-on Earrings
- Vintage Chanel Gold Plated Clover Clip-on Earrings, 1970sBy ChanelLocated in New York, NYVintage Chanel gold plated clip-on earrings featuring the four leaf clover, one of Gabrielle Chanel’s lucky charms. Signed. Chanel. Period: 1970s Diameter: 3,5cm Condition: very go...Category
Vintage 1970s French Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsGold Plate
- Signed Trifari Vintage Rhinestone Set of Floral Clip on Earrings & PinBy TrifariLocated in Jacksonville, FLEmbrace the timeless elegance of Trifari craftsmanship with our exquisite Vintage Rhinestone Floral Pin and Earrings Set. This captivating ensemble exudes sophistication and grace, showcasing the renowned artistry that Trifari is celebrated for. The centerpiece of the set is the Rhinestone Floral Pin, measuring 2.25 inches in length. The pin features a stunning arrangement of rhinestone-encrusted flowers, meticulously crafted to create a dazzling display of brilliance. The intricate design and sparkling rhinestones add an enchanting allure to this vintage treasure. Complementing the pin are the matching Rhinestone Floral Earrings, measuring 1.13 inches in length. These earrings showcase the same captivating design as the pin, with rhinestone-encrusted flowers that elegantly dangle from hypoallergenic hooks. The earrings beautifully frame your face and provide a touch of glamour to any ensemble. Crafted with attention to detail and using high-quality materials, this Vintage Trifari Rhinestone Floral Pin and Earrings Set exudes a sense of refined luxury, perfect for special occasions or to add a touch of sophistication to your everyday attire. Indulge in the nostalgia of vintage aesthetics and elevate your style with this timeless Trifari set...Category
20th Century American Art Deco Clip-on Earrings
- Ornate Gilt Tiger Clip-On EarringsLocated in Palm Springs, CAOrnate French "metal dore" gilt metal clip-on earrings depicting a tiger face.Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Artisan Clip-on Earrings
- Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Oversized Hammered Heart Dangling EarringsBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Nice, FRYVES SAINT LAURENT vintage oversized matte gold toned heart dangling earrings (clip-on) featuring an hammered design. Embossed YSL Made in France. Indicative measurements : height ...Category
20th Century French Dangle Earrings
MaterialsGilt Metal
- Kalinger Paris Dangle Clip Earrings Gilt Metal and Brown ResinBy KalingerLocated in Atlanta, GAElegant Kalinger Paris dangling clip-on earrings. Oversized geometric shape featuring gilt metal framing and a large dangle ball in chocolate resin imitating wood all carved and text...Category
Vintage 1980s French Modernist Dangle Earrings
MaterialsGilt Metal
- Pop Art Clip-on Earrings Cream White Lucite with Gilt TextureLocated in Atlanta, GAThese charming French Artisan Studio Lucite clip-on earrings feature a typical Pop Art design with a large triangle shape and textured pattern. The assorted tone of ivory/cream-white...Category
Vintage 1960s French Modernist Clip-on Earrings
- Kalinger Paris Gilt Resin Clip Earrings Sun DesignBy KalingerLocated in Atlanta, GAThese elegant Kalinger Paris clip-on earrings feature an oversized heavily domed shape with gilt metal-coated resin with a sun-carved design pattern. There is no visible signature. M...Category
Vintage 1980s French Modernist Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsGilt Metal