Ciner swarovski Crystal Choker Necklace Gold tone New, Never Worn 1980s
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Stone:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Circa 1980s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Wallkill, NY
- Reference Number:
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: Wallkill, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Ciner Necklace Cabochon Multi Stone Never Worn -1980sBy CinerLocated in Wallkill, NYStunning Ciner Necklace purchased in the late 1980s. Large Facated stones in a white & yellow Gold tone Gilt. Price tag still attached from Neiman Marcus. Measuring .75 in. wide x 17...Category
Vintage 1980s American Choker Necklaces
MaterialsGilt Metal
- Vintage Opaque Clear Glass Bib Tear Drop Vintage Necklace 1940sLocated in Wallkill, NYStunning choker necklace with teardrop glass beading. Has a light iridescent to it. Measuring 15mm x 11.9 @ the widest- 7.64 Rounds. Total length is 16.5in. This is a stunning vintag...Category
Vintage 1940s Choker Necklaces
- Ciner Swarovski Necklace Crystal Encrusted Gold tone 1990sBy CinerLocated in Wallkill, NYStunning Ciner Encrusted with Swarovski Crystals. This is a New old stock Ciner Necklace. Measuring 17 INCHES end to end. This is out of a massive collection of Hopi, Zuni, Navajo, ...Category
1990s American Choker Necklaces
MaterialsCrystal, Gilt Metal
- Ciner Necklace Green Blue & Yellow swarovski Crystal New, Never Worn -1980sBy CinerLocated in Wallkill, NYLarge Multicolored Swarovski Crystals on this Stunning Ciner Choker Measuring .25 inches wide x .16 inches long. This is a Stationery curved choker, does not lay out flat. Matching e...Category
Vintage 1980s American Choker Necklaces
MaterialsCrystal, Gilt Metal
- Les Bernard Encrusted Crystal Choker Necklace Never Worn - VintageBy Les BernardLocated in Wallkill, NYStunning layers and layers of crystals on the Les Bernard Necklace. Measuring .77 in wide with a Fold over clasp. 16 in Choker length. New Old Stock, never worn. This is out of a mas...Category
Vintage 1960s American Choker Necklaces
MaterialsGilt Metal
- 1990s Philippe Ferrandis Gripoix Glass and Stone Choker Necklace New Never wornBy Philippe FerrandisLocated in Wallkill, NYFerrandis Pastel glass Cabochons set in a gold plated necklace. This piece is from the start of his career in the late 80s early 90s. Has wonderful greens and blues glass, some yello...Category
1990s French Choker Necklaces
MaterialsGilt Metal
- Eye-catching Collar Coral NecklaceLocated in רמת גן, ILPackage Contents: ~ Diamond Ring ~ Invoice ~ Certificate * (if available) ~ Dianoche Jewellery Box SKU: GMJ-011-Coral NecklaceCategory
2010s Israeli Choker Necklaces
MaterialsCoral
- 22.20tcw Fine Quality Colombian Pear Emerald & Diamond Accent Statement NecklaceLocated in Jupiter, FLDisplayed is an extraordinary and large Muzo green Colombian emerald and diamond statement necklace. A substantial, earth-mined emerald weighs 9.90 carats and is bezel set in sleek, ...Category
2010s Colombian Art Deco Choker Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- 23.06tcw AAA+ Top Grade Emerald & Diamond Sleek Statement Necklace Gold 18KLocated in Jupiter, FLDisplayed is an investment quality, vivid Muzo green Colombian emerald and diamond statement necklace. An extraordinary 3.85 carat, earth-mined emeral...Category
2010s Colombian Art Deco Choker Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- 23.06tcw AAA+ Investment Grade Colombia Emerald & Diamond Statement Necklace 18KLocated in Jupiter, FLDisplayed is an investment quality, vivid Muzo green Colombian emerald and diamond statement necklace. An extraordinary 3.85 carat, earth-mined emeral...Category
2010s Colombian Art Deco Choker Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
- 18.30tcw AAA+ Natural Colombian Emerald & Diamond Accent Bib Necklace Gold 18KLocated in Jupiter, FLAn exquisite Colombian emerald & diamond jewelry set. This necklace showcases 15 Muzo green, pear-shaped, emeralds. Each emerald is hand selected and perfectly matched. One hundred f...Category
2010s Colombian Art Deco Choker Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- 18.00tcw AAA+ Colombian Emerald Heart & Diamond Tennis Lariat Necklace 18KLocated in Jupiter, FLDisplayed is an incandescent, Muzo green Colombian emerald heart and diamond lariat/tennis necklace. Investment grade, earth-mined emeralds weigh a total of 5.50 carats and are bezel set in diamond pave, handmade setting. One hundred eighty-three diamonds are expertly matched and dance their way around the 18K gold tennis necklace...Category
2010s Colombian Art Deco Choker Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Emerald, 18k Gold