A Stunning Art Deco Cocktail Ring
View Similar Items
A Stunning Art Deco Cocktail Ring
About the Item
- Creator:
- Style:
- Place of Origin:United States
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1920's
- Condition:Very good vintage condition with slight discoloration to a few of the white pastes.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU13060337775
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.
- Early K.J.L. Demi-ParureBy Kenneth Jay LaneLocated in New York, NYAn early and rare KJL demi parure comprising a Maltese Cross brooch and matching earrings in exceptional colors. The brooch with alternating blue and purple prong-set glass cabochons...Category
Vintage 1960s American Brooches
- Gilt Metal Necklace attributed to Robert GoosensBy Robert GoossensLocated in New York, NYFabulous Vintage Gilt Metal triple chain Necklace with a turquoise art glass drop on one hand and and slide on the other. Two smaller gilt hands are on the back side of the necklace....Category
20th Century French Multi-Strand Necklaces
- Stunning Victorian Revival Festoon NecklaceLocated in New York, NYA Truly Spectacular Victorian Revival Festoon Necklace with textured gilt brass links and turquoise art glass drops. Largest drop is 04.90 long.Category
Vintage 1930s American Drop Necklaces
- Trifari Fur Clip Brooch with Floral Crystals by Alfred Philippe circa 1930'sBy Alfred Philippe for TrifariLocated in New York, NYRare 1930's Trifari Fur Clip Brooch by Alfred Philippe with lush gold leaves nestled with blue and white sparkling crystal flowers. Produced from 1936-39, model number 115294, this ...Category
Vintage 1930s American Brooches
MaterialsCrystal, Gilt Metal
- Deco Chunky Bakelite NecklaceLocated in New York, NYFabulous Vintage bakelite piece in a yellow amber color on a topaz bakelite chain. Great movement when you wear this incredible design of multi facete...Category
Vintage 1940s American Drop Necklaces
- English Victorian Silver and Enamel Norths and Hunts PendantLocated in New York, NYA Stunning Large English Victorian Pendant with raised lettering, "Norths and Hunts" and two enamel flags ending in a wreath design. Beautiful craftsmanship of what is most likely a...Category
Antique 1880s British Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsSilver, Enamel
- 17.50 Carat Natural Oval-Cut Amethysts & White Diamond Pink Gold Engagement RingLocated in Hong Kong, HK17.50 Carat Natural Oval-Cut Amethysts and White Diamond Pink Gold Ring: A beautiful ring, it features numerous oval-cut natural amethysts weighing 17.50 carat embellished with whit...Category
2010s Hong Kong Modern Cocktail Rings
MaterialsAmethyst, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
$4,640 Sale Price20% OffFree Shipping - Natural Vivid Colored Spinels & Diamond 6 Stone Cocktail Ring, Strong ColorsLocated in Hong Kong, HKPlease check out the HD video. Here is a bright vivid colored Spinels and diamond cocktail ring. The ring is set in 18k white gold, spinels and diamonds. Out of 300 cts of spinels (l...Category
2010s Hong Kong Cocktail Rings
MaterialsDiamond, White Diamond, Spinel, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
- 2.90 Carat Emerald Cut Natural Blue Indicolite Tourmaline Emerald Cut Kunar MineLocated in Peshawar, PKGorgeous Loose Indicolite Tourmaline Weight: 2.90 Carats Dimension: 8.7x7.1x4.9 Mm Origin; Kunar Afghanistan Mine Color: Blue Shape: Emerald Treatment: Non Certificate: On Demand Ind...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Afghan Arts and Crafts Cocktail Rings
MaterialsTourmaline, Indicolite, Steel, Stainless Steel, Titanium, Rose Gold, Whi...
- Diamond Heart Cocktail Ring 0.50 Carat, G, VS in 18 Karat Yellow GoldLocated in Honolulu, HIBeautiful vintage diamond cocktail ring in 18K yellow gold. The ring features a heart design pave' set with round diamonds totaling 0.50 ct. All the diamonds are G - H in color and V...Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Cocktail Rings
MaterialsDiamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- 18 Karat Gold 5.15 Carat Pear-Cut Aquamarine and Diamond Cocktail Statement RingBy Gems ParadiseLocated in Jaipur, IN18 Karat Gold 5.15 Carat Pear-Cut Aquamarine and Diamond Cocktail Statement Ring This sensational Santa maria aquamarine and diamond cluster broad cocktail ring is extraordinary. Th...Category
2010s Indian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
MaterialsAquamarine, Diamond, White Gold, Gold, Rose Gold
- 6.19 Carat Pear Tanzanite with 0.86 Carats Round Diamond Platinum Cocktail RingLocated in Hamilton, AUForged in Platinum is this unique halo cluster ring featuring a mesmerising pear shape 6.19 carat tanzanite, encompassed by 0.78 carats of sparkling round brilliant cut diamonds. The...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
MaterialsDiamond, Tanzanite, Platinum