Ciner Vermeil Heart and Bow Pin Brooch, Citrine and Ruby Crystals, Sterling
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:Gold Plate,Vermeil,Sterling Silver
- Stone:Crystal
- Weight:20 g
- Dimensions:Height: 2.4 in (60.96 mm)Width: 2 in (50.8 mm)
- Style:Retro
- Place of Origin:United States
- Period:20th Century
- Date of Manufacture:20th Century
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Milford, DE
- 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: Milford, DE
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Vintage Blue AB Crystal Demi Parure, Pin & Clip On Earrings, Aurora BorealisLocated in Milford, DEBrooch size: 1.75 inches Earring size: 0.75 inches each Indulge in the timeless elegance of our vintage blue crystal demi parure, featuring a mesmerizing brooch and matching clip-on...Category
Mid-20th Century American Retro Brooches
MaterialsCrystal
- Vintage Icy Clear Aurora Borealis Crystal Cluster Oval Brooch, Silver ToneLocated in Milford, DEAdd a touch of vintage sparkle to your ensemble with this clear aurora borealis crystal cluster oval brooch. This exquisite piece showcases a radiant cluster of Aurora Borealis cryst...Category
Mid-20th Century American Retro Brooches
MaterialsCrystal
- Antique Art Deco Crystal Tassel Pin in Silver Tone, Clear CrystalsLocated in Milford, DESize: 2.25" x 1.75" (inches) Step back in time with this glamorous vintage Art Deco pin, a true representation of the opulence and style of the roaring twenties. This piece boasts a...Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Brooches
MaterialsCrystal
- Florenza Icy Blue Aurora Borealis Demi Parure, Brooch Pin, Clip on EarringsBy FlorenzaLocated in Milford, DEBrooch size: 2.5 inches Earring size: 1.25 inches each Discover the enchanting allure of the Florenza demi parure, a stunning set that includes clip-on earrings and a matching pin. ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Retro Brooches
- Vintage Signed Rose Swarovski Topaz Crystal Dog Pin, Gold Finish, Black EnamelBy SwarovskiLocated in Milford, DEUnveil some vintage charm with this exquisite Swarovski topaz crystal dog pin. This pooch's glowing golden finish perfectly complements the pave topaz crystals, adding a touch of luxury to your ensemble. The pin’s eyes and nose are delicately painted with black enamel, bringing the character to life. On the reverse, you’ll find the Swarovski Swan logo alongside playful bone markings, a nod to the piece’s whimsical spirit. Compact and versatile, the pin measures a quaint 1.25 inches (3.175 cm) in height, making it an ideal accessory for any outfit. Whether you’re dressing up for a special occasion or adding a sparkle to your everyday look, this Swarovski dog...Category
Late 20th Century American Retro Brooches
MaterialsCrystal, Enamel
- Miriam Haskell Victorian-Inspired Vintage Pin Brooch, Open Center, Gold FinishBy Miriam HaskellLocated in Milford, DEDiscover the elegance of the Victorian era with this vintage brooch, inspired by the time period known for its sophistication and ornamentation. The brooch, oval in shape and featu...Category
Mid-20th Century American Victorian Brooches
- One of a Kind 18 Karat White Gold Diamonds Blue Pink Sapphires Butterfly BroochBy FRALEONILocated in Rome, IT18 kt. white gold brooch with 4.84 carat of round-cut diamonds ( H-I color - VVS1-VVS2 ) and 39.26 carat of double rose-cut blue and pink sapphires. This one of a kind brooch...Category
2010s Italian Modern Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
- 18 Karat Yellow Gold Multicolored Sapphire Diamonds Flower BroochBy FRALEONILocated in Rome, IT18 kt. yellow gold brooch with 8.91 ct. of round cut diamonds and 33.15 ct. of round and oval cut multicolored sapphires. This classic brooch is hand-made in Italy. The brooch can al...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- 1970 Lunati 18 kt Gold Bird Of Paradise BroochLocated in Palermo, ITGold brooch with Blue enamel and 0.60-carat diamonds, Italian manufacture Lunati. Tear-off security closure Approximate size: Very large, 12 cm A stunning piece of wearable art. The ...Category
Vintage 1970s European Retro Brooches
MaterialsWhite Diamond, 18k Gold
- Vintage Ruby and Diamond Flower BroochLocated in Armadale, VictoriaIntroducing a timeless piece of elegance: the 18ct White Gold Large Ruby And Diamond Flower Brooch. Crafted circa 1960, this exquisite accessory exudes vintage charm and sophisticati...Category
Mid-20th Century Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby
- Victorian Burma Sapphire 4.60ct Certificated Untreated, Pearl, Ruby Bee/Insect/BLocated in London, GBAn exceptional, exquisite and well preserved Victorian brooch in the form of a bee with ruby eyes, sapphire and diamond wings, natural pearl and cabochon natural untreated Burma Sapp...Category
Antique 1850s British Victorian Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, White Diamond, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Pearl, Sapph...
- Diamond Needle, Platinum Art Deco, circa 1920Located in Berlin, DEDiamond needle, Platinum Art Deco around 1920 Classic piece of jewellery or fashion accessory of the Twenties, one liked to see what one could afford. This, however, in a simple ele...Category
Vintage 1920s German Art Deco Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, 14k Gold, Platinum