Kenneth Jay Lane 1980s Scarab Beetle Necklace
About the Item
- Creator:
- Dimensions:Length: 14 in (355.6 mm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1980-1989
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Scottsdale, AZ
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU167212801112
Kenneth Jay Lane
The father of so-called “fabulous fakes,” Kenneth Jay Lane was a spirited innovator within the jewelry industry, designing elegant and luxurious pieces without the use of real jewels. And while Lane aspired to create classic designs for earrings, bracelets and necklaces intended for everyday wear, his pieces caught the attention of celebrities, royalty and socialites.
From a young age, the Detroit, Michigan-born Lane was a lover of fashion. He studied at the Rhode Island School of Design and the University of Michigan. He pursued a design career in New York City, and a failed start in the art department of Vogue magazine led to a decade of designing shoes for the likes of Delman and Christian Dior.
Lane would occasionally develop shoe designs for friends he had in the fashion world such as Bill Blass and Arnold Scaasi. A show for the latter afforded him the opportunity to beautify shoes with rhinestones and create bangles and earrings to pair with the footwear — he found plastic bracelets at discount variety store and had them embellished by craftspeople at a shoe factory.
A love for costume jewelry design emerged thereafter. Lane created his own collection and admirers such as Jackie Kennedy and Elizabeth Taylor showered him with praise. A pearl necklace he designed was worn by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. In the early 1960s, ready-to-wear pioneer Hattie Carnegie purchased Lane’s jewelry line. Lane was given the position of design director for Carnegie but he soon changed course, moving instead into a small studio and pursuing his own path.
Lane worked with milk glass, gilded silver hardware, faux coral and other materials, and sold pendant necklaces, dangle earrings and modern bracelets to private customers. He was fond of renowned fine jewelry houses Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels and designers such as Jean Schlumberger, and cited having found inspiration in Egyptian and Indian jewelry over the years as well as Art Deco jewelry. Lane’s designs, which he called “faque” and “junque,” became well-known for their distinctive color combinations and clever characteristics such as embroidery. By the time he purchased a small jewelry factory in Providence, Rhode Island, where his accessories would be made during the 1960s, Lane had secured relationships with top Manhattan boutiques and his work had caught the attention of fashion magazines.
Directed by the filmmaker Gisèle Roman, a 2018 documentary about Lane’s life and work called Fabulously Fake: The Real Life of Kenneth Jay Lane features interviews with legendary fashion designers Carolina Herrera, Tory Burch and Diane von Furstenberg.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Kenneth Jay Lane brooches, rings and other accessories.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Scottsdale, AZ
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Chanel CC Gold Tone Perfume Bottle Locket NecklaceBy ChanelLocated in Scottsdale, AZDo not miss out on this brand new 2022 Chanel locket style necklace with the most stunning iconic Chanel perfume bottle pendent! A beautiful white gold i...Category
2010s Italian Pendant Necklaces
- Lawrence Vrba Huge Lux Bee Statement NecklaceBy Lawrence VrbaLocated in Scottsdale, AZYou won't be bugged out by this beautifully crafted piece of artwork! Who knew bugs could be so cute? Lawrence Vrba does it again. Vrba had been making jewelry for over 40 years and ...Category
Vintage 1980s American Pendant Necklaces
- Coin Solid Gold King Edward Vll NecklaceLocated in Scottsdale, AZThis will be your next favorite everyday necklace to add to your collection! You will be reaching for this everyday whether it be getting ready for work or a date-night. This really is a super versatile find! This is the perfect size and with its simple design, it will easily take you from day to night with a change of an outfit. They have a super simple shape but some highly coveted details like the double-sided coin and the metalwork around the coin. Adding the right jewelry can take an outfit from zero to hero! This vintage coin necklace...Category
Antique Early 1900s Pendant Necklaces
- Embellished Tiger Pendant Chain NecklaceLocated in Scottsdale, AZGet your hands on an amazing vintage necklace today! This necklace has a large tiger pendant that measures 3.75 inches by 1.5 inches and is completely embellished in clear and black crystals with fierce green crystals for the eyes. As we all know, tigers are seen as powerful and courageous creatures. By wearing this amazing necklace you are choosing to embody some of the best qualities like strength, courage, determination, and success. Throw on this necklace when you need help living up to your fullest potential! This necklace is in great condition with much life to live with no missing crystals. Put this necklace on and it will be the outft! Everything will be easy after that. Try paring with a white Prada tank top...Category
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
- CHRISTIAN DIOR Dog Tag Charm Logo Necklace Galliano EraBy John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in Scottsdale, AZSnag this beautiful and edgy vintage Galliano CHRISTIAN DIOR logo dog tag necklace. Show some love to the unmatched Dior with this charm necklace! Featuring ten charm pendants that has "DIOR / NEW LOOK / 00001947" engraved and a delicate "D" charm near the closure. The devil is in the details. Pair this necklace with a vintage sporty...Category
1990s French Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsGold
- Amethyst & Tourmaline 14k Gold Choker Pendant NecklaceLocated in Scottsdale, AZBeautiful 14k Gold choker necklace with a removable pendant that features Cabochon cut Amethyst, Pink Tourmaline and Green Tourmaline. 38.09g in total...Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsAmethyst, Tourmaline, 14k Gold
- 18 Karat White Gold Chain Necklace with Rectangular Diamonds PendantLocated in Rome, IT18 karat white gold chain necklace with rectangular pendant diamonds and four round diamonds The pendant has five baguette cut diamonds and 28 round cut diamonds all around The chai...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Diamond Pendant Necklace TriangleBy Wesley Kloss Fine JewelryLocated in Cleveland, OHThe Diamond Formation Triangle Pendant Necklace holds a conflict-free 3mm diamond at the center of its beveled surface. Paired with a delicate 1mm Italian made chain in 16”. This pen...Category
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold
- Citrine Bonbon NecklaceBy Emily KuvinLocated in New York, NYWhen you just need a little something sweet, our Bonbon Necklace is just the thing. Here, with yellow citrine. Plays well alone or with others. 18" chain with additional clasp optio...Category
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsCitrine, 14k Gold
- Emily Kuvin Gold, Diamond, Lapis and Turquoise Statement NecklaceBy Emily KuvinLocated in New York, NYStunning times three. Our Piccolo Grand Stella Necklace in warm yellow gold features a lapis lazuli in our center organic shape Stella star and accenting Stellina stars, completed wi...Category
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, 14k Gold
- Amethyst Bonbon NecklaceBy Emily KuvinLocated in New York, NYWhen you just need a little something sweet, our Bonbon Necklace is just the thing. Here, with amethyst. Plays well alone or with others. 18" chain with additional clasp options at ...Category
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsAmethyst, 14k Gold
- Emily Kuvin Gold and Diamond Star NecklaceBy Emily KuvinLocated in New York, NYAdd a little sparkle! Classic, contemporary and stunning. Our iconic matte yellow gold organic star shape Stellina necklace features our signature diamond dusting and a stunning 0.25 cttw diamond center. Hanging on a delicate gold chain...Category
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, 14k Gold