Ciner Gold Tone and Rhinestone Shell Statement Brooch circa 1980s
About the Item
- Creator:
- Dimensions:Width: 1.42 in (36.07 mm)Depth: 0.67 in (17.02 mm)Length: 2.48 in (63 mm)
- Place of Origin:United States
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:Unknown
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU85533514283
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: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Ermani Bulatti Antiqued Silver Tone Clear Glass Rhinestones Brooch circa 1980sLocated in London, GBErmani Bulatti antiqued silver tone brooch in an Art Nouveau style design, and featuring clear rhinestones. Measuring length 8.1 cm / 3.1 inches by width 4.8 cm / 1.8 inch. This is ...Category
Late 20th Century Dutch Brooches
- Gold Plated Leopard Brooch with Clear and Black Rhinestones circa 1980sLocated in London, GBStylish gold plated leopard brooch, featuring faceted black and clear rhinestones. Measuring length 6.8cm / 2.67 inches by width 3.3cm / 1.3 inches. The brooch is in very good condit...Category
Vintage 1980s English Brooches
- Art Deco Large Early Plastic Oval Black and Amber Cameo BroochLocated in London, GBBeautiful large oval black and amber early plastic cameo brooch. Measuring 7 cm / 2.75 inches by 5.5 cm / 2.1 inches. There is scratching as expected and wear to the back. The fasten...Category
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Brooches
- Japanned Blue and Green Crystal Flower Brooch and Leaf Clip On Earrings 1960sLocated in London, GBJapanned electric blue and emerald green crystal flower brooch and leaf clip on earrings. The brooch measures diameter 5 cm / 1.9 inches. The earrings are 3.1 cm / 1.2 inch by 1.9 cm...Category
Vintage 1960s Unknown Brooches
- Miriam Haskell Russian Gold Plated Ornate Flower and Leaf BroochBy Miriam HaskellLocated in London, GBMiriam Haskell beautiful Russian gold plated brooch, with a lovely ornate flower and leaf design. Measuring diameter 5.2 cm / 2 inches. The brooch is in very good condition. This is...Category
Vintage 1970s American Brooches
- Czech Gilt Metal and Pink Glass Floral Brooch circa 1930sLocated in London, GBBeautiful Czech gilt metal floral brooch, with lovely pink glass stones. Measuring length 5.9 cm / 2.3 inches by 4.8 cm / 1.8 inches. The brooch is in very good condition. There is w...Category
Vintage 1930s Czech Brooches
- Coral, Rubies, Diamonds, Rose Gold and Silver Brooch/Pendant.Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)SHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). PS: THIS POLICY IS NOT APPLICABLE...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Retro Brooches
MaterialsCoral, Diamond, Ruby, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
- David Webb Platinum 40 Carat Diamond Feather Set of Two BroochesBy David WebbLocated in New York, NYPair of impressive platinum and 18k gold leaf brooches by David Webb, with a total of approximately 40 carats in round and baguette cut H/VS-SI1 d...Category
20th Century American Modern Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Platinum
- David Webb circa 1960 Green Emeralds, Diamonds Vintage BroochBy David WebbLocated in New York, NYDavid Webb platinum brooch crafted with carved green emeralds and dimaonds. An impressive dress brooch of approx. 3 inches in length execute...Category
20th Century American Modern Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Emerald, Platinum
- David Webb Platinum 40.00 Carat Old Cut Diamond BroochBy David WebbLocated in New York, NYOf particular interest and rarity this David Webb mid-century floral brooch enhanced old-cut diamonds mounted moustly in Platinum with just a few yellow gold petal accents. Total car...Category
20th Century American Modern Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
- Emilio Jewelry Gia Certified 41.00 Carat Natural Fancy Color Diamond BroochBy Emilio!Located in New York, NYFrom The Museum Vault at Emilio Jewelry Located on New York's iconic Fifth Avenue, Showcasing a very special and rare butterfly brooch hand made by Emilio Artisans, specializing in bringing out the maximum potential of each and every natural fancy color diamond. We specialize in creating special mountings for color diamonds that will increase the color and bring it out the maximum potential of the center. center: over 5ct Gia certified shield additional natural green pink orange diamonds...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches
MaterialsPink Diamond
- Emilio Jewelry Multi Color Flower BroochBy Emilio!Located in New York, NYFrom the vault at Emilio Jewelry Located on New York's iconic 5th Avenue, Main Stone: Sapphire over 1.70 carat Blue (Cornflower Blue), Pink 2.00 + carat, Tsavorite 1.11 carat, Tsavor...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches