Ciner Swarovski Crystal Sea Shell Brooch Pin Never Worn -1980s
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:Gilt Metal
- Stone:Crystal
- Stone Cut:Mixed Cut
- Place of Origin:United States
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:Circa 80s
- 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.
- 1860's 14K Gold Victorian Whitby Jet Brooch Bar Pin MCNYLocated in Wallkill, NYA Victorian Jet mourning bar pin with 5 hanging jet balls hanging from a 14K gold bar. Acquired from the Museum of the City of New York. It measures 2.3" long. Balls measure 7.88mm d...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches
Materials14k Gold, Yellow Gold
- R J GRAZIANO Pink FLORAL Brooch Pin New, Never Worn 1980sBy R.J. GrazianoLocated in Wallkill, NYVintage 1980's R.J. GRAZIANO Gold Tone Massive Pink/ Green Blue Floral Brooch Measures 2.75 inches. This is out of a massive collection of Costume Jewelry, Hopi, Zuni, Navajo, Southw...Category
Vintage 1980s Unknown Brooches
- Ciner Brooch Swarovski Crystal Floral AMBER Gold NEW Never worn 1990sBy CinerLocated in Wallkill, NYAnother piece of Stunning Ciner. Amber Swarovski Crystal in the center of a floral brooch. Measuring 2.44 in w x 2.16 in top to bottom. There is a nub that has a factory defect on it...Category
Vintage 1980s American Brooches
MaterialsCrystal, Gold, Gilt Metal
- Gold Filled Blood Red Bohemian Garnet brooch Pin Antique 19th CenturyLocated in Wallkill, NY19th century Bohemian garnet brooch A Early Bohemian Garnet Brooch. Has a gold wash or filled mounting with a floral motif Design. Has a step up...Category
Antique Early 19th Century Czech Georgian Brooches
MaterialsGarnet, Gold-filled
- Victorian Gold & Enamel Mourning Hair Locket Brooch Seed PearlsLocated in Wallkill, NYWonderful VICTORIAN 14K GOLD Mourning Pin Locket. This has a glass back that would have housed a lock of hair or a picture of your loved one that had passed...Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Brooches
MaterialsOnyx, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
- Dominique Aurientis Gripoix Glass Turtle Brooch, Never Worn 1980sLocated in Wallkill, NYAdorable Turtle by Dominique Aurientis Three Gripoix dangles. Turtle measures 2.65 in x 1.65 in. Dominique Aurientis started her career in the Dior atelier...Category
Vintage 1980s French Brooches
MaterialsGilt Metal
- Enamel, 14 Karat Yellow Gold Retrò BroochLocated 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
Antique Early 1800s Italian Retro Brooches
MaterialsGold, 14k Gold, Enamel
- Deco Platinum Brooch Set with 1.0ct of F/VS Baguette + 1.5ct of Round DiamondsBy UnbrandedLocated in London, GBDeco Platinum Brooch Set With 1.0ct of F/VS Baguette + 1.5ct of Round Diamonds. Additional Information: Total Weight: 12.1g Total Diamond Weight: 2.50ct Diamond Colour: E/G Diamond ...Category
20th Century British Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Platinum
- StickpinLocated in Orimattila, FIAccording to the picture. I don't know what material. It's old.Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Early Victorian Brooches
- Vintage Carved Bird Coral Diamond Brooch/Pendant 14 Kt Large SizeLocated in Napoli, ITAntique Coral Treasures This large sized Brooch Pendant is of remarkable beauty, post 1900 – Italian origin Hand crafted of solid 14 KT – marked The body set with a large oval piece of natural Coral...Category
Antique Early 1900s Italian Edwardian Brooches
MaterialsCoral, Diamond, 14k Gold
- Certified Red Coral, Icy Apple Green Jade & Diamond Koi Fish Pendant and BroochLocated in Hong Kong, HKPlease check out the HD video! This item can be used as a pendant or a brooch! This is a very well carved natural red coral Koi fish matched with glowing icy apple green jade and diamonds. There are 2 certificates, one for the natural red coral and one for the natural jadeite. The lines and details of this piece are outstanding. This natural jadeite Jade used...Category
2010s Hong Kong Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsCoral, Diamond, White Diamond, Jade, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Certified Red Coral Icy Apple Green Jade and Diamond Koi Fish Pendant and BroochLocated in Hong Kong, HKPlease check out the HD video! This item can be used as a pendant or a brooch! This is a very well carved natural red coral Koi fish matched with glowing icy apple green jade and diamonds. There are 2 certificates, one for the natural red coral and one for the natural jadeite. The lines and details of this piece are outstanding. This natural jadeite Jade used...Category
2010s Hong Kong Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsCoral, Diamond, White Diamond, Jade, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold