In the mid-1950s, there were children who read comic books and built forts and then there was Barry Kieselstein-Cord, a now-critically acclaimed New York City–born jewelry designer whose early hobbies included carving totem poles.
In fact, Kieselstein-Cord was proficient at carving by the time he was eight years old. His hobby fueled what would become deep interests in Native American art and in the natural world around him. Kieselstein-Cord made more carvings, and eventually began to explore metalwork and craft jewelry in his teens. Today he creates rings, necklaces and other jewelry and accessories so divine that they are as much wearable sculptures as they are personal adornment.
Kieselstein-Cord studied at Parsons School of Design and the American Craft Institute. He has long been enamored of illustration, architecture, photography and other disciplines, and even as a world-renowned jeweler, Kieselstein-Cord has always considered his true identity as a sculptor. ”I don’t make jewelry; I do sculptures for the body,” he has said.
Kieselstein-Cord designed his first sterling silver collection in 1972, and a year later, the collection was presented for sale at Georg Jensen’s Manhattan flagship store. Kieselstein-Cord’s partnership with the legendary Danish silverware firm meant that his work would reach an international audience. It was also around this time that the designer began to work with fashion titans Perry Ellis and Calvin Klein.
By the late 1970s, Kieselstein-Cord had begun to integrate gold and gemstones into his work. During this decade he designed much-lauded belt buckles, and some of his most sought-after collections — including Crocodile, Pompeii and Borgia — followed a decade later. On today’s secondary market, those 1980s-era designs are enjoying a resurgence. Names like Henry Dunay and Kieselstein-Cord are being reappraised as icons of contemporary design.
Tom Hanks, Oprah Winfrey, Sir Elton John, Jack Nicholson, Barack Obama and Giorgio Armani are all known collectors of Kieselstein-Cord’s work. His designs have found their way into the Louvre in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
On 1stDibs find a collection of vintage Barry Kieselstein-Cord belts, earrings, bracelets, handbags and other jewelry and accessories.
Vintage Kieselstein-Cord 18k Gold Carved Carnelian Intaglio Signet Ring
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An 18k gold signet ring by Kieselstein-Cord featuring an oval carved carnelian intaglio depicting a heraldic crest. The ring is designed with the brand’s signature fleur-de-lys–inspi...
Carnelian, 18k Gold
Silver Intaglio Men's Ring with Roman Profile Portrait 1st-3rd Century AD
Located in Firenze, IT
Period: 1st-3rd century AD Top size: 21 mm Size 9 ½ Weight 18.84 gr The intaglio of Roman production dates to the I-III century AD and is made in silver with a particular decoration...
Silver
Byzantine Bronze Ring With Busts Of St. Peter And St. Paul Ca. 4th-7th Century
Located in Firenze, IT
Period: 4th – 7th Century A.D Provenance: Italy Ring size: 11 Weight: 8.23 gr This bronze ring is attributable to the Byzantine manufacture of the IV-VII century, in which the uppe...
Bronze
18kt Yellow Gold And Silver Intaglio Cupid Men's Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
Depicting Cupid riding a seahorse Top Lenght size 23mm Size 9 Weight : 34,19gr.
Yellow Gold, Silver
19th Century Gold and Agate Cameo Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
Oval, depicting the profile of a man with curling hair, facing left, wearing robes, within a yellow gold mount, cameo length 2.3cm, width 1.7cm, ring size 7 1/2
Agate, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
2.06 Cts Emerald & Diamond Ring in 18k Yellow Gold
By GEM PLAZA
Located in Jaipur, Rajasthan
Its an exclusive Emerald 2.06 cts & Diamond 0.1 ring studded in 18k Yellow gold this entire ring is studded in 18k White gold , ring size can be change as per the requirement, i...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Hardstone Cameo of a Man Ring 19th Century
Located in Firenze, IT
The portrait head, facing right, with short hair and clean shaven, in a later ring mount, ring size 8 length 29mm, width 16mm
Agate, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Ancient Roman Gold Banded Agate Intaglio Ring Of A Sea Hare And Shell
Located in Firenze, IT
Period: 3rd century Ring size: 7 Weight: 4 gr The Roman intaglio of the Third century is made of agate and inserted in a gold frame characterized by a decoration with side volutes t...
Agate, Gold, 22k Gold
The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Memorial Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
Depicting the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards coat of arms with the inscription Waterloo, most likely done to commemorate the victory of Wellington against Napo...
Yellow Gold
Gold Ring Featuring A Roman Silver Denarius Of Emperor Vespasian 69 CE - 79 CE
Located in Firenze, IT
This genuine Ancient Roman silver coin of Emperor Vespasian has been mounted in a stunning modern 18 Karat gold ring. Size : 8 Weight: 11.08 T. Flavius Vespasianus was barn at Falac...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Gold
Late 19th Century Gold Agate Seal Signet Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
Period: Late 19th century. Provenance: Austrian. Size: 8. Lenght: 2.3 cm. Weight: 17 gr. A yellow gold signet ring presenting an oval bicoloured agate (grey and bourdeaux) with a co...
Agate, Gold, 14k Gold
Armorial Signet Ring Late 17th Century
Located in Firenze, IT
Engraved with the crest to a plain band. Size 9 Top size 22m diameter Weight: 25gr
Silver
18kt Yellow Gold and Agate Cameo Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
Yellow gold ring, adorned with a cameo on agate representing three male profiles probably Italian poets ( Dante Alighieri, Ludovico Ariosto e Giovan Battista Marino). Ring size: 7 ...
Agate, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Kieselstein Cord Ring 18k Gold Green Tourmaline Intaglio
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
DESIGNER: Barry Kieselstein-Cord CIRCA: 1992 MATERIALS: 18K Gold GEMSTONE: Green Tourmaline WEIGHT: 18.8 Grams RING SIZE: 7 MEASUREMENT: Top - 3/8" x 9/16" HALLMARKS: 1992, Kiesels...
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
1993 Kieselstein-Cord 1.25 CT Round Brilliant Diamond Sapphire Ruby Band Ring
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Gorgeous large diamond, sapphire, and ruby ring by designer Kieselstein-Cord handcrafted in 18 karat green gold. The ring features a bezel set round brilliant cut diamond weighing ap...
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Kieselstein Cord Heliodor Golden Beryl Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Flower Ring
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering a rectangular step cut heliodor beryl gemstone weighing approximately 2.70 carats Transparent with strong orangey yellow color Surrounded by a diamond halo with round bri...
Diamond, White Diamond, Beryl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Kieselstein-Cord Platinum Green Tourmaline Cocktail Ring
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Dallas, TX
This platinum ring features a large apx. 35 cts. Tourmaline and .33 carats of diamonds. The top of the ring measures 1/2 inch wide and 3/4 inches long. It weighs 25.2 grams and the r...
Barry Kieselstein-Cord Gold Winking Sun Moon Ring
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in New York, NY
Authentic Barry Kieselstein-Cord ring crafted in satin finish 18 karat yellow gold features a charming winking sun/moon design. Signed B. Kieselstein Cord, 18K, 1990, with hallmarks....
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Barry Kieselstein Sterling Silver Stallion Ring
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Cincinnati, OH
By designer B. Kieselstein- this ring is perfect for anyone, especially those who love horses! Sterling silver. Oval stallion in running position. Top of ring approximately 23.5mm ...
Sterling Silver
Kieselstein Cord Gold Ring
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Darnestown, MD
Wonderful tailored design ring by Barry Kieselstein Cord. The ring is 5/8" at the front and tapers to 5/16" at the back making it very comfortable to wear. It is hallmarked both insi...
18k Gold
Barry Kieselstein Cord Alligator Ring Blue Chalcedony Sterling 14 Karat Gold
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Torrance, CA
Estate Barry Kieselstein Cord blue chalcedony alligator ring, crafted in sterling silver and 14 karat yellow gold. Blue chalcedony is cabochon cut measuring 8mm. The chalcedony is ...
Chalcedony, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
Barry Kieselstein-Cord Frog with Diamonds Ring 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in MIAMI, FL
Kieselstein-Cord frog wide band ring with round diamonds in 18 karat yellow gold. Made in 2001. Ring size 7.5. Approximately .45 total carat weight. The width is 15 mm and weight is ...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Kieselstein-Cord 3.05 Carat Andalusite Tourmaline 18 Karat Gold Band Ring
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a wide band ring with deeply ridged edges and matte gold finish Centering a bezel set oval mixed cut andalusite weighing approximately 2.55 carats Andalusite displays i...
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
B. Kieselstein Cord Diamond Lemon Citrine 18 Karat Gold Ring
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in New York, NY
B. Kieselstein Cord Diamond Lemon Citrine, 9.70x7.80x5.70 mm crafted in 18 karat yellow gold. Signed B. Kieselstein Cord 2000 stamped 750 with trademark. Ring size 5 1/2. Top of t...
Kiesselstein Cord Peridot, Diamond and Gold Ring
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in New York, NY
An 18 karat yellow gold, peridot and diamond ring, Kiesselstein Cord. Centering a bezel set circular cut peridot, weighing approximately 2.65 carats, within a pave set diamond surrou...
Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold