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
Vintage Moonstone and 9 Carat Gold Signet Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
The stunning moonstone in this ring has the most beautiful blue glow. The setting is ornate and the band is engraved. Hallmarked London 1973. The inside of the ring reads 'Mary 1825'...
Moonstone, Gold, 9k Gold
Vintage 9 Carat Gold Signet Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This signet is modelled in 9ct gold. The colour of the ring is bright yellow gold. Initials 'GJG' engraved onto the face. You will notice the initials are mirrored. Hallmarked London...
Gold
Vintage Bloodstone and 9 Carat Gold Signet Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This gorgeous signet ring has a glossy bloodstone set within the 9carat gold band. The stone is deep green with flecks of red running through. Hallmarked Birmingham 1973. Ring Size...
Gold
Art Deco Ruby and 18 Carat gold Panel Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This gorgeous panel style ring holds a 30pt pink ruby and there are also diamonds. The diamond total of this ring is 14pts and all the stones are set in platinum. Size: Q or 8 Fac...
Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 18 Carat Gold and Carved Carnelian Intaglio Signet Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
An exquisite vintage signet ring set with a carved carnelian intaglio seal. Modelled in 18 carat yellow gold. Ring Size: S or 9 Seal Dimensions: 16x12mm Face Dimensions: 19x15mm ...
Carnelian, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Bloodstone and 9 Carat Gold Signet Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This gorgeous signet ring has a bloodstone set within the 9carat gold band. The stone is deep green with flecks of red running through. Fully hallmarked Birmingham 1964. Ring Size: ...
Gold
Antique Victorian Ring Diamond Pearl Blue Enamel 10k Rose Gold Signet Pinky 5
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed antique Victorian diamond & pearl ring (circa 1880s to 1900s), crafted in 10 karat rose gold. 21 small pearls are set into the mount. One small 0.02 carat old rose ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, 10k Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel
Vintage Sardonyx 15 Carat Gold Signet Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
A superb signet ring, set with a sardonyx stone and modelled in 15 carat yellow gold. Ring Size: R or 8 3/4 Stone Dimensions: 11.5x10mm Weight: 4.1g
Gold
Vintage Garnet Cabochon and 9 Carat Gold Signet Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Sat proud upon a gorgeous glossy 9ct yellow gold band is an equally glossy garnet cabochon stone. The stone nearly spans the whole width of this ring. Made in London 1993, England. ...
Garnet, Gold
Vintage Garnet Cabochon and 9 Carat Gold Signet Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Sat proud upon a gorgeous glossy 9ct yellow gold band is an equally glossy garnet cabochon stone. The stone nearly spans the whole width of this ring. Made in Birmingham 1964, Englan...
Garnet, Gold
1969 Turkish Coin Unisex Men's Ring 25 Kurush solid 22k & 14k Gold ØUS6.5 /4.6gr
Located in SE
A ring with Turkish Coin. Solid 14k Rose Gold band featuring bezel set genuine Turkish solid Ø14mm 22K Yellow Gold 25 Kurush coin minted in 1969. The fa...
14k Gold, 22k Gold
Vintage 14k Nugget Ring with Authentic Mexican Dos Pesos Gold Coin
Located in Miami, FL
A striking and highly collectible Vintage 14k Gold Nugget Ring featuring an authentic Mexican Dos Pesos gold coin securely bezel-set at the center. The ring showcases a bold textured...
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