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Ciner Furniture

American

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.

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Creator: Ciner
Ciner Gold Plated Cabochon Rhinestone Moghul Jewels Of India Earring Brooch Set
By Ciner
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful "Ciner" Gold Plated Cabochon Rhinestone Moghul Jewels Of India Earrings & Brooch Set
Category

20th Century French Modern Ciner Furniture

Materials

Crystal

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Ciner furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Ciner furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of stone and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Ciner furniture, although beige editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Ciner were created in the Art Deco style in united states during the late 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Figgjo Flint, Flygfors Glass, and Royal Selangor. Prices for Ciner furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $440 and can go as high as $440, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $440.
Questions About Ciner Furniture
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 15, 2024
    To date Ciner jewelry, examine its details closely. Most pieces from the 1930s were cast in sterling silver, and marcasite was a commonly used material. Jewelry from the 1950s and ’60s will usually have a matte appearance due to the plating process used at that time. Comparing your jewelry to images shared on trusted online resources can help you estimate its age. However, Ciner's hallmarks are rarely helpful, as the maker has used the same logo for years. If you need assistance dating a particular piece, enlist the help of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable dealer. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of Ciner jewelry.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024
    To identify CINER jewelry, search all over the piece for a maker's mark. Virtually all pieces produced by the legendary costume jewelry brand feature the brand name inside a block or on its own beside the letter “R,” which stands for "registered." If you have any lingering doubts about the maker of your piece, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can be of assistance. On 1stDibs, explore a range of CINER jewelry.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 7, 2024
    Whether CINER jewelry is real in terms of its materials depends on the piece. Emanuel Ciner, an Austrian immigrant, founded the firm in New York City in 1892, crafting pieces from precious gemstones, gold and platinum. Then World War I and the Great Depression caused people to become more frugal and materials to become scarce. Rather than try to weather the economic downturn, which shuttered many other American jewelers, CINER made the transition from fine jewelry to costume (or fashion) jewelry. As a result, pieces produced in the late 19th or early 20th century may be real in terms of their materials, while those made later typically aren't. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse assortment of CINER jewelry.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 15, 2024
    Yes, CINER did use real pearls to create pieces during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. However, 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 transitioned from fine jewelry to costume jewelry. As a result, later jewelry tends to feature Japanese glass beads instead of genuine pearls. Find a variety of CINER jewelry on 1stDibs.

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