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.
Rare Ciner Sterling Deco Paste Duette
By Ciner
Located in New York, NY
Rare Ciner Sterling Deco Paste Duette from the 1930's. Large in scale, beautiful quality made in sterling silver with hand set pastes in typical High Style Art Deco Design. Clips sep...
Sterling Silver
Heavy Gilt Enamel Swirling Horse Brooch By Ciner, 1980s
By Ciner
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - Collectible costume jewelry piece from the '80s - 2.5" x 2.25" - Gold plated with heavy black enameling - Crystal rhinestone details with green crystal eyes - A...
Ciner Crystal Gilt Metal Floral Brooch & Earrings Circa 1970
By Ciner
Located in University City, MO
Ciner Crystal gilt metal floral brooch & earrings set c 1970 The elegant three-dimensional brooch & clip-on earrings are encrusted with rows of tiny diamante pave' crystals The cen...
Gilt Metal
Ciner Conch Shell Enamel Brooch Pin Swarovski Crystals New, Never Worn 1980s
By Ciner
Located in Wallkill, NY
Ciner Conch Shell Enamel Brooch set with Swarovski Crystals. Large Fabulous Shell Brooch. Has Salmon colored enamel inside the shell with Pave set Swarovski Crystals all over this pi...
Crystal, Gilt Metal, Enamel
Ciner Swarovski Crystal Sea Shell Brooch Pin Never Worn -1980s
By Ciner
Located in Wallkill, NY
Multi-Colored Swarovski Crystals set in this massive Ciner Brooch. Measuring 2.89 inches or 73.54 mm wide x 2.27 inches or 57.77 mm top to bottom. We have more Ciner items on our sto...
Crystal, Gilt Metal
$775 / set
Ciner Pave and Gilt Flower Brooch Suite
By Ciner
Located in New York, NY
Elegant Ciner Pave and Gilt Flower Brooch Suite from the 1960's. Tiny heart shaped petals are hand pave set with crystals in gilt mounts. Brooch and clip back earrings. Signed. 1960'...
Gilt Metal
Gilded Elephant Head Brooch With Mughal Jewels By Ciner, 1960s
By Ciner
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - Collectible jewelry piece from the mid-century - Extremely rare, hard to find style - 2.25" x 2" - Gold plated - Jewel tone Mughal style crystal rhinestones in ...
Ciner Faux Citrine and Ruby Retro Sterling Silver Brooch
By Ciner
Located in New York, NY
Large, dimensional Ciner Retro brooch of gold washed sterling silver. Large focal, oval faux citrine stone is flanked on both sides by faux ruby beads and...
Sterling Silver
Ciner Horse Head Pin Brooch Swarovski Crystals New, Never Worn 1980s
By Ciner
Located in Wallkill, NY
Gorgeous Horse Head Pin with Swarovski Crystals pave set. Garnet colored eyes. Hallmarked Ciner. Measures 2.87" Top to bottom x 1.55". The Price Tag sti...
Crystal, Gilt Metal
Ciner Gold Tone and Rhinestone Shell Statement Brooch circa 1980s
By Ciner
Located in London, GB
Ciner fine quality gold tone shell brooch, embellished with glittering rhinestones, and featuring a golden rope twist design. Length 6.3 cm / 2.48 inches by maximum width 3.6cm / 1....
$237Sale Price|40% Off
Stunning Vintage Designer CINER Signed Faux Diamond Estate Brooch Pin
By Ciner
Located in Montreal, QC
Elegant & Stylish Modernist Estate signed CINER Gold tone articulated Ribbons inter-spaced with same Ribbons set with sparkling Faux Diamanté set stones; signed by designer CINER on...
Gold Plate
Ciner Swarovski Brooch Crystal Sea Shell Gold tone New Old Stock 1980s
By Ciner
Located in Wallkill, NY
Ciner sea Shell Brooch. Set with Blue and Green Crystals. Measures 2.50- 63.6 mm wide x 2.36 -60.05 mm top to bottom. This is out of a massive collection of Hopi, Zuni, Navajo, Sou...
Crystal, Gilt Metal
Art Deco style paste and enamel brooch, Ciner, USA, 1990s
By Ciner
Located in Greyabbey, County Down
A large and dynamic brooch in high Art Deco style from Ciner, New York. Although made from base metal, enamel and paste, it echoes the wonderful designs of Cartier and Van Cleet and ...
Base Metal
$476Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage CINER signed gold coral massive maltese cross designer brooch pendant
By Ciner
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS • signed CINER • gold tone with faux coral cabochons • vintage designer brooch / pendant MEASUREMENTS • CONDITION • very good vintage condition with minimal sig...
Huge Ciner Retro Floral Spray Brooch
By Ciner
Located in New York, NY
Large and striking Ciner Retro floral spray brooch of gold plated metal, crystal pave with focal faux aquamarine and ruby flower head. Strong dimen...
Gold Plate
$308Sale Price|20% Off
Ciner Vermeil Heart and Bow Pin Brooch, Citrine and Ruby Crystals, Sterling
By Ciner
Located in Milford, DE
Stylish pin brooch from Ciner. Features a sterling silver, gold-plated heart and bow motif decorated with citrine and ruby-colored crystals. Gold-plated sterling silver (vermeil). ...
Crystal, Gold Plate, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
Ciner Swarovski Brooch Pendant black & Red, New Never worn 1990s
By Ciner
Located in Wallkill, NY
This is both a brooch and a pendant. Has Red and what looks to be black Swarovski Crystals as well as deep red cabochons. Clear Crystals as well. It has a hook on the back to use as ...
Gilt Metal
1940s Ciner Art Deco Gold, Purple & Green Rhinestone Floral Brooch
By Ciner
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite Ciner brooch from the 1940s showcases the glamour and craftsmanship of the Art Deco era. Ciner, a four generation company in NYC created jewelry for 130 years prior to...
Crystal, Gold Plate
Ciner Swarovski crystal Frog Brooch Pin 1980s
By Ciner
Located in Wallkill, NY
Stunning Brown Ciner Enamel Brooch with Black crystal eyes. Measures 1.69 in x 1.40 in. Great Holiday Gift or just because! This is out of a massive collection of Hopi, Zuni, Navajo...
Ciner Brooch Swarovski crystal Starfish Pin New Old Stock 1980s
By Ciner
Located in Wallkill, NY
Red and Clear Swarovski crystal cover this entire Brooch by Ciner. New, never worn. Measures 3 in x 3 in. This is out of a massive collection of New Old stock items as well as Hopi, ...
Crystal, Gilt Metal
Ciner Brooch & Pendant
By Ciner
Located in New York, NY
Ciner combination brooch and pendant gives you the choice of either depending on your desire of wear. The height measures 2 1/4", width is 1 6/8", depth is 1/4". The b...
Ciner Brooch Sea Shell Gold tone New, Never Worn from 1980s
By Ciner
Located in Wallkill, NY
Ciner sea Shell Brooch. Large oversized Gold Gilt Sea shell Pin. Measures 2" wide x 4.75" top to bottom. This is certainly a statement piece! This is out of a massive collection o...
Gilt Metal
Ciner Brooch Swarovski Crystal Floral AMBER Gold NEW Never worn 1990s
By Ciner
Located in Wallkill, NY
Another 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...
Crystal, Gold, Gilt Metal
$3,800
W 0.88 in L 1.5 in
Victorian Coral Earrings And Brooch Flower Leaf Motif 14 Karat Gold Circa 1870
Located in New York, NY
This is a rare pair of museum quality Etruscan Revival Victorian Coral Earrings and Brooch. The parure set has gorgeous hand carved three dim...
Coral, Pearl, 14k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
$245Sale Price|30% Off
Magnificent Rare NYC Estate 18KT Overlaid Glittering Vintage Giraffe Brooch Pin
Located in New York, NY
The Following Item we are offering is a Rare Important Radiant 18KT Overlaid Gold Giraffe Brooch. This Rare Piece has Magnificent Rare Round Cut Glittering Cubic Zirconia Stones that...
Gold Plate
1900s Seed Pearl and Ruby Yellow Gold Chick and Egg Bar Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique seed pearl,15 karat yellow, white and rose gold chick and egg brooch; part of our diverse antique jewelry collections This fi...
Pearl, Ruby, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Large Early Estate Georg Jensen Cabochon Amber Sterling Silver Pendant Brooch
By Georg Jensen
Located in New York, NY
Fine estate Georg Jensen cabochon amber and sterling silver pendant brooch. Circa 1910 This beautiful piece may be worn as both a pendant and a b...
Amber, Sterling Silver
William Spratling Conch Shell Earrings Pin Brooch Set 980 Silver Vintage Taxco
By William Spratling
Located in North Attleboro, MA
From the collection of Phyllis M. Goddard, widely respected collector, researcher and author of books on William Spratling's works. She featured the pin in her book "Spratling Silver: A Field Guide", 2003, pg. 40, figure 2-56. A beautiful set of matching earrings and brooch. Crafted of 980 silver using the repousse method into the design of stylized conch shell cross...
Silver
Floral Silver Brooch with Purple Cabochon Center Signed
Located in PARIS, FR
This beautiful brooch is floral-themed. The silver-toned brooch is a rectangle made of intertwined leaves and branches. A purple round cabochon is placed at the centre, which reflect...
Base Metal
$1,276Sale Price|20% Off
1959 Christian Dior Faux Pearl Green Crystal Costume Brooch
By Christian Dior
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a stunning faux crystal and pearl Christian Dior brooch. From 1959, this large and wealthy brooch features a diamond shape with faux pearls and green, clear, and black cry...
$360Sale Price|20% Off
Juliana DeLizza & Elster Polka Dot Bead Brooch and Clip On Earrings, Green
Located in Milford, DE
An exquisite brooch/pin and a pair of clip-on earrings by Juliana DeLizza & Elster. Each piece features paisley beads with a coralene finish, accented with green navette crystals, an...
Crystal
$384Sale Price|20% Off
Juliana DeLizza & Elster Watermelon Crystal Brooch and Clip On Earrings
Located in Milford, DE
An exquisite brooch/pin and a pair of clip-on earrings by Juliana DeLizza & Elster. A single watermelon crystal is prong set and accented with smaller ...
Crystal
Estate Cartier Substantial 14K Yellow, Rose Gold Bars Pendant Clip Brooch
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful estate Cartier solid and substantial gold bars pendant clip brooch composed of eight interconnected gold bars of rose and yellow gold. 1940's May be worn as a pendant or a...
14k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
$572
W 0.71 in D 0.28 in L 1.58 in
Antique Belle Époque Enamel Miniature Amor Cupid Carrying a Cornucopia Metall
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This charming enamel miniature painting of cupid carrying a cornucopia dull of roses was painted in the 1880'. It is mounted in a gilt metal ...
Enamel, Gilt Metal
Magnificent Huge Multi-Facade "Starburst" Rhinestone Brooch
Located in New York, NY
This wonderful huge magnificent multi-facade "Starburst" rhinestone brooch measures 2 3/4" in circumference and 3/8" in depth. This brooch is simply wonderful!
Massive Ciner Layered Flower Brooch
By Ciner
Located in New York, NY
Massive Ciner Layered Flower Brooch from the 1990's. Wonderful design in the Verdura style with elaborate citrine crystal pave set petals curling over deep brown citrine oval pastes....
Gilt Metal
Vintage Ciner Enamel Gold Plated Pave Rhinestone Leopard Brooch
By Ciner
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Ciner, established in 1892, is renowned for its high-quality costume jewelry, often featuring intricate designs and luxurious materials. The Vintage Ciner Enamel Gold Plated Pave Rhinestone Leopard...
Gold Plate, Enamel
Ciner Gilt Monkey with Mirror Brooch
By Ciner
Located in New York, NY
Charming Ciner Gilt Monkey with Mirror Brooch from the 1990's. Jet paste eyes. 1" x 1". 1990's USA.
Gilt Metal
Charming Ciner Enamel Frog
By Ciner
Located in New York, NY
Charming Ciner Enamel Frog in the David Webb style from the 1980's. Deep green enamel studded with gold and jet beaded eyes. 1980's USA. 2" x 1.25".
Enamel, Gilt Metal
Ciner Dimensional Flower Brooch
By Ciner
Located in New York, NY
Charming Ciner Dimensional Flower Brooch from the 1960's. Elaborate pave work with crystal petals and central faux sapphire bud on gilt metal. 2.5" x 1.5". 1960's USA.
Gilt Metal
Ciner Venetian 1960's Jeweled Nubian Brooch
By Ciner
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
This piece is a stunningly detailed brooch! A beautiful vintage 1960s Venetian style Nubian brooch features gold-tone mounting, with faux carved head with gold-tone hoop earrings, large blue bead, and rhinestone jeweled front. Signed Ciner on the back. Pair this with your Bottega Veneta handbag, a Gucci...
Gilded Pineapple Brooch With Topaz Crystals By Ciner, 1980s
By Ciner
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - Collectible costume jewelry piece from the '80s - Extremely rare & hard to find style - 2" x 1" - Gold plated - Encrusted with Topaz-colored crystals - Clear c...
Oversized Gold Heart Brooch With Crinkle Texture By Ciner, 1980s
By Ciner
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - Collectible costume jewelry piece from the '80s - 3.25" x 2.5" - 18k gold plated - Organic, wrinkled effect - By Ciner (signed on verso) - Circa 1980s - Esta...
Gold Standing Poodle Dog Figural Brooch With Seed Pearl Pavé By Ciner, 1950s
By Ciner
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - Collectible costume jewelry piece from the mid-century - Extremely rare and hard to find piece - 2" tall - Gold plated - Faux seed pearl pavé - Crystal rhinest...
Vintage CINER gold rhinestone flower designer brooch
By Ciner
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS • signed CINER • gold tone with rhinestones • vintage designer runway earrings MEASUREMENTS • 1.5" in diameter CONDITION • excellent vintage condition with minimal sig...
Ruby Red Crystal Pavé Strawberry Brooch By Ciner, 1960s
By Ciner
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - 1" x .75" - Gold plated - Ruby red-colored crystal rhinestones - Enamel detail - Attributed to Ciner (unsigned) - Circa 1960s - Estate acquired - Good vintag...
Ciner Art Deco Style 1980s Gold, Rhinestone & Pearl Brooch
By Ciner
Located in New York, NY
An elegant Art Deco inspired design brooch by American fashion jewelry company Ciner circa 1980. Gold plate and set with brilliant colorless rhinestones and a single large faux pearl...
Gold Plate