The father of so-called “fabulous fakes,” Kenneth Jay Lane was a spirited innovator within the jewelry industry, designing elegant and luxurious pieces without the use of real jewels. And while Lane aspired to create classic designs for earrings, bracelets and necklaces intended for everyday wear, his pieces caught the attention of celebrities, royalty and socialites.
From a young age, the Detroit, Michigan-born Lane was a lover of fashion. He studied at the Rhode Island School of Design and the University of Michigan. He pursued a design career in New York City, and a failed start in the art department of Vogue magazine led to a decade of designing shoes for the likes of Delman and Christian Dior.
Lane would occasionally develop shoe designs for friends he had in the fashion world such as Bill Blass and Arnold Scaasi. A show for the latter afforded him the opportunity to beautify shoes with rhinestones and create bangles and earrings to pair with the footwear — he found plastic bracelets at discount variety store and had them embellished by craftspeople at a shoe factory.
A love for costume jewelry design emerged thereafter. Lane created his own collection and admirers such as Jackie Kennedy and Elizabeth Taylor showered him with praise. A pearl necklace he designed was worn by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. In the early 1960s, ready-to-wear pioneer Hattie Carnegie purchased Lane’s jewelry line. Lane was given the position of design director for Carnegie but he soon changed course, moving instead into a small studio and pursuing his own path.
Lane worked with milk glass, gilded silver hardware, faux coral and other materials, and sold pendant necklaces, dangle earrings and modern bracelets to private customers. He was fond of renowned fine jewelry houses Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels and designers such as Jean Schlumberger, and cited having found inspiration in Egyptian and Indian jewelry over the years as well as Art Deco jewelry. Lane’s designs, which he called “faque” and “junque,” became well-known for their distinctive color combinations and clever characteristics such as embroidery. By the time he purchased a small jewelry factory in Providence, Rhode Island, where his accessories would be made during the 1960s, Lane had secured relationships with top Manhattan boutiques and his work had caught the attention of fashion magazines.
Directed by the filmmaker Gisèle Roman, a 2018 documentary about Lane’s life and work called Fabulously Fake: The Real Life of Kenneth Jay Lane features interviews with legendary fashion designers Carolina Herrera, Tory Burch and Diane von Furstenberg.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Kenneth Jay Lane brooches, rings and other accessories.
BRONZE ITALY BELLA DIVA signed vintage gold plated textured omega chain bracelet
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS • signed BRONZE ITALY BELLA DIVA • gold plated • vintage designer bracelet MEASUREMENTS • 7 1/2" long by 9/16" wide CONDITION • very good vintage condition with min...
KJL Kenneth Jay Lane Chain Link Five Charm Bracelet, with Toggle Clasp, in Gold
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Milford, DE
A gold-plated chain bracelet with five charms - a pair of lucky dice, shoes, a cuckoo clock, an angel, and flashlight. Accented with crystals and enamel, fastened with a toggle clasp...
Crystal, Gold Plate
KJL Kenneth Jay Lane Chain Link Five Charm Bracelet, with Toggle Clasp, in Gold
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Milford, DE
A gold-plated chain bracelet with five charms - a ladybug, a hand fan, a clock, a pair of shoes, and an angel. Accented with crystals and enamel, fastened with a toggle clasp. By Ken...
Crystal, Gold Plate
KJL Kenneth Jay Lane Chain Link Five Charm Bracelet, with Toggle Clasp, in Gold
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Milford, DE
A gold-plated chain bracelet with five charms - a pair of lucky dice, cherub, an angel, a pair of shoes, and a swan. Accented with crystals and enamel, fastened with a toggle clasp. ...
Crystal, Gold Plate
Kenneth Jay Lane "Limited Edition" Green Enamel Multi-Frogs Link Bracelet
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in New York, NY
Kenneth Jay Lane's "Limited Edition", wonderfully huge and impressive whimsical multi-frogs set with multi-hues of greens accented with polished gilded gold vermei...
1980s Kenneth Jay Lane Gold and Brown Resin Bracelet
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in London, GB
An extravagant toggle clasp bracelet from Kenneth Jay Lane, probably a late 1980s or early 1990s design. Featuring amber coloured acrylic resin and textured gold plated rings with hi...
KJL Kenneth Jay Lane Chain Link Five Charm Bracelet, with Toggle Clasp, in Gold
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Milford, DE
A gold-plated chain bracelet with five charms - a pair of lucky dice, shoes, a cuckoo clock, a dumbbell, and MO' $ motif. Accented with crystals and enamel, fastened with a toggle cl...
Crystal, Gold Plate
Vintage Kenneth Jay Lane Two Tone Bracelet
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This Vintage Kenneth Jay Lane Two-Tone Bracelet is a stunning piece of jewelry that blends sophistication with timeless design. Kenneth Jay Lane, known for creating bold and glamorou...
Gold Plate, Silver
Kenneth Jay Lane Multi-Textured & Gilded Gold Vermeil Hardware Bracelet
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in New York, NY
Kenneth Jay Lane wonderful combination of multi-textured as well as glide gold vermeil finish hardware chain-link bracelet measures 8 inches in length and 6/8 inch in width. M...
Diamond Heart Chain Link Bracelet 14k White Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Bracelet Specifications: Metal: 14k White Gold Diamond Count: 72 brilliant cut diamonds Diamond Carat Weight: 0.35 Diamond Color: G-J Diamond Clarity: SI1-I1 Bracelet Length: ~...
Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
Vintage CHANEL 95 AW Gold-Tone Black Leather ID-Style Chain Link Bracelet Unisex
By Chanel
Located in Bangkok, TH
An iconic staple of 1990s Chanel design, this vintage chain link bracelet is masterfully crafted in France from heavy, gold-toned hardware interwoven with supple black lambskin leath...
18k Yellow Gold Charm Bracelet Charm Numb 13 Bag of dollars Horseshoe Detachable
Located in Paris, FR
Charms bracelet in 18 carat yellow gold Double chain alternating with double chiseled circles retaining 3 groups of detachable charms, on each group: a number 13, a hand, a bag of 10...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
14 Karat Rose Gold Lapis Lazuli and 0.19 Carat Diamond Evil Eye Bracelet
Located in Great neck, NY
This is an adorable Lapis Evil Eye Bracelet. Crafted of 14K Rose Gold with approximately 0.19ct Round Sparkly Diamonds with the center of an eye being a...
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique Gold Hardstone Grand Tour Cameo Bracelet C 1800
Located in Firenze, IT
A rare early 19th C Grand Tour cameo bracelet composed of 6 hardstone agate cameos depicting classical profiles graduated in size from the center, cameos date back to early 19th ...
18k Gold
22 Karat Gold Mycenaean-Inspired Lily Flower Link Bracelet
By Romae Jewelry
Located in New York, NY
22 Karat Yellow Gold Mycenaean-Inspired Lily Flower Link Bracelet by ROMAE Jewelry. Our incredible "Ilithyia" bracelet is inspired by a Mycenaean gold example from the area of Phaistos, in Crete, dating 1400 to 1300 BC. It is made up of small links that are supposed to recall the white lily...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Carved Lapis Lazuli & 18ct Hammered Gold Bracelet
Located in London, GB
A striking vintage bracelet showcasing the rich vibrancy of carved lapis lazuli, each deep blue stone beautifully sculpted to highlight its natural depth and intensity. The lapis pan...
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
Miriam Haskell Pearl and Gilt Fob Bracelet
By Miriam Haskell
Located in New York, NY
Oversized Miriam Haskell signature Russian gold filigree domed cham fob bracelet of gilt ribbed chain with faux baroque nailhead pearl and toggle clasp. ...
Gilt Metal, Gold Plate
$3,420 / item
Moi Zora Gold and Gemstone Bracelet
Located in Lawrenceville, GA
Gold(18K) : 0.92g Gold(14K) : 3.38g Diamonds : (VS clarity & H-I colour) : (Brilliant cut) : 0.30ct Rose-cut Diamond : 0.88ct Gemstone : Yellow Sapphire, White Sapphire and Hessonite...
Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, Hessonite, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage Heart Padlock Silver Curb Charm Bracelet
By Charles Horner
Located in Rotterdam, NL
This is a beautifully crafted, high quality Charles Horner (1837–1896) sterling silver curb chain charm bracelet with a heart padlock clasp. The bracelet...
Silver
14k Gold Filled Figaro Chain Bracelet
By Mona Jewelry
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Indulge in timeless elegance with Mona Jewelry's 14/20 yellow gold-filled Figaro chain bracelet. Expertly crafted, this exquisite piece features a chic design with one longer link al...
14k Gold, Gold-filled
Alex Jona 18 Karat Yellow Gold Multiple Coin Chain Bracelet
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat yellow gold chain bracelet suspending 22 coin pendants. Total length: 7.2 in - 18.5 cm. Signed Jona. Can be sized to any ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,091 / item
W 0.13 in L 7 in
1.00 Carat Natural Diamond Bezel Bracelet G SI 14 Karat Yellow Gold 14 Stones
By Morris & David
Located in New York, NY
1.00 Carat Natural Diamond Bezel Bracelet G SI 14K Yellow Gold 100% Natural Diamonds, Not Enhanced in any way Round Cut Diamond Bracelet 1.00CT G-H SI 14K Y...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
14k Gold Filled Rolo Chain Bracelet
By Mona Jewelry
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Discover timeless elegance with the Rolo Chain Bracelet from Mona Jewelry, designed for those who appreciate refined craftsmanship. This piece features a secure lobster clasp and is ...
14k Gold, Gold-filled
18K Gold Diamond Snowflakes Bracelet by Meghna Jewels, 1.02ct, New
By Meghna Jewels
Located in Hoffman Estate, IL
This bracelet is handmade in 18-karat gold and set with 1.02 carats of sparkling diamonds. See other pieces that compliments with Snowflakes collection. FOLLOW MEGHNA JEWELS store...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Kenneth Jay Lane Gold Tone Link Chain Bracelet with Golden Ball Beads 1990s
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in London, GB
Kenneth Jay Lane gold tone textured and shiny link chain bracelet, featuring satin golden ball beads, and with a toggle clasp. Length 19.7cm / 7.75 inches by width 1.9cm / .75 inch. ...
CZ By Kenneth Jay Lane Fresh Water Pearl Tassel Charm Cubic Zirconia Bracelet
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Milford, DE
Extravagant bracelet by Kenneth Jay Lane, featuring clear cubic zirconia links and a charm pendant with strands of genuine pearls. Silvertone. Cubic Zirconia line by KJL Hallmarks:...
Crystal, Pearl