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Kenneth Jay Lane Drop Earrings

American, 1932-2017

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.

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Creator: Kenneth Jay Lane
Early K.J.L. Hammered Gold and Crystal Earrings
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in New York, NY
Attractive Early K.J.L. Hammered Gold and Crystal Earrings from the 1960's. Large scale clip earrings in gilt metal and faceted lucite made t...
Category

1960s American Vintage Kenneth Jay Lane Drop Earrings

Materials

Gilt Metal

Gold Bezel Pearl Drop Earrings By Kenneth Jay Lane, 1990s
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - Collectible costume jewelry piece from the '90s - Each earring measures 1" x 1.4" - Gold plated - Faux pearl - Post earring backs for pierced ears - By Kennet...
Category

1990s American Modern Kenneth Jay Lane Drop Earrings

KJL Earring of Emeralds and Pastes
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in New York, NY
Faux Emerald and paste set dramatic earring by Kenneth Jay Lane circa 1960s. 2.5" x 1.25"
Excellent condition with clip back fittings.
Category

1960s American Vintage Kenneth Jay Lane Drop Earrings

Kenneth Jay Lane Cubiz Zirconia Laurel Dramatic Dangle Drop Double Earrings, KJL
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Milford, DE
Marquise and round clear cubic zirconia crystals create this dazzling drop design worthy of a red carpet event. Dangle earrings by Kenneth Jay Lane. CZ by Kenneth Jay Lane line. Rh...
Category

2010s Contemporary Kenneth Jay Lane Drop Earrings

Materials

Zircon, Rhodium

Kenneth Jay Lane Milk Earrings
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in New York, NY
K.J.L pendant earring ears from the 1960s of milk glass and pastes. Classic pendant form used in many of the most iconic earring by KJL of the period. Excellent condition.
Category

1960s American Vintage Kenneth Jay Lane Drop Earrings

Materials

Gilt Metal

CZ By Kenneth Jay Lane Glittering Flowers Danglig Cubic Zirconia Earrings
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Milford, DE
Extravagant pair of earrings by Kenneth Jay Lane, featuring clear cubic zirconia crystals and strands of genuine pearls. Cubic Zirconia line by KJL. Hallmarks: KLane
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Kenneth Jay Lane Drop Earrings

Materials

Crystal

Elegant Kenneth Jay Lane Grey Pearl and Pave Earrings
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in New York, NY
Elegant Kenneth Jay Lane Grey Pearl and Pave Earrings in the Schlumberger style. Gold caps with pave accents and grey pearl shaped pearls. Clip back fittings. 1960's USA. 2.5" x .75...
Category

1960s American Vintage Kenneth Jay Lane Drop Earrings

Materials

Gilt Metal

CZ by Kenneth Jay Lane Amethyst Crystal Drop Earrings with Bow Motifs, Post Back
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Milford, DE
Cubic Zirconia by Kenneth Jay Lane P/8 Cttw oval with bow drop earrings . Each earring features two amethyst cubic zirconia crystals accented with clear crystals. Post backs. Cubic ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Kenneth Jay Lane Drop Earrings

Materials

Crystal

Kenneth Jay Lane Pave Swirl Earrings
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in New York, NY
Early and large K.J.L. pendant earrings from the 1960's of pave ropes in swirl pattern. Clip back fittings strikingly set into blackened metal. 1960's USA. 2.75" x 1.75". Excellent...
Category

1960s American Vintage Kenneth Jay Lane Drop Earrings

Kenneth Jay Lane Polished Gilded Gold Hardware With Black Center Earrings Clips
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in New York, NY
Kenneth Jay Lane's wonderfully elegant polished gilded gold hardware accented with a black lucite center clip-on earrings measures 2 1/2 inches in length. The width measures 1 inch a...
Category

1980s American Baroque Vintage Kenneth Jay Lane Drop Earrings

Art Deco style geometric drop earrings, Kenneth Jay Lane, USA, 1970s
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Greyabbey, County Down
Part of a range produced by Kenneth Lane, of Art Deco style pieces (earrings, brooches, necklaces, bracelets), in varying colourways, during the 1970s, and also later in his career, ...
Category

1970s American Art Deco Vintage Kenneth Jay Lane Drop Earrings

Materials

Base Metal

Kenneth Lane Huge diamond drop earrings
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in New York, NY
These huge drop faux Diamond earrings from Kenneth Lane makes for an impressive, yet elegant show. The top diamond measures 11/16", the bottom di...
Category

1980s Vintage Kenneth Jay Lane Drop Earrings

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Previously Available Items
Vintage Kenneth Lane Statement Crystal Geo Earrings 1980s
By Kenneth Jay Lane
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K.J.L. Early Lucite Hoop Earrings
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1960s American Vintage Kenneth Jay Lane Drop Earrings

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Kenneth Jay Lane 1970s Gold Nugget & Tiger Eye Pendant Earrings
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in New York, NY
Gold nugget bead texture Kenneth Jay Lane earrings made in the mid to later 1970s. Gold tone with natural 13 x 17 mm tiger eye cabochons. Each earring is 1.5 inches wide and 3 inches...
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1970s American Vintage Kenneth Jay Lane Drop Earrings

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KJL Kenneth Jay Lane Gold Knotted Bow Drop Dangle Earrings, Contemporary
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Milford, DE
Bright gold-plated threads are tied into knotted bow links on these stylish Kenneth Jay Lane Necklace dangle earrings. Tags, Marks, Hallmarks: Kenneth © Lane, Made in USA Drop / da...
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2010s American Modern Kenneth Jay Lane Drop Earrings

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22k Gold, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold

KJL Kenneth Jay Lane Embellished Pave Cubic Zirconia Owl Dangling Earrings
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Milford, DE
A stylish pair of embellished owl motif earrings. Gold plated-metal, with clear and amber pave crystals and dangling accents. CZ Cubic Zirconia line by Kenneth Jay Lane.
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21st Century and Contemporary American Kenneth Jay Lane Drop Earrings

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CZ by KJL Kenneth Jay Lane Cascading Opaque Pear Crystal Earrings in Gold
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Milford, DE
An exquisite pair of earrings by Kenneth Jay Lane! Each earring features a glittering and glamorous drop made up of teardrop-shaped opaque crystals and a pave crystal trim. Goldtone ...
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CZ by KJL Kenneth Jay Lane Cascading Clear Pear Crystal Earrings in Silver
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Milford, DE
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Faux jade and onyx and paste 'Cartier' style earrings, Kenneth Jay Lane, 1970s
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Greyabbey, County Down
Beautiful faux jade and onyx earrings by Kenneth Lane. Made from moulded glass drop, that imitates carved jade, reminiscent of pieces produced by Cartier in the 1920s, and a glass c...
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1970s American Art Deco Vintage Kenneth Jay Lane Drop Earrings

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Kenneth Jay Lane 1980s Gold Tone and Faux Coral Hoop Clip On Earrings
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in London, GB
1980s gold tone clip on hoop earrings, featuring faux coral stones, by Kenneth Jay Lane. Measuring length 4.5cm / 1.77 inches by maximum width 3.1cm / 1.22 inches. The hoops have a l...
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1980s American Vintage Kenneth Jay Lane Drop Earrings

Ruby cabochon and grey paste drop earrings, Kenneth Jay Lane (KJL), USA, 1960s
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Greyabbey, County Down
Beautiful, sumptuous Kenneth Jay Lane drop earrings, from the 1960s. A lovely colour combination of ruby and soft grey paste gives a richer antique look. The ruby cabochons are made ...
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1960s American Vintage Kenneth Jay Lane Drop Earrings

Materials

Base Metal

KJL citrine and topaz paste drop earrings, 1960s
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Greyabbey, County Down
Elegant drop earrings by Kenneth Jay Lane, in subtle colours of citrine and topaz, surrounded by clear paste. Again, as with many of KJL design's from the this period, they have a hi...
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1960s American Vintage Kenneth Jay Lane Drop Earrings

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Base Metal

Kenneth Jay Lane Silver Hammered Circle Earrings with Rhinestones
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Austin, TX
Kenneth Jay Lane silver hammered circle rhinestone encrusted earrings with dangling tear drop. Condition: One rhinestone missing, see photos. 1 1/2" L x 1" W
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1990s American Kenneth Jay Lane Drop Earrings

Kenneth Jay Lane drop earrings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a range of Kenneth Jay Lane drop earrings available on 1stDibs. Each of these unique items was designed with extraordinary care, often using gilt metal. While looking for the most stylish antique or vintage Kenneth Jay Lane jewelry to pair with your ensemble, you’ll find that Kenneth Jay Lane crystal drop earrings, from our inventory of 2, can add a particularly distinctive touch to your look. We have 12 pieces in this collection as well as a number of other designs by this jeweler. art deco and Baroque are among the most popular styles of Kenneth Jay Lane drop earrings available on 1stDibs. While this collection reflects work that originated over various time periods, most of these items were designed during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider drop earrings by David Rosenberg, Ammanii, and Karen Sugarman Designs. Prices for Kenneth Jay Lane drop earrings can differ depending upon gemstone, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $298 and tops out at $1,250, while pieces like these, on average, can sell for $585.
Questions About Kenneth Jay Lane Drop Earrings
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 15, 2024
    What happened to Kenneth Jay Lane was that the jewelry maker underwent a change in leadership. In 2017, founder and jeweler Kenneth Jay Lane died. However, his brand continues to produce pieces inspired by Lane's elegant and luxurious fashion jewelry. On 1stDibs, find a collection of Kenneth Jay Lane jewelry.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    The impeccable costume jewelry by designer Kenneth Jay Lane, known as the “Master of Faking It,” has been made in the USA and abroad. During Lane’s early years, much of his domestic-made jewelry was produced in New York and Rhode Island, while other designs were made in factories in Asia. Some of Lane’s imported jewelry pieces are stamped with Thailand or China as the country of origin. Shop a selection of Kenneth Jay Lane jewelry from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

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