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.
Kenneth Jay Lane Gold CZ Crystal Butterfly Flower Earrings, Contemporary
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Milford, DE
Add a little natural beauty to your outfit with these sparkling flower and butterfly earrings! Gold plated button earrings by Kenneth Jay Lane. Light rose, amethyst, and peridot cub...
Zircon, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold
Kenneth Jay Lane Whimsical Multi-Color "Starfish" Earrings
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in New York, NY
Kenneth Jay Lane wonderfully whimsical multi-color "Starfish" earrings of faux pearls, faux rubies, and faux emerald, surrounded with turquoise-hue enamel and set i...
Kenneth Jay Lane Etched Gilded Gold Vermeil Hardware "Studded Pretzel" Earrings
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in New York, NY
Kenneth Jay Lane wonderfully elegant etched gilded gold vermeil hardware "studded Pretzel" earrings measures 1 1/4 inches in length. Width meas...
Imperial Jade Heart and Diamond Stud Earrings in 18k White Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Earrings Specifications: Metal: 18K White Gold Total Weight: 2.5 Grams Jade Measurements: 8 x 7.5 mm Diamond Count: 10 Diamond Color: G Diamond Clarity: VS Diamond Cara...
Jade, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Louis Feraud Peridot Designer 18 Karat Stud Earrings
By Louis Feraud
Located in Honolulu, HI
French Designer Louis Feraud Peridot stud earrings in 18k white gold. These earrings have a unique inverted V design. The beautifully designed earrings features four (4) square cut green peridots set in a channel on one side of the inverted V design. A total of eight (8) square Peridots are set on these earrings, totaling approximately 2.00 carats. The Peridots have an electric vibrant green colors. The earrings are masterfully crafted in 18k white gold and has a high polished finish. These stud earrings have post backs for pierced ears and squeeze earrings backings for extra security. The earrings measure approximately 14.60 mm high x 15.20 mm wide. Hallmarked "IF" and stamped "18k". Total weight 4.90 grams. These are new old stock earrings...
Peridot, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vivid Diamonds GIA Certified 2.06 Carat Diamond Stud Earrings
By Vivid Diamonds
Located in Miami, FL
Stunning Vivid Diamonds solitaire stud earrings crafted in 18 karat white gold, showcasing 2 spectacular GIA Certified round brilliant cut diamonds weighing 2.06 carats total, L colo...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Three Row Sapphire and Diamond Huggie Earrings in 18k White Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Style: Huggie Earrings Gemstone: 30 Sapphires Total Sapphire Weight: ~0.50 ct. Metal: 18K White Gold Weight: 6.9 Grams Diamonds: 12 Round Brilliant Cut Di...
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold, 18k Gold
Mellerio Vintage Sapphire and Yellow Gold Earrings, circa 1980
By Mellerio
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive pair of vintage 0.50 carat sapphire, 18 karat yellow gold earrings made by Mellerio dits Meller; part of our diverse sapphire jewelry collections. These fine a...
Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Gucci Gold and Silver Sun Face Earrings
By Gucci
Located in Darnestown, MD
Sun face earrings by Gucci. Sterling faces are surrounded by a ring of gold. French backs - both posts and clips. Measure 1 1/8" in diameter. Irregularity in ...
18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Vintage Blue Sapphire and Diamond Cushion Halo Stud Earrings
Located in Honolulu, HI
Gorgeous natural Blue Sapphire & Diamond cushion halo stud Earrings in 18K yellow gold. These beautiful Earrings feature Two cushion cut blue Sapphires be...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$695 / item
Opal Diamond Earrings in 14k Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Earrings Specifications: Metal: 14k Yellow Gold Earring Length: 16.5 mm Total Weight: 4.3 Grams Opal: 2 Opal Total Carat Weight: 1.64 carats Diamonds: 12 Diamond Color: I Di...
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Pair of 14 Karat Yellow Gold Aquamarine Earrings
Located in Tel Aviv, IL
A Pair of 14K Yellow Gold Aquamarine Earrings Amazing earrings with a beautiful Aquamarine rectangle shaped. Each Aquamarine stone is 3 carat, which sums to a total of 6 carats. Ma...
Aquamarine, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
5.06 Carat Natural Amethyst Diamonds Clip Earrings 18 Karat
Located in New York, NY
Amethysts Clip Earrings 4.70ct. Natural Amethysts earrings Clean Clarity, Vivid purple Oval cut 9.8 X 8mm .36ct natural round diamonds. G-H color Vs-2 clarity. Earrings: .5...
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vivid Diamonds GIA Certified 1.92 Carat Diamond Studs
By Vivid Diamonds
Located in Miami, FL
Stunning Vivid Diamonds solitaire stud earrings crafted by hand in platinum, showcasing 2 spectacular GIA Certified round brilliant cut diamonds weighing 1.92 carats total, H-I color...
Diamond, Platinum
14 Karat Three-Dimensional Bark Finish Clip Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Three Dimensional Slight dome earrings Smooth Bark Finish Measurements of Earrings: 1.2 x 1.1 inch 16 grams / 14kt. yellow gold Comfortable Omega clip...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold
W 1.25 in D 0.25 in L 1.5 in
Kenneth Jay Lane Gold Crystal Starburst Post Earrings Austrian Crystal Statement
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Kenneth Jay Lane gold crystal starburst earrings with Austrian crystal pavé setting. Luxury designer jewelry. Bold statement pieces. Made in USA. These striking Kenneth Jay Lane sta...
Crystal, Gold, Gold Plate, Brass, Mixed Metal
1980s Vintage KJL Kenneth Jay Lane Gilded Seashell Statement Earrings, Signed
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in McKinney, TX
- Each earring measures 1.5" x 1" - Post earring backs - Gold plated - Rhinestone accents - Signed KJL for Avon - Circa 1980s - Excellent vintage condition
Kenneth Jay Lane Gold Peridot Cubic Zirconia Drop Dangle Earrings
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Milford, DE
Add some sparkle to your outfit with these gold plated drop earrings by Kenneth Jay Lane. Clear and green peridot cubic zirconia crystals. Post back. Marks/Hallmarks: KJL CZ by Ke...
Zircon, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold
Kenneth Jay Lane Silver Jonquil Cubic Zirconia Drop Dangle Earrings, Deco Style
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Milford, DE
Add some sparkle to your outfit with these Art-Deco style silver tone drop earrings by Kenneth Jay Lane. Clear and jonquil cubic zirconia crystals. Post backs. Marks/Hallmarks: KJL...
Zircon