In the mid-1950s, there were children who read comic books and built forts and then there was Barry Kieselstein-Cord, a now-critically acclaimed New York City–born jewelry designer whose early hobbies included carving totem poles.
In fact, Kieselstein-Cord was proficient at carving by the time he was eight years old. His hobby fueled what would become deep interests in Native American art and in the natural world around him. Kieselstein-Cord made more carvings, and eventually began to explore metalwork and craft jewelry in his teens. Today he creates rings, necklaces and other jewelry and accessories so divine that they are as much wearable sculptures as they are personal adornment.
Kieselstein-Cord studied at Parsons School of Design and the American Craft Institute. He has long been enamored of illustration, architecture, photography and other disciplines, and even as a world-renowned jeweler, Kieselstein-Cord has always considered his true identity as a sculptor. ”I don’t make jewelry; I do sculptures for the body,” he has said.
Kieselstein-Cord designed his first sterling silver collection in 1972, and a year later, the collection was presented for sale at Georg Jensen’s Manhattan flagship store. Kieselstein-Cord’s partnership with the legendary Danish silverware firm meant that his work would reach an international audience. It was also around this time that the designer began to work with fashion titans Perry Ellis and Calvin Klein.
By the late 1970s, Kieselstein-Cord had begun to integrate gold and gemstones into his work. During this decade he designed much-lauded belt buckles, and some of his most sought-after collections — including Crocodile, Pompeii and Borgia — followed a decade later. On today’s secondary market, those 1980s-era designs are enjoying a resurgence. Names like Henry Dunay and Kieselstein-Cord are being reappraised as icons of contemporary design.
Tom Hanks, Oprah Winfrey, Sir Elton John, Jack Nicholson, Barack Obama and Giorgio Armani are all known collectors of Kieselstein-Cord’s work. His designs have found their way into the Louvre in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
On 1stDibs find a collection of vintage Barry Kieselstein-Cord belts, earrings, bracelets, handbags and other jewelry and accessories.
Kieselstein-Cord 18 Karat Gold Toggle Link Necklace
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in New York City, NY
Timeless Elegance: Kieselstein-Cord 18 Karat Gold Toggle Link Necklace This luxurious 18 Karat gold toggle link necklace by the renowned des...
18k Gold, Gold
Barry Kieselstein-Cord Monumental 18K Gold Sculptural Link Necklace Hidden Clasp
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Miami, FL
A bold and collectible statement from American design legend Barry Kieselstein-Cord, this substantial vintage Retired Cod necklace is crafted in solid 18K yellow gold, weighing an im...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Barry Kieselstein-Cord Sterling Silver Cross Pendant for a Necklace
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine signed silver cross pendant. By Barry Kieselstein-Cord. In sterling silver. In the form of a cross. With an opening perfect for a snake chain or cord. Marked beneath each...
Sterling Silver
.925 Sterling Silver 3 Carat Diamond Cross Pendant Necklace
Located in New York, NY
Share your faith with this stunning diamond cross pendant necklace. This cherished cross necklace for her, features 25 natural, round diamonds set in sterling silver. The pendant is suspended from an 18-inch box chain with spring ring. This fine jewelry cross...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sterling Silver
Green Tourmaline & Diamond Pendant After Barry Kieselstein-Cord
By KIESELSTEIN-CORD
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
Crafted from 18 karat yellow gold, this pendant is a design after North American jeweller Barry Kieselstein-Cord. The pendant centres on a single cabochon cut green tourmaline which ...
Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Heavy Brushed Finished Link Toggle Necklace 18 Karat Yellow Gold 79.8 Grams
By Harbor Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
18 Karat yellow gold toggle necklace featuring a brushed finish motif link weighing 79.8 grams, with two Cabochon Rubies on the lock. A very nice weight to this necklace. Links Measu...
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Large Heavy Oval Link Toggle Necklace 123.3 Grams 18 Karat Yellow Gold 18.5"
By Harbor Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
18 Karat Yellow gold necklace featuring medium size links and a large toggle clasp. Signed Badou Big loop 1.5" Medium loop 7/8" Long 0.70" Wide Small loops 0.47" Clasp bar 2.50" Ev...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat White Gold Diamond Link Necklace
By Vitale 1913
Located in Monte-Carlo, MC
18K white gold classy link necklace is from Damier Collection. This piece of jewellery is made of natural 25 white round diamonds in total of 1.80 Carat that are placed in the middle...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$100 / item
H 0.95 in W 0.12 in L 0.67 in
.925 Sterling Silver Diamond Accent Cross Ribbon Pendant Necklace
Located in New York, NY
Show off your faith with this .925 sterling silver ribbon cross pendant. The cross shaped pendant crafted with warm weaves of white rhodiumed ster...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sterling Silver
$292 / item
H 1.42 in W 0.08 in L 0.79 in
.925 Sterling Silver Prong-Set Diamond Accent Cross Pendant Necklace
Located in New York, NY
This religious diamond cross Pendant is a glistening symbol of faith. Styled in gleaming sterling silver this pendant is adorned with 16 radiant prong set round cut diamonds arranged...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sterling Silver
$1,588 / item
H 1.89 in W 0.12 in L 1.58 in
.925 Sterling Silver 3.0 Carat Diamond Cross Pendant Necklace
Located in New York, NY
Share your faith with this stunning diamond cross pendant necklace. This cherished cross necklace for her, features 25 natural, round diamonds set in 2 Micron 10k Yellow Gold Plated Sterling Silver. The pendant is suspended from an 18-inch box chain with spring ring. This fine jewelry cross...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sterling Silver
Alex Jona 18 Karat White Gold Link Chain Necklace
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona Design Collection, Hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat white gold, 17.7 inch-45cm., long link chain necklace. Alex Jona jewels stand out, not only for their special design and...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
Alex Jona 18 Karat Yellow Gold Link Chain Necklace
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona Design Collection, Hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat yellow gold, 18.11 in / 46 cm long, link chain necklace. All Jona jewelry is new and has never been previously owned or w...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,177 / item
H 0.12 in W 1.42 in L 2.21 in
.925 Sterling Silver 4.0 Carat Diamond Cross Pendant Necklace
Located in New York, NY
Let your faith shine through with this stunning sterling silver cross pendant. An elegant display of belief, this beautiful piece is composed of 21 natural round-cut diamonds in a pr...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sterling Silver
Alex Jona 18 Karat Rose Gold Link Chain Necklace
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona Design Collection, Hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat yellow gold, 18 in / 46 cm long, link chain necklace. Alex Jona jewels stand out, not only for their special design and...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Rose Gold
2003 Barry Kieselstein-Cord Sterling Silver Mended Broken Heart Pendant #24743
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Washington Depot, CT
2003 Barry Kieselstein-Cord Sterling Silver Mended Broken Heart Pendant Striking and symbolic, this sterling silver Kieselstein-Cord pendant embodies resilience through bold, sculpt...
Sterling Silver
Kieselstein-Cord Sterling Silver Frog Necklace #23977
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Kieselstein-Cord Sterling Silver Frog Necklace- A substantial sterling silver necklace from Kieselstein-Cord, this piece features a sculptural frog cha...
Sterling Silver
Barry Kieselstein Cord Alligator Head Link Toggle Yellow Gold Necklace
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Alligator Head Link Toggle Necklace by Barry Kieselstein Cord. Details: Measurements: Alligator head 31mm x 10mm Toggle 36mm x 7mm Weight: 200.4 grams Length: 18" Sta...
Yellow Gold
18k Kieselstein Ruby and Diamond Heart Crown Pendant
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Laguna Hills, CA
18K KIESELSTEIN RUBY DIAMOND HEART CROWN PENDANT The iconic Kieselstein design is 1" in length with a crown-styled top and heart-shaped body embellish...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage BARRY KIESELSTEIN-CORD Silver Sterling Silver 14k Crocodile Head Chain
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage BARRY KIESELSTEIN-CORD necklace comes in a sterling silver chain link featuring a 14k gold crocodile head detail and a clasp closure. Good Pre...
18K Kieselstein Ruby & Diamond Heart Crown Pendant
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Laguna Hills, CA
18K KIESELSTEIN RUBY DIAMOND HEART CROWN PENDANT The iconic Kieselstein design is 1" in length with a crown-styled top and heart-shaped body embellish...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Kieselstein-Cord Yellow Gold Toggle Necklace
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in New York, NY
Authentic Barry Kieselstein-Cord necklace crafted in 18 karat yellow gold with a toggle closure. The necklace measures 18 inches in length and features oval links of varying sizes. S...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold
H 1.5 in L 16 in
1996 B. Kieselstein-Cord Silver Man in the Moon Pendant Braided Leather Necklace
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Montclair, NJ
This beautiful 1996 Kieselstein-Cord pendant necklace features a lovely, braided, dark brown genuine leather cord with a large man in the moon pendant...
Silver
Modern Wrapped 18 Karat Yellow Gold Heart Pendant Necklace by Kieselstein Cord
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in New York, NY
Impressive modern 18k yellow gold heart pendant hanging from a leather cord by Kieselstein Cord. This rock and roll “bondage heart” is a fun to wear necklace. The heart is suspended ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Kieselstein-Cord 18 Karat Gold Carved Tourmaline Toggle Link Necklace
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in New York City, NY
Fine 18k gold toggle link necklace by Kieselstein-Cord. This necklace features a bezel-set carved tourmaline, has links that alternate in size from bigger to smaller, and a stylish ...
Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Gold
Barry Kieselstein-Cord Man in the Moon Sterling and Braided Leather Necklace
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in New Hope, PA
This Barry Kieselstein-Cord sterling silver and chocolate brown braided leather necklace has his iconic Man in the Moon at the center. The double sided Moon...
Sterling Silver
Kieselstein-Cord 18 Karat Gold Toggle Link Necklace
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in New York City, NY
Fine 18k gold toggle link necklace by Kieselstein-Cord. This necklace has links that alternate in size from bigger to smaller; it further fe...
18k Gold