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.
Vintage Kieselstein-Cord 18k Gold Carved Carnelian Intaglio Signet Ring
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An 18k gold signet ring by Kieselstein-Cord featuring an oval carved carnelian intaglio depicting a heraldic crest. The ring is designed with the brand’s signature fleur-de-lys–inspi...
Carnelian, 18k Gold
$12,750Sale Price|25% Off
Oscar Heyman 1.72 Carat Sapphire & Diamond Gent's Ring
By Oscar Heyman
Located in New York City, NY
Oscar Heyman satin-finished platinum flush set gent's ring contains a 1.72ct sapphire and 2 trilliant diamonds (I-G/SI1-VS2, 0.23tcw). It is stamped with the makers mark, IRID PLAT, ...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Ammanii Evil Eye Ring in Vermeil Gold
By Ammanii
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The eye symbol used across cultures for protection and wading away evil. Part of our Sa'mma Collection. Sa'mma means the Sky. The collection is a homage to the sky; the universal blanket that covers all mankind and protects us under its wings. The protective eye ring is a reminder of the higher powers watching over us. The Evil Eye ring is crafted in vermeil gold, that is 925 sterling silver with 18k gold plating. The ring has a handset clear zircon...
Zircon, Topaz, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
Ammanii Pavé Zirconia Star Ring in Vermeil Gold
By Ammanii
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The sparkling pavé star ring is the ultimate reflection of your inner beauty. Handcrafted from vermeil gold, sterling silver base with 18k yellow gold plating, in our signature satin...
Zircon, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
$3,350 / item
Ralph Masri Modernist Signet Pink Sapphire Ring
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
18kt rose gold ring with pink sapphires from Ralph Masri's Modernist collection, inspired by mid-century Modernist architecture with...
Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold
Tiffany & Co Elsa Peretti Diamond Pave 18k Gold East-West Estate Ring
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
A sporty signed vintage Tiffany & Co signed Elsa Peretti pavè diamond cocktail ring. Be captivated by the 1980s disco era once again by this East-West oriented shiny 18k yellow gold ...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Solid Gold Circle Ring Revolution
By Wesley Kloss Fine Jewelry
Located in Cleveland, OH
The Revolution Circle ring steadily cycles from a unique square band to a perfectly circular top and back again. As the square base flows into a lush orga...
14k Gold
$10,857 / item
Chushev Hades Blue Sapphire Intaglio Gold Signet Ring
By Chushev
Located in Canoga Park, CA
This exquisite intaglio is engraved onto man made blue sapphire and features Hades, king of the underworld and ruler of the dead.. The stone is set in an 18K signet...
Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
Imperial 18 Karat Gold Signet Ring, by Martyn Lawrence Bullard
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Unisex 18k rose gold square Signet ring, perfect for engraving Designed by Martyn Lawrence Bullard Can be made in any size in white, yellow or rose 18 k gold, lead time 4 weeks
18k Gold
Chushev Hermes & Lyre Blue Chalcedony Intaglio Sterling Silver Signet Ring
By Chushev
Located in Canoga Park, CA
This exquisite intaglio is masterfully engraved onto a blue chalcedony gemstone. The gem is set in a sterling silver signet ring. The shoulders of the ring are embellished with a classic "Green Man" renaissance mask motif. The composition is inspired by a famous ancient Greek intaglio...
Chalcedony, Sterling Silver
Solid Gold Triangle Ring Revolution
By Wesley Kloss Fine Jewelry
Located in Cleveland, OH
The Revolution Triangle ring gracefully cycles from a lower circular band to a triangular top and back again. As the classic rounded base evolves into a...
14k Gold
Solid Silver Circle Ring Revolution
By Wesley Kloss Fine Jewelry
Located in Cleveland, OH
The Revolution Circle ring steadily cycles from a unique square band to a perfectly circular top and back again. As the square base flows into a lush orga...
Sterling Silver
Dragon Motif Monochromatic Diamond Ring in 18 Karat Gold
By Dilys'
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Dragons: the symbol of power, strength and good luck in Chinese culture, are alluded to in this bold 18 karat gold diamond ring that adds power to any look. Designed by the renowned yet private Hong Kong designer...
Diamond, White Diamond, Black Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Kieselstein Cord Ring 18k Gold Green Tourmaline Intaglio
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
DESIGNER: Barry Kieselstein-Cord CIRCA: 1992 MATERIALS: 18K Gold GEMSTONE: Green Tourmaline WEIGHT: 18.8 Grams RING SIZE: 7 MEASUREMENT: Top - 3/8" x 9/16" HALLMARKS: 1992, Kiesels...
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
1993 Kieselstein-Cord 1.25 CT Round Brilliant Diamond Sapphire Ruby Band Ring
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Gorgeous large diamond, sapphire, and ruby ring by designer Kieselstein-Cord handcrafted in 18 karat green gold. The ring features a bezel set round brilliant cut diamond weighing ap...
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Kieselstein Cord Heliodor Golden Beryl Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Flower Ring
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering a rectangular step cut heliodor beryl gemstone weighing approximately 2.70 carats Transparent with strong orangey yellow color Surrounded by a diamond halo with round bri...
Diamond, White Diamond, Beryl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Kieselstein-Cord Platinum Green Tourmaline Cocktail Ring
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Dallas, TX
This platinum ring features a large apx. 35 cts. Tourmaline and .33 carats of diamonds. The top of the ring measures 1/2 inch wide and 3/4 inches long. It weighs 25.2 grams and the r...
Barry Kieselstein-Cord Gold Winking Sun Moon Ring
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in New York, NY
Authentic Barry Kieselstein-Cord ring crafted in satin finish 18 karat yellow gold features a charming winking sun/moon design. Signed B. Kieselstein Cord, 18K, 1990, with hallmarks....
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Barry Kieselstein Sterling Silver Stallion Ring
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Cincinnati, OH
By designer B. Kieselstein- this ring is perfect for anyone, especially those who love horses! Sterling silver. Oval stallion in running position. Top of ring approximately 23.5mm ...
Sterling Silver
Kieselstein Cord Gold Ring
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Darnestown, MD
Wonderful tailored design ring by Barry Kieselstein Cord. The ring is 5/8" at the front and tapers to 5/16" at the back making it very comfortable to wear. It is hallmarked both insi...
18k Gold
Barry Kieselstein Cord Alligator Ring Blue Chalcedony Sterling 14 Karat Gold
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Torrance, CA
Estate Barry Kieselstein Cord blue chalcedony alligator ring, crafted in sterling silver and 14 karat yellow gold. Blue chalcedony is cabochon cut measuring 8mm. The chalcedony is ...
Chalcedony, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
Barry Kieselstein-Cord Frog with Diamonds Ring 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in MIAMI, FL
Kieselstein-Cord frog wide band ring with round diamonds in 18 karat yellow gold. Made in 2001. Ring size 7.5. Approximately .45 total carat weight. The width is 15 mm and weight is ...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Kieselstein-Cord 3.05 Carat Andalusite Tourmaline 18 Karat Gold Band Ring
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a wide band ring with deeply ridged edges and matte gold finish Centering a bezel set oval mixed cut andalusite weighing approximately 2.55 carats Andalusite displays i...
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
B. Kieselstein Cord Diamond Lemon Citrine 18 Karat Gold Ring
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in New York, NY
B. Kieselstein Cord Diamond Lemon Citrine, 9.70x7.80x5.70 mm crafted in 18 karat yellow gold. Signed B. Kieselstein Cord 2000 stamped 750 with trademark. Ring size 5 1/2. Top of t...
Kiesselstein Cord Peridot, Diamond and Gold Ring
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in New York, NY
An 18 karat yellow gold, peridot and diamond ring, Kiesselstein Cord. Centering a bezel set circular cut peridot, weighing approximately 2.65 carats, within a pave set diamond surrou...
Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold