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
Retro Men’s 1.50tcw Diamonds Carved Nugget 14k Gold Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Retro Men’s 1.50tcw Diamonds Carved Nugget 14k Gold Ring. The diamonds are high quality H/SI1 and weight a total of 1.50 carat. The ribs is a size 11.5 and weights 9 grams. The ring ...
Diamond, 14k Gold
0.98 Carat Diamond 3D Star of David Merkaba Ring in 18K Yellow Gold By Tamir
By Merkaba
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This 18K yellow gold diamond ring features a striking three dimensional Merkaba Star of David design set with approximately 0.98 carats total weight of diamonds. Crafted in the Unite...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Platinum 3D Star of David Merkaba Ring Sculptural Tetrahedron By Merkaba Jewelry
By Merkaba
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This platinum 3D Star of David ring by Merkaba is a dramatic sculptural statement, crafted as a three dimensional tetrahedron that rises approximate...
Platinum
18K Rose Gold 3D Star of David Merkaba Ring Star Tetrahedron Sculptural Size 6
By Merkaba
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This 18K rose gold 3D Star of David ring by Merkaba is a dramatic sculptural piece of spiritual jewelry, crafted as a three dimensional star tetrahe...
18k Gold, Rose Gold
German Kabirski Liron Singular Edition Silver Ring With Amethyst & Black Spinel
By German Kabirski
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
The Liron ring is handcrafted in sterling silver with black rhodium plating. Developed as a signet ring, it features a textured surface that shifts the piece away from a traditional ...
Amethyst, Spinel, Black Spinel, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage .70 Ct Diamond Coiled Snake 18 Kt ring
Located in Napoli, IT
Popular throughout history, meaningful love token, snakes represent eternity and symbolic for many cultures This beautiful vintage coiled snake Diamond ring is 1920 ca, hand crafted of solid 18 Kt gold Jewelled head holding a primitive early brilliant cut Diamond of .50 Ct very good quality G VVS – clean and bright white – nestled into a halo of little Diamonds 17 in number adding .20 Ct altogether H/I VVS...
Diamond, 18k Gold
18k Ancient Roman Style Gold Coin Ring with a reproduction of a Roman Solidus
Located in Camisano Vicentino, VI
Ancient Roman Style Gold Coin Ring in 18k or 14k white and yellow gold, made in Italy. Discover the exquisite craftsmanship of our Made in Italy men's gold ring, available in 14k or ...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Art Deco 1.20 Ct Natural Sapphire .40 Ct Diamond Three Stone Gent 18 KT Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
This fabulous Diamond Sapphire three stone Gent ring is 1930 circa Beautiful designed hand crafted of solid 18 KT gold, Italian marks from the period Facing up with a classy combinat...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage Carved Agate 14 Karat Yellow Gold Crest Unisex Signet Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering a cartouche-shaped agate tablet carved with a heraldic crest intaglio Opaque dark grayish blue and measuring 10.0 x 12.5 mm - intaglio is dark blue Depicting a shield flan...
Agate, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Kabbalistic Medieval Magic Ring +A+G+L+A+ c. 1250 – 1350
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1250–1350 This very rare and important medieval magical or amuletic ring is crafted in high purity silver and partially fire-gilded. The ring is formed in a stirrup shape, a t...
Silver
Victorian Carved Agate 14 Karat Yellow Gold Antique Heraldic Signet Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering an oval-shaped agate tablet measuring 15.0 x 10.5 mm Banded opaque black and grayish-white - carved with intaglio Depicting a heraldic coat of arms with banner and capped m...
Agate, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Men’s 0.30 Carat Diamonds 1/10oz Fine Gold Elizabeth II Coin Ring 18k
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Men’s 0.30 Total Carat Weight Diamonds 1/10oz Fine Gold Elizabeth II Coin Ring 18k Iconic ring from the 1970s Featuring 1/10oz 999.9% fine gold coin Canada...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, 24k 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