It didn’t matter that Marilyn F. Cooperman didn’t have any formal training when well-known American luxury jeweler Fred Leighton asked her to design jewelry. By then, she had written professionally about fashion, established her own clothing company, and built up so much New York City chutzpah that she could have made it anywhere.
When she was 20 years old, the Toronto-born Cooperman moved to New Zealand and wrote a newspaper column about fashion and beauty. In 1963, she relocated to New York City and opened her first clothing company, Max and Marilyn, where she sold Art Deco–inspired clothing to department stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman and Bloomingdale’s.
Cooperman designed a collection of resort wear for Fred Leighton’s apparel store, but by the mid-1970s, she returned to writing and worked as a fashion director for Seventeen magazine and later held editing roles at Simplicity and Vogue Patterns.
In 1987, Leighton, an esteemed red carpet jeweler who has become known for bringing antique and 20th-century jewels to a discerning international clientele, asked Cooperman to design accessories for his store on Madison Avenue. She accepted his offer and took up studies on wax casting at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
After five years of designing for Leighton, Cooperman opened her own jewelry company, Marilyn F. Cooperman, Inc. Her earrings were brightly colored, eye-catching confections that featured opals, rubies and blue sapphires, and she created innovative, alluring bracelets that mixed patinated silver and 18-karat gold. Her accessories were a hit, especially among celebrities, political figures and royalty.
Cooperman’s jewelry is held in the collections of the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City, the Yale University Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. She was on the Board of the American Society of Jewelry Historians.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Marilyn F. Cooperman earrings, brooches and rings.
Marilyn Cooperman Fire Opal and Tsavorite Drop Earrings
By Marilyn F. Cooperman
Located in New York, NY
Marilyn's version of "Hot Peppers" served up in 18kt Yellow Gold with stupendous Fire Opals - Total weight 25.71cts and sprinkled with bezel and prong set Green Tsavorites. SignedM...
Opal, Tsavorite, 18k Gold
Marilyn Cooperman Diamond Gold Platinum Earrings
By Marilyn F. Cooperman
Located in New York, NY
Signed Marilyn Cooperman Clip on Shell Earrings evocative of the Sea in a very sultry manner. Each Shell has a pierced center section, pave s...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Marilyn Cooperman Snowflake Diamond Earrings
By Marilyn F. Cooperman
Located in New York, NY
Pair of signed Marilyn Cooperman Yellow Diamond Snowflake Earrings set in 18kt Yellow Gold and Patinated Silver
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Marilyn F. Cooperman Fancy Colored Diamond Half Moon Earclips
By Marilyn F. Cooperman
Located in San Antonio, TX
Marilyn Cooperman Fancy Colored Diamond Half Moon Earclips set in 18k yellow gold and Sterling Silver. Signed MFC. Circa 2000.
Diamond, 18k Gold
$3,975 / set
Marilyn Cooperman Gold and Citrine Earrings
By Marilyn F. Cooperman
Located in Darnestown, MD
These very large, gold and citrine earrings are unusually streamlined for New York designer, Marilyn Cooperman. Cooperman designed for Madiso...
Citrine, 18k Gold
Blue Topaz & Citrine 18 Karat Yellow Gold Clip-On Earrings
Located in New York, NY
These architectonic earrings, made in the 21st century, circa 2019, are not only an homage to Art Deco design with their forms conjuring details from soaring skyscrapers of the perio...
Citrine, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18k Gold Sapphire and Diamond Earrings
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Impressive ribbon wedged heirloom 18k gold clip-ons featuring a sparkling cluster of Montana sapphires enhanced by several diamonds. Additional ribbon wedges of textured gold form th...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Gold Platinum Diamond Earrings by Verdura
By Verdura
Located in Austin, TX
A beautiful and classic pair of Verdura 18k yellow gold and platinum set diamond clip earrings. The total diamond weight is 1.0 carats. The total earring weight is 24.1 grams. ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Earclips
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This bold pair of 18K yellow gold earclips from the 1960s showcases a beautifully hand-textured cluster design, enhanced by twelve single and transitional round brilliant...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sapphire and Diamond Drop Earrings in White Gold
Located in Lucerne, CH
Elegant pair of ear hanger in white gold 750. Beautifully set in four double prongs with two blue sapphires totaling 12.50 ct. Further set with two pear shape diamonds and two cushio...
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Stardurst Diamond Stud Earrings
By Meghna Jewels
Located in Hoffman Estate, IL
These earrings are meticulously crafted in 18-karat gold and sterling silver. It is hand set in 4.57 carats of sparkling of diamonds. FOLLOW MEGHNA JEWELS storefront to view the la...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
1970's 18k Leaf Diamond Earclips
Located in New York, NY
18k White gold and yellow gold diamond earrings Approximately 1 cts of diamonds Total weight 15.1 dwt Measurement 36.95 mm x 19.94 mm
Marilyn Cooperman Keshi Pearl and Diamond Day to Night Earrings
By Marilyn Cooperman
Located in San Antonio, TX
18k gold and platinum ear pendants by Marilyn Cooperman, consisting of 5.00 carats of diamonds surrounding inlaid Keshi pearls of various sizes. Earring drops detach for day or night wear...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
$684
W 0.83 in L 0.83 in
Christian Dior Vintage 1980s Pearl Crystals Radiant Flower Snowflake Earrings
By Christian Dior
Located in Wokingham, England
Christian Dior Vintage 1980s Radiant Flower Snowflake White Pearl Crystals Elegant Clip Earrings, Gold Plated Very good condition. Some light scratches and colour loss, barely notic...
Gold Plate
$1,989 / set
H 0.95 in W 0.24 in
Australian Boulder Opal Diamond Tsavorite Drop Earrings 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Suwanee, GA
Australian Boulder Opal Diamond Tsavorite Drop Earrings. Free Domestic USPS First Class Shipping! Free Gift Bag or Box with every order! Opal—the queen of gemstones, is one of the ...
Diamond, Opal, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Yellow Gold and Platinum Diamond Flame Earrings
By Valentin Magro
Located in New York, NY
The rhythm of flames are the inspiration for these earrings. Thick strands with V-shaped ends sweep past each other and overlap in a fanciful arrangement. Platinum forms the strands,...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum, Gold, Yellow Gold
David Webb Platinum & 18K Yellow Gold Hammered Teardrop, Diamond Earrings
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
David Webb 18k yellow gold teardrop stud earrings. Features hammered yellow gold and a teardrop design with just a touch of round brilliant cut diamonds. Length: 25mm Width: 20mm (a...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Marilyn Cooperman "Pierced Pillow" Bracelet
By Marilyn F. Cooperman
Located in Bal Harbour, FL
An iconic example of a talented designer's capacity for unique design. This is one of the most striking bracelets that you could ever hope to wear. The highly three dimensional m...
White Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
Marilyn Cooperman "Pierced Pillow" Earrings
By Marilyn F. Cooperman
Located in Bal Harbour, FL
A great match to the "Pierced Pillow" bracelet, or as stand alone show stoppers. The unique design of these wonderfully voluminous earrings is truly captivating. The open work, and...
White Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
Marilyn Cooperman Carnelian, Gold and Silver Earrings
By Marilyn F. Cooperman
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 18 karat yellow gold, silver and carnelian earrings. Marilyn Cooperman. Circa 1990. The earrings are known as Persimmon Salad. Signed MFC, 925, 750 and GB. Gross wei...
Carnelian, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Marilyn Cooperman Chrysler Redux Patinated Silver and Gold Clip-On Earrings
By Marilyn F. Cooperman
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Earrings to match Marilyn's Chrysler Redux Bracelet - an homage to New York's famed Chrysler Building Marked 925 & 750 and signed MFC.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
Marilyn Cooperman Ivy Necklace with Moonstones
By Marilyn F. Cooperman
Located in New York, NY
18kt Yellow Gold and Patinated Silver Ivy Necklace composed of 11 Graduated & striated Ivy Leaves made of Patinated Silver and applied with 18kt Yellow Go...
Moonstone, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
Marilyn Cooperman "Stitches" Patinated Silver and Gold Drop Earrings
By Marilyn F. Cooperman
Located in New York, NY
Bold Clip on Earrings constructed of finely pierced Patinated Silver Elements stitched together in 18kt Yellow Gold fastenings. Very bold and wearable both Day and nNight Signed MFC...
18k Gold, Silver
Marilyn Cooperman Midnight Keshi Streak Earclips
By Marilyn F. Cooperman
Located in Bal Harbour, FL
Nearly three inches long of pure, Marilyn Cooperman, unique design. Who else could so cleverly combine keshi pearls, diamonds, patinated silver and gold. Circa 2013, these come fro...
White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Marilyn Cooperman Zig-Zag Hoop Champagne Diamond Earrings
By Marilyn F. Cooperman
Located in Bal Harbour, FL
Bold, unique and undeniably Marilyn Cooperman, the combination of patinated silver, yellow gold and champagne diamonds has almost become her trademark. These showstoppers are no exc...
Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Marilyn Cooperman Keshi and Diamond Day/Night Drop Earrings
By Marilyn F. Cooperman
Located in New York, NY
Elegant Day/Night Keshi Earrings - totaling 30.6 Grains and full cut clean white Diamonds totaling 6.70cts giving a snow white luster. Can't miss. Su...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Marilyn Cooperman Japanese Mixed Metal Ring
By Marilyn F. Cooperman
Located in Bal Harbour, FL
Harking back to her days of design with the antique jeweler Fred Leighton, Cooperman incorporates a vintage Japanese mixed metal object into this ...
18k Gold, Silver, Copper
Walnut Earclips by Marilyn Cooperman
By Marilyn F. Cooperman
Located in San Antonio, TX
18k hold and sterling silver earclips by Marilyn Cooperman. Signed.
18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Marilyn Cooperman Gold Carved Jade and Yellow Diamond Ring
By Marilyn F. Cooperman
Located in Bal Harbour, FL
A truly one of a kind piece by a one of a kind designer. Cooperman expertly combines these two contrasting materials. The softness of the delicately carved sea green jade is offset...
Yellow Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold