Ciner Ruby Pate de Verre and Pave Rondel Necklace
About the Item
- Creator:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1980s
- Condition:Excellent.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU11061946921
Ciner
What defines “fine” jewelry? For many aficionados, there’s a clear line separating the golden wheat from the gilded chaff. But the handcrafted pieces made by Ciner, a 128-year-old costume jewelry house with a glittering past to rival some of the hautest high jewelers, call into question our notions of what constitutes preciousness.
Quality? Craftsmanship? Painstaking detail? Vintage Ciner earrings, brooches, necklaces and other accessories have them all in spades.
Much of the Ciner’s allure can be traced to its origins in fine jewelry. Emanuel Ciner, an Austrian immigrant, founded the firm in Manhattan in 1892, crafting pieces from the traditional precious gems, gold and platinum. But World War I and the Great Depression caused purse strings to tighten and materials to become scarce. Rather than try to weather the economic downturn, which shuttered many other American jewelers, Ciner made the risky transition from fine jewelry to costume (or fashion) jewelry — virtually uncharted territory.
Emanuel Ciner’s sons, Irwin and Charles, introduced an array of innovations — rubber casting molds, which are especially durable and produce higher quality results, and white metal alloys, which affordably mimic the look of more precious materials — that would become the standard for costume jewelry. During World War II, Ciner’s advanced molding technology was utilized by the U.S. military to produce munitions and tools. This arrangement gave the firm access to the heavily rationed metals it needed for its jewels, enabling it again to endure conditions that drove others into bankruptcy.
The company hit its stride in the 1960s, when its jewelry was sold at some of the country’s toniest stores, even garnering an Andy Warhol–illustrated ad for Bonwit Teller. Its pieces were worn by the era’s brightest stars. In the famous 1957 Joe Shere photo of Sophia Loren sneering at Jayne Mansfield’s décolletage, Mansfield is resplendent in shoulder-grazing Ciner earrings.
Ciner is unique among costume jewelers in that its pieces aren’t imitations — they are coveted in their own right. Elizabeth Taylor, a voracious jewelry collector with a taste for the very finest, was a longtime client. Several suites of Ciner jewels were included in the 2011 Christie’s sale of Taylor’s collection, with one group of rhinestone-studded ear clips and a bracelet fetching $15,600 — more than 100 times the auction estimate. It’s a reminder of a time, not so long ago, when women of great style wore fine and costume jewelry with equal aplomb, often at the same time.
Today, Ciner — now run by Emanuel Ciner’s granddaughter Pat Ciner Hill and great-granddaughter Jean Hill — continues to adhere to the same exacting production specifications. It is the only jewelry house in New York, and likely the United States, that manufactures all its pieces entirely in-house. Each begins with dozens of elements that are cast in rubber molds and then individually filed and polished, plated in a particularly thick layer of 18-karat gold or rhodium, assembled on the bench and painted with enamel or set with stones. Every step is performed by hand by craftsmen, many of whom have been with the company for more than 30 years.
Find vintage Ciner clip-on earrings, choker necklaces, bracelets and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Miriam Haskell Double Strand Elaborate Pearl NecklaceBy Miriam HaskellLocated in New York, NYSuperb Miriam Haskell two strand long faux pearl necklace. The signature graduated pearls spaced with back to back sewn rose monte crystals.The center focal pendant of two large face...Category
Vintage 1940s American Multi-Strand Necklaces
MaterialsGilt Metal
- Ruby and Pearl Torsade NecklaceLocated in New York, NYAttractive Torsade necklace of multistrand pearls and ruby glass beads with matte gold clasp. 1.5" x 15". 1980s USA. Excellent condition.Category
Vintage 1980s American Multi-Strand Necklaces
MaterialsGilt Metal
- Mimi di Nardo Snake Clasp PearlsBy Mimi di NLocated in New York, NYStriking Mimi di Nardo Snake Clasp Pearls from the 1960's with multiple strand of faux pearls with gilt coiled snake clasp with faux emerald eyes. Approx 1...Category
Vintage 1960s American Artisan Multi-Strand Necklaces
MaterialsGilt Metal
- Chanel Haute Couture Semi Precious Necklace FW 2006By Maison Goossens for ChanelLocated in New York, NYMassive Maison Goossens for Chanel Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2006 artisan inspired long multistrand semiprecious stone bead necklace. Composed of multi strands of jet, tumbled, facet...Category
Early 2000s French Artisan Multi-Strand Necklaces
MaterialsOnyx, Rock Crystal, Palladium, Rhodium, Bronze
- Bold Ruby Bead Torsade NecklaceLocated in New York, NYBold torsade necklace made from multiple strands of ruby pate de verre beads, held by gilded tubular spacers. 1980's USA. Excellent condition. 18" x...Category
Vintage 1980s American Multi-Strand Necklaces
MaterialsGilt Metal
- Chanel 4 Strand Textured Chain NecklaceBy Karl Lagerfeld for ChanelLocated in New York, NYLovely, classic Chanel 4 Strand Textured Gilt Bronze Chain Necklace in gilt bronze from the 1980's. CC Logo fob on back fastener. High quality construction. ...Category
Vintage 1980s French Chain Necklaces
MaterialsBronze, Gilt Metal
- large statement-collier, tourquiose and Swarovsky pearls, eyecatcher in greenLocated in Berlin, DElarge statement-collier, tourquiose and Swarovsky pearls, eyecatcher in green this necklace is really something to be seen artfully finished with Swarovsky stones, modern design obj...Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Multi-Strand Necklaces
MaterialsTurquoise
- Three-row chain made of wood, plastic and glass with original claspLocated in Berlin, DEThree-row chain made of wood, plastic and glass with original clasp This is a piece of german understanding in design after the Bauhaus era, a synthesis classiq and modern materials ...Category
Vintage 1930s German Art Deco Multi-Strand Necklaces
- Statement amethyst necklaceLocated in Berlin, DEStatement amethyst necklace Opulent necklace made of rose´farbenen natural stones. Two interwoven strands of cut amethysts carry a pendant...Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Multi-Strand Necklaces
MaterialsAmethyst
- Necklace made of black limestone and black Swarovski pearlsLocated in Berlin, DENecklace made of black limestone and black Swarovski pearls Handmade chain made of black limestone. On the chain floral elements were artfully tied. T...Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Multi-Strand Necklaces
- Necklace of Swarovski pearls and freshwater pearls, white colouredLocated in Berlin, DENecklace of Swarovski pearls and freshwater pearls Handmade chain in light color. This necklace made of Swarovsky pearls was made of large pearls and smaller freshwater pearls...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Beaded Necklaces
- Necklace made of Gablonz glass beads with rhinestone heartLocated in Berlin, DENecklace made of Gablonz glass beads with rhinestone heart Upcycled antique glass beads newly combined with a belt buckle from the fifties. Cut black ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Beaded Necklaces