Clear and grey paste drop earrings, Kenneth Jay Lane (KJL), USA, 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:
- Weight:32 g
- Dimensions:Width: 1.25 in (31.75 mm)Length: 2.5 in (63.5 mm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:mid 1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Greyabbey, GB
- Reference Number:
Kenneth Jay Lane
The father of so-called “fabulous fakes,” Kenneth Jay Lane was a spirited innovator within the jewelry industry, designing elegant and luxurious pieces without the use of real jewels. And while Lane aspired to create classic designs for earrings, bracelets and necklaces intended for everyday wear, his pieces caught the attention of celebrities, royalty and socialites.
From a young age, the Detroit, Michigan-born Lane was a lover of fashion. He studied at the Rhode Island School of Design and the University of Michigan. He pursued a design career in New York City, and a failed start in the art department of Vogue magazine led to a decade of designing shoes for the likes of Delman and Christian Dior.
Lane would occasionally develop shoe designs for friends he had in the fashion world such as Bill Blass and Arnold Scaasi. A show for the latter afforded him the opportunity to beautify shoes with rhinestones and create bangles and earrings to pair with the footwear — he found plastic bracelets at discount variety store and had them embellished by craftspeople at a shoe factory.
A love for costume jewelry design emerged thereafter. Lane created his own collection and admirers such as Jackie Kennedy and Elizabeth Taylor showered him with praise. A pearl necklace he designed was worn by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. In the early 1960s, ready-to-wear pioneer Hattie Carnegie purchased Lane’s jewelry line. Lane was given the position of design director for Carnegie but he soon changed course, moving instead into a small studio and pursuing his own path.
Lane worked with milk glass, gilded silver hardware, faux coral and other materials, and sold pendant necklaces, dangle earrings and modern bracelets to private customers. He was fond of renowned fine jewelry houses Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels and designers such as Jean Schlumberger, and cited having found inspiration in Egyptian and Indian jewelry over the years as well as Art Deco jewelry. Lane’s designs, which he called “faque” and “junque,” became well-known for their distinctive color combinations and clever characteristics such as embroidery. By the time he purchased a small jewelry factory in Providence, Rhode Island, where his accessories would be made during the 1960s, Lane had secured relationships with top Manhattan boutiques and his work had caught the attention of fashion magazines.
Directed by the filmmaker Gisèle Roman, a 2018 documentary about Lane’s life and work called Fabulously Fake: The Real Life of Kenneth Jay Lane features interviews with legendary fashion designers Carolina Herrera, Tory Burch and Diane von Furstenberg.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Kenneth Jay Lane brooches, rings and other accessories.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Greyabbey, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Very long turquoise glass cabuchon and clear paste 3 drop earrings, KJL, 1960s.By Kenneth Jay LaneLocated in Greyabbey, County DownSpectacular and very glamorous three row drop earrings, with three articulated drop row of alternating turquoise glass cabuchons and clear pastes, made by Kenneth Jay Lane. These are...Category
Vintage 1960s American Chandelier Earrings
MaterialsBase Metal
- A pair of very long pearl and paste drop earrings, Robert de Mario, USA, 1950sLocated in Greyabbey, County DownStunning and dramatic, very long 'chandelier' earrings, hand made, from the 1950s by Robert de Mario. With long baroque pearl fringing and gilt filigre...Category
Vintage 1960s American Baroque Chandelier Earrings
MaterialsGilt Metal
- 'WW' emerald and peridot poured glass, pearl 'Harlequin' drop earrings, 2018By WW CollectionLocated in Greyabbey, County DownFrom the ‘Harlequin' range in the WW collection, a contemporary limited edition, designed in London,handmade in Paris - these chic and elegant, articulated, signed drop earrings in c...Category
2010s French Chandelier Earrings
MaterialsGilt Metal
- 'WW' mixed ruby and opaline poured glass, 'Harlequin' drop earrings, 2018.By WW CollectionLocated in Greyabbey, County DownFrom the ‘Harlequin' range in the WW collection, a contemporary limited edition, designed in London,handmade in Paris - these chic and elegant articulated signed drop earrings in ca...Category
2010s French Chandelier Earrings
MaterialsGilt Metal
- 'WW; sapphire, light sapphire poured glass, and pearl 3 row drop earrings, 2018Located in Greyabbey, County DownFrom the ‘Harlequin' range in the WW collection, a contemporary limited edition, designed in London,handmade in Paris - these chic and elegant, articulated, signed drop earrings in c...Category
2010s French Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsGilt Metal
- Clear poured glass and silver leaf multi strand drop earrings, WW Collection.By WW CollectionLocated in Greyabbey, County DownChic and elegant articulated signed drop earrings, in three staggered rows of silver leaf, set in clear poured glass,mixed with pearls, from the WW collection, a contemporary limite...Category
2010s French Chandelier Earrings
MaterialsBase Metal
- 18Kt Yellow Gold with Mother of Pearl and Malachite Modern EarringsLocated in GALLARATE, ITFashion earrings handmade in Italy by Stanoppi Jewellery since 1948. Unique earrings Mother of Pearls heart mm 12x18 and Malachite heart mm7x10 g.18,20 All Stanoppi Jewelry...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chandelier Earrings
MaterialsMalachite, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- 14k Gold Grape Earrings with Emeralds and AmethystsBy Daizy JewelleryLocated in Istanbul, TR14 kt solid gold earrings with natural emeralds and amethysts. Grape design earrings. May birthstone. February birthstone. Weight: 3.1 g. Size:17.5 x 10 mm. 14k gold - tested Gemst...Category
2010s Turkish Modern Chandelier Earrings
MaterialsAmethyst, Emerald, 14k Gold
- Alex Jona Multicolor Sapphire White Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Drop EarringsBy Alex JonaLocated in Torino, ITAlex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, long drop earrings consisting of a waterfall of 14 multicolor drop shape multicolor sapphires, weighing 12.17 carats in total and...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chandelier Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Sleeping Earrings Lapis Lazuli Tanzanite Calcédonyand Black Gold 18 KaratLocated in Vannes, FRDiscover these beautiful, exquisite earrings that elegantly combine lapis lazuli, chalcedony, tanzanite and a sumptuous black gold plating. Their creations are the result of meticulo...Category
2010s Baroque Chandelier Earrings
MaterialsLapis Lazuli, Tanzanite, Gold, 18k Gold
- Earrings in Pink Gold with Mother-of-Pearl, Diamonds 0.14 Carat and Gray AgateLocated in Vannes, FREarrings in Pink Gold with Mother-of-pearl, Diamonds 0.14 Carat and Gray Agate Chandelier earring in 18 Carat pink gold accompanied by a mother-of-pearl whi...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Artisan Chandelier Earrings
MaterialsAgate, Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
- Vrba Turquoise Chandelier EarringsBy VRBALocated in Scottsdale, AZThese huge Lawrence VRBA earrings are a rare find. Look no further for a one-of-a-kind statement earring to wear to your next event. Dozens of clear crystals surround a large turquoi...Category
Vintage 1980s Chandelier Earrings