Ciner Diamonte and Jet Earrings
View Similar Items
Ciner Diamonte and Jet Earrings
About the Item
Clip back.
Excellent condition.
2.5" Long
1' Wide
- Creator:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1980s
- Condition:Excellent.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU10061246374
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.
- Lobel Modernist Sterling EarringsBy Paul LobelLocated in New York, NYPaul Lobel 1950s Modernist earrings with clip back fittings.
Jewelry as sculpture. Patinaed sterling.
Excellent conditionCategoryVintage 1950s American Dangle Earrings
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Fine French Art Deco Paste and Onyx EarringsLocated in New York, NYFine french art deco paste and onyx drop earrings.Screw back closures with matched onyx long drops and stepped paste caps suspended from six beze...Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Drop Earrings
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Miriam Haskell Ruby andJet EarringsBy Miriam HaskellLocated in New York, NYMiriam Haskell log dangle earrings of japaned metal,and long jet bugle beads , terminating in ruby pate de verre glass beads,circa 1970 3.50"Category
Vintage 1970s American Dangle Earrings
- Gilt Filigreed Victorian EarringsLocated in New York, NYGilded Brass filigree earrings from the late 19th Century. Screw back fittings with a sunflower motif popular in the period.
Excellent codition
3" x 1.5"CategoryAntique Late 19th Century American Victorian Dangle Earrings
MaterialsGilt Metal
- Money Plant Smoke Poured Glass Earrings, Mark Walsh Leslie ChinBy Mark Walsh Leslie ChinLocated in New York, NYMark Walsh Leslie Chin smoke poured glass earrings. Elegant Money Plant form. Handmade in France.
New.Category21st Century and Contemporary French Dangle Earrings
- Joseff of Hollywood Neoclassical EarringBy Joseff of HollywoodLocated in New York, NYLarge scale Joseff of Hollywood earring in signature antique green gold circa 1940. Clip Back.
Length: 3.25"
Width: 1.25"CategoryVintage 1940s American Dangle Earrings
MaterialsGilt Metal
- Horus Earrings by Ammanii in Vermeil Gold with Long TasselsBy AmmaniiLocated in Beverly Hills, CAWe envisioned the deity son Horus honoring his mother Goddess Isis through this beautiful earring. Part of our Malikat = Queens collection- an homage to the queens of ancient Egypt. ...Category
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
MaterialsZircon, Vermeil
- Ammanii Lapis Lazuli with Pearl Moon + Star Ear Jacket Earrings in Vermeil GoldBy AmmaniiLocated in Beverly Hills, CAOne of our top sellers! The jacket earrings are masterfully handcrafted from vermeil gold, base is sterling silver with a thicker coating of 18k yellow gold, in a satin finish. The dangling stars are sterling silver plated with black ruthenium. The stones are hand cut and had set natural Lapis Lazuli, Freshwater Pearls and high grade Cubic Zirconia. Star studs can also be worn separately. Light weight for maximum comfort with back post lifts for support and better fit. Part of our Sa'mma -Sky Collection- Homage to the sky; the universal blanket that covers mankind and unites us all under its wings. The natural blue Lapis Lazuli earrings...Category
2010s Egyptian Contemporary Dangle Earrings
MaterialsLapis Lazuli, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Zircon, Vermeil, Sterling Silver,...
$600 / setFree Shipping - Ammanii Vermeil Gold Drop Earrings with Freshwater Pearls and TasselsBy AmmaniiLocated in Beverly Hills, CAPart of our new collection Malikat = Queens. Inspired by the ruling females of ancient Egypt. Queen Nefertari means "Beautiful Companion"- These stunning statement earrings are an ode to her reign and the legacy to dare to set out of the box. Hand crafted vermeil gold with hand set clear zircon...Category
2010s Egyptian Victorian Drop Earrings
MaterialsZircon, Freshwater Pearl, Vermeil
- Ammanii Key Earrings with Ankh Amulet in Vermeil GoldBy AmmaniiLocated in Beverly Hills, CAThese Key earrings are masterfully handcrafted from sterling silver base with 18k yellow gold plating, in a satin finish with high grade hand set Cubic Zi...Category
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
MaterialsZircon, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
- Boulder Opal, Emerald and Lapis EarringsBy Tinguely BijouxLocated in Boston, MAGorgeous trio of custom cut Boulder Opal, sliced Emerald and Afghani Lapis Lazuli set in 18 karat gold. Handmade bezels shaped in ancient lost wax casting method. One of a kind.Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Drop Earrings
MaterialsEmerald, Lapis Lazuli, Opal, 18k Gold
- Lapis Lazuli EarringsBy Tinguely BijouxLocated in Boston, MAFabulous bezel set three drop Lapis Lazuli earrings set in solid 18 karat gold. Handmade in ancient lost wax casting method. One of a kind.Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Drop Earrings
MaterialsLapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold