Ciner 1970s Enamel and Rhinestone Vintage Zebra Cuff
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Dimensions:Diameter: 2.17 in (55 mm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:c.1970
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Skelmersdale, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3689222155212
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: Skelmersdale, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- 1930s Green Bakelite and Gilded Metal Vintage Hinged CuffLocated in Skelmersdale, GBThis stylish example of Bakelite jewellery dates from the 1930s. Condition Report: Excellent The Details... This hinged cuff is constructed from marbled green Bakelite. It is deta...Category
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsBase Metal
- Chanel Autumn/Winter 2001 Gold Plated and Pink Leather Vintage Logo BraceletBy ChanelLocated in Skelmersdale, GBThis chic bracelet was created by Chanel in 2001. Condition Report: Excellent The Details... This bracelet features a gold plated curb link chain threaded with a pink leather strap...Category
Early 2000s French Charm Bracelets
MaterialsGold Plate
- Schiaparelli Late 1950s Statement Vintage Rhinestone BraceletBy Elsa SchiaparelliLocated in Skelmersdale, GBA beautiful bracelet by a much sought after maker of costume jewellery. This piece dates from the late 1950s and was created by Schiaparelli. Condition Report: Excellent The Detail...Category
Vintage 1950s American Retro Retro Bracelets
- Jakob Bengel 1930s Chrome and Red Galalith Vintage BraceletBy Jakob BengelLocated in Skelmersdale, GBThis stylish bracelet dates from the 1930s and was created by Jakob Bengel. Condition Report: Excellent The Details... This bracelet is constructed from chrome plated metal and r...Category
Vintage 1930s German Art Deco Link Bracelets
- Christian Dior 1980s Gold Plated 'Cannage' Design Vintage BraceletBy Christian DiorLocated in Skelmersdale, GBThis chic bracelet is a lovely example of Christian Dior's 1980s gold plated jewellery. Condition Report: Excellent The Details... This gold plated bracelet features 4 crinkle edge...Category
Vintage 1980s German Link Bracelets
MaterialsGold Plate
- Jakob Bengel 1930s Chrome, Bakelite and Galalith Vintage NecklaceBy Jakob BengelLocated in Skelmersdale, GBThis stylish necklace dates from the 1930s and was created by Jakob Bengel. Condition Report: Excellent The Details... This necklace is constructed from chrome plated metal. It is...Category
Vintage 1930s German Art Deco Beaded Necklaces
- 0.01ct Gold And Diamond Fish NecklaceLocated in Fatih, 34Product Details : • Made to Order • Gold Kt: 14kt • Available Gold Colors: Rose Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold • 0.01ct Natural Round Diamond • Diamonds VS/SI Clarity • Comes ...Category
2010s European Modern Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, 14k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Five Row Diamond Bracelet, Platinum and 18kBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYA Van Cleef & Arpels Five Row Diamond Bracelet made in Platinum and 18k white gold. The length of the bracelet is 7 inches long and 0.72 inches wide, weighing 78.90 grams. Signed and...Category
20th Century Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, Platinum
- Sistema Bracelet v2 (0.4 CT, Diamond Slab, 9mm, KA+DIA)By Parts of FourLocated in PARIS, FRBracelet in oxydized sterling silver and a slab of rough diamond. This slab is removed from a larger chunk of diamond. The Sistema series expresses the core principle of P/4 which is...Category
2010s Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, Sterling Silver
- 1980s Van Cleef & Arpels Ruby and Diamond Bracelet, 18k YellowBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NY"A Van Cleef & Arpels Ruby and Diamond Bracelet made in 18k Yellow and Pink Gold. Signed Van Cleef Arpels, Numbered, French assay marks for gold. The Certificate of Authenticity by V...Category
Vintage 1980s Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
- French Sculptor Henri Nogaret Bronze and Brass Brutalist Cuff Bracelet, 1960sBy Henri NogaretLocated in Atlanta, GAFrench sculptor and painter Henri Nogaret (1927 -) created this sculptural brutalist bronze and brass cuff bracelet in the 1960s. The large brass band is topped with a gilded bronze ...Category
Vintage 1960s French Modernist Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsBronze, Brass
- Claude Montana for Marie Paris Gilt Metal Lace Cuff BraceletBy Claude MontanaLocated in Atlanta, GASuperb romantic cuff bracelet designed by Claude Montana for Marie Paris. An oversized Hellenistic-inspired intricate carved and see-thru shape with textured gilt metal featuring lac...Category
1990s French Modernist Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsGilt Metal