Materials and Features:

• Rhodium plated silver-tone chunky deco modernist design clip earrings

Type: Clip

Age/Origin: 1960’s - 1970’s

Marks: Ciner ® (to both clips), Ciner © (to one earring base)

The Story: Emanuel Ciner was born in Austria in or around 1864. He came to the US in 1886 and opened the Ciner Jewelry Company six years later in Manhattan. He produced expensive, high-quality fine jewelry with precious gems usually set in gold or platinum. In the 1920s, Emanuel’s sons, Irwin and Charles, joined the business. Irwin oversaw the molding, casting, and enameling techniques. Charles managed the Sales Department. 

During the Depression, Emanuel became the first and only American fine jeweler to make the switch to costume jewelry. He produced necklaces, bracelets, earrings and pins, using rhinestones, crystals, imitation pearls, and gold plate. What did not change was the same high quality as his fine jewelry. All the work was done meticulously by hand by master craftsmen. The pieces were sold in upscale department stores such as Neiman Marcus and Macy’s.

Ciner’s figural pieces shaped like animals and flowers are especially coveted among collectors as are chokers and bracelets with tiny turquoise seed pearls or crystal squares in interlocking zigzag patterns. Other sought-after pieces are the sculptural pendants and cuffs and the hefty chains and crystal-studded drop earrings.

In 1958, Emanuel died. Irwin and Charles carried on the tradition and introduced an array of innovations, including more durable casting molds and white metal alloys that look like precious metals. By the 1960s, Ciner Jewelry was sold at some of the most fashionable stores and was worn by the era’s brightest stars, such as Elizabeth Taylor, Jacqueline Kennedy and the Duchess of Windsor.

Measurements:

• Weight: 28.4g

• Dimensions: Just under 1.25” in length, .875” at widest point

Condition: Very good condition, some minor surface imperfections