Kenneth Jay Lane KJL Starfish Earrings
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:Gold Plate
- Dimensions:Diameter: 1.25 in (31.75 mm)
- Style:Modernist
- Place of Origin:United States
- Period:1960-1969
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:excellent vintage.
- Seller Location:Montreal, CA
- 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: Montreal, Canada
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Vintage Year of the Tiger Estate Bone Agate Brooch Pin PendantLocated in Montreal, QCUnique Vintage Brooch Pendant depicting a Tiger encased in a Sterling Silver surround, suspending an Agate drop. Surround marked on reverse: STE...Category
Late 20th Century Modernist Brooches
MaterialsAgate, Sterling Silver
- Stunning Vintage Designer CINER Signed Faux Diamond Estate Brooch PinBy CinerLocated in Montreal, QCElegant & Stylish Modernist Estate signed CINER Gold tone articulated Ribbons inter-spaced with same Ribbons set with sparkling Faux Diamanté set stones; signed by designer CINER on...Category
Late 20th Century American Modernist Brooches
MaterialsGold Plate
- KJL Kenneth Jay Lane Jeweled Enamel Salamander Lizard Brooch Pin Estate FindBy Kenneth Jay LaneLocated in Montreal, QCStriking signed Kenneth Lane (KJL) Salamander Statement Brooch featuring a scampering Salamander; rich green enamel body set with a row of pave set sparkling Faux Diamonds and large ...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modernist Brooches
MaterialsGold Plate, Enamel
- Vintage Diamond Filigree Gold Dragonfly Articulating Tail Brooch PinLocated in Montreal, QCSimply Beautiful! Diamond Dragonfly with Articulating Tail Gold Brooch. Encrusted with Hand set Diamonds, weighing approx. 0.92tcw. Hand crafted in 18 Karat White Gold. This pin is i...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Diamond Amethyst Citrine Retro 2-Tone Gold Brooch Pin Estate Fine JewelryLocated in Montreal, QCSimply Beautiful and finely detailed Retro Stylized Flower Design Gold Brooch Hand set with 8 Diamonds, approx. 0.35tcw, 1 Citrine approx. 1.15ct and 6 Baguette Amethyst...Category
Mid-20th Century Retro Brooches
MaterialsAmethyst, Citrine, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
- Spider Bug Sterling Silver Mid Century Modern Vintage Brooch PinLocated in Montreal, QCWhimsical spider pin, crafted in sterling silver; featuring four arched silver wire legs, bulbous torso and head and protuberant eyes. Marked: MEXICO STERLING 925. Approx. size: 1.5...Category
Vintage 1950s Mexican Modernist Brooches
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Victorian 18 Karat Gold Old Cut Diamond Pearl Agate Bow Shell Shape Pin BroochLocated in Vilnius, LTThis is a delicate Victorian bow shell shape pin brooch crafted in 18K gold. Circa 1890. The piece features a carved shell shape agate. There is a pearl in the centre. The bow is ad...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches
MaterialsAgate, Diamond, Pearl, Gold
- Renaissance Portrait Cameo of Emperor Vespasian in a Gold BroochLocated in Chicago, ILPortrait Cameo of Emperor Vespasian in a Gold Brooch Agate, gold Italy?, 16th century Weight 10.2 gr.; Dimensions 48.7 × 39 mm. Description: Three-layered agate cameo (black-white-...Category
Antique 16th Century Italian Brooches
MaterialsAgate, Gold
- Pair of Lea Stein Mandarin Brooch Pins Estate JewelryBy Lea SteinLocated in Los Angeles, CALea Stein vintage Art Deco style a pair of Mandarin brooch pins These are very RARE. Beautiful color way in purple, blue and cream V shaped heat mounted pin, SIGNED - Lea Stein PARIS...Category
Vintage 1960s French Modernist Brooches
- 7.50 Carat VVS Diamond and Colombian Emerald PinLocated in Miami, FLExquisite in its elegance, this 14K white gold ring features a remarkable 2-carat emerald cut Colombian emerald, showcasing its vivid green hue and intense fire. Surrounding the emer...Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Art Deco Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
- Diamond Enamel Gold Baby Shoe Charm Safety Pin BroochLocated in New York, NY18k gold safety pin brooch, with 3 baby shoes suspended. All set with a total of approx. 0.70ctw in diamonds and red/pink gemstones. Each shoe meas...Category
20th Century Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Gold, Enamel
- 18k White Gold VINTAGE. DIAMOND AND EMERALD PINLocated in Miami, FLCrafted in elegant 18K white gold, this antique pin showcases a round Colombian emerald, radiating its natural allure. Adorned with all-white diamonds of VS clarity and F color, this piece exudes sophistication and charm. With its timeless design and European flair, it's a captivating accessory for any discerning jewelry lover. Key Features: 18K White Gold, 100% natural earth mined round Colombian Emerald. All white diamonds. VS clarity and F color. Antique gold and emerald pin...Category
2010s European Edwardian Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold