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Ciner Link Necklaces

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.

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Creator: Ciner
Signed Ciner Vintage Enamel Link Necklace
By Ciner
Located in Jacksonville, FL
Indulge in the timeless allure of this Vintage Ciner Enamel Link Necklace, a statement piece that seamlessly blends sophistication and vintage charm. Crafted with meticulous attentio...
Category

20th Century American Art Nouveau Ciner Link Necklaces

Vintage Ciner Chunky Linking Pieces Choker Necklace Circa 1980's
By Ciner
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Ciner Chunky Linking Pieces Choker Necklace Circa 1980's. One of the 1980s Classic Necklaces that stand out with the look. Part of the Link is s...
Category

1980s American Artist Vintage Ciner Link Necklaces

Materials

Gold Plate, Mixed Metal

Vintage Ciner Gold Link Choker Necklace Circa 1980s
By Ciner
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Ciner Gold Link Choker Necklace. Long Links with a Pattern Swirled through the Middle of the Link. This is a classic necklace that everyone...
Category

1980s American Artist Vintage Ciner Link Necklaces

Materials

Mixed Metal

Ciner Gold Link Collar Necklace
By Ciner
Located in New York, NY
A lovely tailored style 1980s necklace by American fashion jewelry company Ciner of New York. There are 41 lightly textured parenthesis shape links that make up the necklace. It is ....
Category

1980s American Vintage Ciner Link Necklaces

Materials

Gold Plate

Stunning Ciner Pink swarovski Crystal Necklace 1980s New, never worn
By Ciner
Located in Wallkill, NY
Large Pink Swarovski Crystal Necklace with toggle clasp. New Old Stock (never worn) Measures 18 inches end to end Bezel measures 1.23 in ...
Category

1980s American Vintage Ciner Link Necklaces

Materials

Gilt Metal

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Ciner link necklaces for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a range of Ciner link necklaces available on 1stDibs. Each of these unique items was designed with extraordinary care, often using gold. We have 3 pieces in this collection as well as a number of other designs by this jeweler. While this collection reflects work that originated over various time periods, most of these items were designed during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider link necklaces by Monet, and Anne Klein. Prices for Ciner link necklaces can differ depending upon gemstone, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $450 and tops out at $850, while pieces like these, on average, can sell for $850.
Questions About Ciner Link Necklaces
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 15, 2024
    To date Ciner jewelry, examine its details closely. Most pieces from the 1930s were cast in sterling silver, and marcasite was a commonly used material. Jewelry from the 1950s and ’60s will usually have a matte appearance due to the plating process used at that time. Comparing your jewelry to images shared on trusted online resources can help you estimate its age. However, Ciner's hallmarks are rarely helpful, as the maker has used the same logo for years. If you need assistance dating a particular piece, enlist the help of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable dealer. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of Ciner jewelry.

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