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Kenneth Jay Lane Clamper Bracelets

American, 1932-2017

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.

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Creator: Kenneth Jay Lane
Kenneth Jay Lane Black Large Rigid Band Bracelet With Stones
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Milano, IT
Kenneth Jay Lane Black Large Rigid Band Bracelet With Stones is a unique design much appreciated by Diana Vreeland, which Lane had created for her. Polychrome stones on cast American pewter plated...
Category

1990s Kenneth Jay Lane Clamper Bracelets

Gilded Rams Head Figural Hinged Bracelet By Kenneth Jay Lane, 1970s
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - Collectible costume jewelry piece from the '70s - Extremely rare style - 2.75" x 3.25" exterior dimensions - 2" x 2.25" interior dimensions - Fits petite wrists...
Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Kenneth Jay Lane Clamper Bracelets

Kenneth Jay Lane Ethnic Inspired Cuff
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in New York, NY
Kenneth Jay Lane Ethnic inspired patinaed gilt cuff with clamp hinged closure. Dimensional swirl design looks incredibly sculptural and modern when worn. It can be worn in different ...
Category

1980s American Vintage Kenneth Jay Lane Clamper Bracelets

Materials

Gilt Metal

Ken Lane Amber Glass Cabochon Gilt Metal Bracelet c 1970
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in University City, MO
Ken Lane amber glass cabochon gilt metal bracelet c 1970s The stylish designer costume clamper bracelet is adorned with a series of honey color glass cabochons The hinged bangle is...
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Late 20th Century American Kenneth Jay Lane Clamper Bracelets

Materials

Gilt Metal

Kenneth Jay Lane Twisted Rope Cuff
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in New York, NY
Attractive KJL hinged clamper cuff of twisted gold ropes. Very David Webb in spirit. 1960's USA. 1.25" wide. 2.5" x 2" interior diameter. Excellent condition.
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1960s American Vintage Kenneth Jay Lane Clamper Bracelets

Kenneth Jay Lane, KJL 1980s GRaxe Collection Pearl Cabochon Bracelet
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in New York, NY
A very nice Kenneth Jay Lane 1980s clamper style hinge bangle from the Grace Collection. Originally produced in the 1960s, the Grace Collection is an iconic design of Kennth Lane. In the 1980s, Lane worked with the Laguna Jewelry...
Category

1980s American Vintage Kenneth Jay Lane Clamper Bracelets

Materials

Gold Plate

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Previously Available Items
Kenneth Jay Lane Gold Plated and Silver Plated Dragon Bracelet circa 1960s
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1960s American Modern Vintage Kenneth Jay Lane Clamper Bracelets

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1990s Chinese Kenneth Jay Lane Clamper Bracelets

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Located in McKinney, TX
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1990s Unknown Modern Kenneth Jay Lane Clamper Bracelets

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Located in McKinney, TX
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Designer Dragon Bracelet Kenneth Jay Lane Treasures of the Duchess KJL
By Kenneth Jay Lane
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20th Century American Contemporary Kenneth Jay Lane Clamper Bracelets

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1990s Kenneth Jay Lane Purple Enamel and Rhinestone Elephant Clamper Bracelet
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Toronto, Ontario
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1990s Chinese Kenneth Jay Lane Clamper Bracelets

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1990s Kenneth Jay Lane Black Enamel and Rhinestone Elephant Clamper Bracelet
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Toronto, Ontario
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Gold Plate, Enamel

Kenneth Jay Lane KJL Lion Bracelet with Brown Enamel, Blue Crystals, in Gold
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Milford, DE
A bold bracelet by Kenneth Jay Lane! Features a goldtone cuff, with a fierce lion, painted with brown enamel and accented with sparkling crystals. Hinged cuff, magnetic closure Inne...
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1980s KJL Faux Turquoise Cabachon Encrusted Clamper Bracelet
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Beautiful goldtone KJL clamper style bracelet covered in faux turquoise cabachons. The bracelet opens on the side with a snap, 'Kenneth Lane' stamp on th...
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1980s Kenneth J. Lane Pair of Anglo-Indian Enamel and Glass Cuff Bracelets
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Gresham, OR
A pair of 1980s Kenneth J. Lane Anglo-Indian style enamel and poured glass cuff bracelets. Spring-loaded hinge. Watermelon seed shaped poured glas...
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Kenneth Jay Lane clamper bracelets for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a range of Kenneth Jay Lane clamper bracelets available on 1stDibs. Each of these unique items was designed with extraordinary care, often using gilt metal. We have 6 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 clamper bracelets by and David Webb. Prices for Kenneth Jay Lane clamper bracelets can differ depending upon gemstone, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $175 and tops out at $631, while pieces like these, on average, can sell for $435.
Questions About Kenneth Jay Lane Clamper Bracelets
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    The impeccable costume jewelry by designer Kenneth Jay Lane, known as the “Master of Faking It,” has been made in the USA and abroad. During Lane’s early years, much of his domestic-made jewelry was produced in New York and Rhode Island, while other designs were made in factories in Asia. Some of Lane’s imported jewelry pieces are stamped with Thailand or China as the country of origin. Shop a selection of Kenneth Jay Lane jewelry from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

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