Vintage Ciner Jewelry Guide

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The Ciner Company’s commitment to handcrafting costume jewelry the traditional way has made the firm a collector’s secret for more than a century. If you are looking for vintage Ciner jewelry, then you have come to the right place. Here you will learn about the history, materials, most collectible pieces, and where to buy.

Brief History of Ciner Jewelry

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.

Vintage CINER Turquoise Bead and 18K Gold Plated Bracelet from withlovevalentina on Etsy

Vintage CINER Turquoise Bead and 18K Gold Plated Bracelet from withlovevalentina on Etsy

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.

Vintage Ciner Pearl Gold Crystal Statement Brooch from RebeccaRoseJewellry on Etsy

Vintage Ciner Pearl Gold Crystal Statement Brooch from RebeccaRoseJewellry on Etsy

In 1979, Irwin’s daughter (and Emanuel’s granddaughter), Pat Ciner Hill, assumed control of the company with her husband David Hill. Pat had grown up in the business, and David had a love for costume jewelry, a talent for designing and the mechanical knowledge needed to craft the pieces. Together they led the company to revenues in the multi-millions of dollars.

In 1984, Jean Hill, Pat and David’s daughter (Emanuel’s great-granddaughter) became the fourth generation to join the family business.

Watch a Tour of Ciner's New York Studio:

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Ciner is the only surviving costume jewelry company left that designs, manufactures, and produces each piece by hand in its New York City atelier and still adheres to Emanuel’s exacting standards.

Ciner Jewelry Designer: Carolyne Roehm

Carolyne designed for Ciner because of those exacting standards. She has been part of the American world of design for years, in fashion, decorative arts and gardening. She opened her own fashion house in 1985.

Ciner’s commitment to handcrafting costume jewelry the same as fine jewelry appealed to Carolyne. As much as she was one of the “Beautiful People” often draped in precious gems, she was more interested in the line, color, texture, and proportion than she was about the materials used. Also, it presented the opportunity for her to return to an early passion: jewelry making.

Carolyne created a line of nature-themed jewelry. She rummaged through the Ciner archives and studied pieces from her own collection. Her intent was to wed history with the trendy. The result had a rather irreverent tone, reflective of Carolyne’s personality and lifestyle.

Her collection, “The Birds & The Bees,” 18 pieces, uses 18K gold plating, rhodium plating, and Swarovski crystals. All proceeds are donated to shelters for homeless animals.

Jewelry marks 

  • CINER with and without ©️
  • ©️MMA CN Ciner
  • Pre 1955 Ciner jewelry contained the 'Ciner' logo in a capitalized, san serif font. Rhinestones and glass beads were favored materials.
  • Post 1980's uses the serif font.
  • Not all Ciner pieces contain the copyright symbol
  • Ciner Sterling
ciner mark
ciner serif mark

Materials Used

  • Gold Plating
  • Pewter
  • Rhodium Plating
  • Turquoise
  • Jade
  • Tiger's Eye
  • Crystal
  • Rhinestones
  • Glass
  • Quartz
  • Cabochon
  • Opal
  • Enamel
  • Lucite

Favorite Collectibles: Vintage Ciner Jewelry

Click to see examples of Ciner Jewelry:

Bracelet Moghul Jewels India – Metropolitan Museum of Art Collection

20th century: Gold-plated bracelet adorned with ivory enamel, green cabochons and crystal rhinestones. Measures approx. 1 inch wide.   

Faux Diamond & Gilt Rope Parure

1980s. Jane Wyman (the first Mrs. Ronald Reagan) worn a Ciner necklace exactly like this when accepting her 1984 Emmy Award for best actress. Necklace (14 inches long) and bracelet (7 inches long) are flat ropes with faux diamonds (rhinestones) in a diamond pattern on a backdrop of gilded metal. The earrings are domed buttons featuring the same diamond pattern design and rhinestones. They measure about 7/8-inch round and are clip-ons.

Cheetah Cabochon Crystal Cuff Bracelet

Vintage. Hinged cuff in gold plate adorned with crystals. Eyes are faux jade cabochons.

Simulated Gemstone Rhinestone Earrings

1980s. Simulated gemstones and rhinestone set into gold-tone metal Clip-ons.

“Princess Collection” Ruby Red Glass Cabochons and Ice Crystals Set

1950s. Ruby red glass cabochons framed with ice crystals   on silver-tone metal. Bracelet measures 7 inches long and 5/8-inch wide.  Earrings are 1 5/8 inch by 5/8 inch.

Bronze Crystals 9 Strands Of Choker Necklace

Vintage. Choker made of nine strands of bronze crystals (probably Swarovski) with 18K gold-plated findings. Measure 17 ½ inches.

Collectors love the older Ciner pieces that incorporate fake pearls and turquoises.

How to Identify Vintage Ciner Jewelry

  • Most costume jewelry pieces made by Ciner were signed. If you find a vintage item that looks like Ciner but has no mark, it may be a "period copy."
  • It is not feasible to date Ciner costume jewelry based on its mark; this is because Ciner used some of the same marks during different time periods. Furthermore, the company continued to make some of their most popular designs over many decades.
  • Identify the era, such as Art Deco, mid-20th century, etc. The overall look of the piece can help pinpoint both when it was made and its value.
  • Examine the construction, style, material, preferably with a loupe, including the underside. Ciner pieces will be as skillfully finished from top to bottom. Learn the signs of handmade jewelry.

Tips for Buying Vintage Ciner Jewelry

  • Pieces found at a flea market, antique shop or estate sale are much more likely to be vintage than those sold in big box retailers.
  • Pieces that come with the original bag, box or case are more valuable.
  • Whenever possible, acquire any certification of authenticity.
  • Visit online vintage jewelry websites to get ideas of the going prices. Some sites will help you determine the piece’s value. Make sure the site is trustworthy.

Conclusion

Ciner is unique among costume jewelers in that its pieces are not copies that people wear when the originals are in a safety deposit box. They are valued for themselves. In 2011, ear clips and a bracelet at one time owned by Elizabeth Taylor were auctioned off at Christie’s and brought $15,600–100 times more than estimated.

Etsy and eBay both have stunning collections of Ciner Jewelry to browse through.

Share the Knowledge

6 thoughts on “Vintage Ciner Jewelry Guide”

    • Hello Jean, I have done a search for the necklace you are describing but I cannot find any. I recommend buying vintage jewelry on Etsy or eBay, but neither marketplace had Ciner Ocean Ship King necklaces.

      Reply
    • Hi Pamela,

      Most Ciner jewelry is signed with either an upper or lower case signature – Ciner or CINER. A copyright mark was used after 1955. If your brooch is unsigned, it may well be what is called a “period copy.” The best way to make sure it is authentic is to contact one of the following websites for an evaluation: whatsitworthartappraisals.com, valuemystuff.com. or drloriv.com.

      Best of luck with it!
      Susannah

      Reply
  1. I have a Norman watch in the nix that I’m told is Ciner. Is there a way to find out if it is? it’s the gold clamper watch with turquoise, ruby, and sapphire colored stones. thank you.

    Reply

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