In the mid-1950s, there were children who read comic books and built forts and then there was Barry Kieselstein-Cord, a now-critically acclaimed New York City–born jewelry designer whose early hobbies included carving totem poles.
In fact, Kieselstein-Cord was proficient at carving by the time he was eight years old. His hobby fueled what would become deep interests in Native American art and in the natural world around him. Kieselstein-Cord made more carvings, and eventually began to explore metalwork and craft jewelry in his teens. Today he creates rings, necklaces and other jewelry and accessories so divine that they are as much wearable sculptures as they are personal adornment.
Kieselstein-Cord studied at Parsons School of Design and the American Craft Institute. He has long been enamored of illustration, architecture, photography and other disciplines, and even as a world-renowned jeweler, Kieselstein-Cord has always considered his true identity as a sculptor. ”I don’t make jewelry; I do sculptures for the body,” he has said.
Kieselstein-Cord designed his first sterling silver collection in 1972, and a year later, the collection was presented for sale at Georg Jensen’s Manhattan flagship store. Kieselstein-Cord’s partnership with the legendary Danish silverware firm meant that his work would reach an international audience. It was also around this time that the designer began to work with fashion titans Perry Ellis and Calvin Klein.
By the late 1970s, Kieselstein-Cord had begun to integrate gold and gemstones into his work. During this decade he designed much-lauded belt buckles, and some of his most sought-after collections — including Crocodile, Pompeii and Borgia — followed a decade later. On today’s secondary market, those 1980s-era designs are enjoying a resurgence. Names like Henry Dunay and Kieselstein-Cord are being reappraised as icons of contemporary design.
Tom Hanks, Oprah Winfrey, Sir Elton John, Jack Nicholson, Barack Obama and Giorgio Armani are all known collectors of Kieselstein-Cord’s work. His designs have found their way into the Louvre in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
On 1stDibs find a collection of vintage Barry Kieselstein-Cord belts, earrings, bracelets, handbags and other jewelry and accessories.
Barry Kieselstein-Cord Monumental 18K Gold Sculptural Link Necklace Hidden Clasp
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Miami, FL
A bold and collectible statement from American design legend Barry Kieselstein-Cord, this substantial vintage Retired Cod necklace is crafted in solid 18K yellow gold, weighing an im...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Kieselstein-Cord 18 Karat Gold Toggle Link Necklace
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in New York City, NY
Timeless Elegance: Kieselstein-Cord 18 Karat Gold Toggle Link Necklace This luxurious 18 Karat gold toggle link necklace by the renowned des...
18k Gold, Gold
Barry Kieselstein Cord Celtic Sterling Silver Square Station Vintage Necklace
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Vintage Barry Kieselstein-Cord Celtic Necklace crafted in sterling silver, featuring the designer’s iconic sculptural aesthetic inspired by ancient Celtic and medieval motifs. Dating...
Sterling Silver
Alex Jona 18 Karat Yellow Gold Link Chain Necklace
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona Design Collection, Hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat yellow gold 17.7 inch-44cm long link chain necklace. Alex Jona jewels stand out, not only for their special design and f...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat White Gold Diamond Link Necklace
By Vitale 1913
Located in Monte-Carlo, MC
18K white gold classy link necklace is from Damier Collection. This piece of jewellery is made of natural 25 white round diamonds in total of 1.80 Carat that are placed in the middle...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Green Tourmaline & Diamond Pendant After Barry Kieselstein-Cord
By KIESELSTEIN-CORD
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
Crafted from 18 karat yellow gold, this pendant is a design after North American jeweller Barry Kieselstein-Cord. The pendant centres on a single cabochon cut green tourmaline which ...
Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Atlas Necklace
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
Tiffany & Co Silver Atlas necklace. 34 Inch large necklace with figure 8 safety and hinged closure. Tiffany box and pouch included. Sterling Silve...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Barry Kieselstein Vintage Mermaid Gold Pearl Necklace
By Kieselstein
Located in Miami, FL
This impressive designer Barry Kieselstein necklace ** comprises 4 strands of lustrous silk-strung cultured pearls of an enchanting 'pinkish white' color, measuring 7mm in diameter. The pearl strands are intersected by 5 yellow gold cylindrical profiles three of which are decorated with the artfully sculptured full silhouette of a mermaid, rendered in 18K matted yellow gold, each mermaid holding an oval-faceted pink tourmaline, cumulatively weighing 2.85cts. This designer necklace secures with a sturdy sliding clasp and remains in pristine condition. **Barry Kieselstein donated this unique pearl necklace...
Oriental Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold
Large Heavy Oval Link Toggle Necklace 123.3 Grams 18 Karat Yellow Gold 18.5"
By Harbor Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
18 Karat Yellow gold necklace featuring medium size links and a large toggle clasp. Signed Badou Big loop 1.5" Medium loop 7/8" Long 0.70" Wide Small loops 0.47" Clasp bar 2.50" Ev...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,295
H 7 in W 1 in D 0.5 in L 7 in
Vintage Italian Sterling Silver Twisted Link Sculptural Collar Necklace 1980's
Located in North Miami, FL
This vintage Italian sterling silver chic twisted link necklace is vintage and hallmarked but not legible. The choker collar necklace is timeless. It says 25T as the 9 is not visible...
Sterling Silver
Alex Jona 18 Karat Yellow Gold Link Chain Necklace
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona Design Collection, Hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat yellow gold, 18.11 in / 46 cm long, link chain necklace. All Jona jewelry is new and has never been previously owned or w...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Alex Jona 18 Karat Yellow Gold Link Chain Necklace
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona Design Collection, Hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat yellow gold 16.9 inch-43cm long link chain necklace. Alex Jona jewels stand out, not only for their special design and ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Alex Jona 18 Karat White Gold Link Chain Necklace
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona Design Collection, Hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat white gold, 17.7 inch-45cm., long link chain necklace. Alex Jona jewels stand out, not only for their special design and...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1970's Mexican Sterling Silver Sculptural Geometric Link Necklace, 925
Located in North Miami, FL
This stunning sculptural vintage reticulated sterling silver necklace sits beautifully on the neck and chest. It has has great weight to it. Very finely made, forever modern and time...
Sterling Silver, Silver
Alex Jona 18 Karat Yellow Gold Toggle Bar Link Chain Necklace
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona Design Collection, Hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat yellow gold toggle bar link chain necklace. Dimensions : L 17.72 in X W 0.11 in - L 45 cm X W 2.84 mm Alex Jona jewels ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Barry Kieselstein Cord Alligator Head Link Toggle Yellow Gold Necklace
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Alligator Head Link Toggle Necklace by Barry Kieselstein Cord. Details: Measurements: Alligator head 31mm x 10mm Toggle 36mm x 7mm Weight: 200.4 grams Length: 18" Sta...
Yellow Gold
Kieselstein-Cord 18 Karat Gold Carved Tourmaline Toggle Link Necklace
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in New York City, NY
Fine 18k gold toggle link necklace by Kieselstein-Cord. This necklace features a bezel-set carved tourmaline, has links that alternate in size from bigger to smaller, and a stylish ...
Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Gold
Kieselstein-Cord 18 Karat Gold Toggle Link Necklace
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in New York City, NY
Fine 18k gold toggle link necklace by Kieselstein-Cord. This necklace has links that alternate in size from bigger to smaller; it further fe...
18k Gold
Kieselstein-Cord Heavy Gold Link Necklace
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Boca Raton, FL
18 Karat Yellow Gold Necklace by Designer Barry Kieselstein Cord. This heavy link necklace features column designs inside each link, and measures 18 inches in length and 15.5 mm in ...
18k Gold
Kieselstein-Cord Gold Chain Necklace
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Darnestown, MD
Heavy weight, alternating size oval links necklace by Barry Kieselstein-Cord. Gold toggle closure can be hidden or worn as decorative element. Measures 18" long; weighs an awesome 19...
18k Gold
Kieselstein-Cord Gold Chain with Diamond Toggle
By Barry Kieselstein-Cord 1
Located in Darnestown, MD
Classic Barry Kieselstein-Cord heavy weight gold necklace of alternating oval links. Diamond toggle, which can be worn as a decorative element or concealed, makes this the perfect da...