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.
Kenneth Jay Lane Paste and Milk Cab Earrings
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in New York, NY
Large early Kenneth Jay Lane earrings of milk glass cabochons surrounded by pastes. Large and striking in scale. Clip back fittings.1960's USA. 4" x 1.5". Excellent condition.
Gilt Metal
Early K.J.L. Hammered Gold and Crystal Earrings
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in New York, NY
Attractive Early K.J.L. Hammered Gold and Crystal Earrings from the 1960's. Large scale clip earrings in gilt metal and faceted lucite made t...
Gilt Metal
Kenneth Jay Lane Milk Earrings
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in New York, NY
K.J.L pendant earring ears from the 1960s of milk glass and pastes. Classic pendant form used in many of the most iconic earring by KJL of the period. Excellent condition.
Gilt Metal
Kenneth Jay Lane Ruby Amythest Earrings
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in New York, NY
Early K.J.L earring from the late 1960's with tonal rhinestones in iridescent ruby, amythest surrounding a unusual enamel cabochon. Clip back fittings. 1960'...
MWLC Georgian Style Amythest Foil Drop Earrings
By Mark Walsh Leslie Chin
Located in New York, NY
Amythest Foiled Drop Earrings from the Parisian studios of MWLC. Elegant drop earrings in amythest pate de verre with inserted foils made in Georgian style, closed settings. The co...
Gilt Metal
De Mario Cabochon and Crystal Earrings
By DeMario
Located in New York, NY
De Mario Green Cabochon and Crystal Earrings from the 1950's. A green glass cabochon is held in place by gilt leaves decorated with crystals. 1" across, clip back fittings. USA 1950...
Brass, Gilt Metal
Vintage Kenneth Jay Lane KJL Rare Statement Flawed Sapphire Glass Earrings 1980s
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Wilmslow, GB
An outstanding pair of vintage KJL Sapphire earrings oozing glamour and style. Featuring a wonderfully designed crimped gold mount of statement proportion. Set to perfection with exq...
Tiffany Inspired Crystal & Chandelier Clip-On Earrings circa 1970s
By Ciner
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The Ciner Crystal & Chandelier Clip-On Earrings from the circa 1970s are a stunning example of vintage glamour and exquisite craftsmanship. These earrings feature a cascading design of sparkling crystals arranged in a chandelier style, creating a dramatic and eye-catching effect. The intricate detailing and high-quality crystal stones reflect the luxurious aesthetic typical of the 1970s jewelry scene. They are perfect for adding a touch of vintage elegance to any outfit, whether for a formal event or a stylish night out. These earrings can be beautifully styled with other designer accessories such as a Judith Leiber crystal clutch...
Vintage clip-on earrings sign. K.J.L. Rhodium with rhinestones, faux pear 1960s
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Stuttgart, DE
A very nice pair of ear clip designed by Kenneth Jay Lane. At the top is a faux pearl bordered with small rhinestones , attached to it s a beautiful medaillon with a large cut rhine...
Crystal, Rhodium
Mid 20th Century Panetta Faux Diamond Crystal Clip on Two Dangle Drop Earrings
By Panetta
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Panetta is truly one of the best of the great pretenders. His costume pieces are finely made to give you the look of real at the price of costume. In these mid 20th century clip on earrings Panetta uses clear crystals to create a fake diamond drop dangle earring. He finishes them off by rhodium plating the base metal. Perfect for an evening on the town. Signed on back. They are signed Panetta on the back. Panetta History from Nasvete Benedetto Panetta, another Italian, wrote his name in the history of jewelry. Born in Italy, he moved to America in 1901. Being a jeweler, he first worked in small companies, but then there was a fateful meeting with a fellow countryman, and Benedetto became a designer at Trifari. In those days, Trifary was already a large and very prestigious manufactory. Having received invaluable experience, in 1945, Benedetto opens his own company “Panetta”. From the very beginning, Benedetto set a goal, to erase the line between precious jewelry and costume jewelry. According to Panetta, ornaments should look real. And I must say Benedetto succeeded in it. PANETTA jewelry...
Crystal, Base Metal
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Vintage Jewelled Dangling Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage gold tone dangling earrings (clip-on) featuring a faux turquoise cabochon and blue shade crystals. Embossed YSL. Indicative measurements : height approx....
Gilt Metal
KJL KENNETH JAY LANE signed dangle runway clip on earrings
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS • signed KJL • silver tone with rhinestones and faux pearls • vintage designer runway earrings MEASUREMENTS • CONDITION • very good vintage condition with mi...
