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.
VERDURA 18K Yellow Gold 2.20ct Diamond, Black Jade, Onyx and Pearl Cuff Bracelet
By Verdura
Located in Southampton, PA
This statement cuff bracelet by Verdura is carved from polished black jade and centered with an 18K yellow gold Maltese cross motif, pav-set with round brilliant diamonds totaling ap...
Onyx, Jade, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Maltese Cross Made By Black Diamond On Black enamel Cuff Made In 18k Yellow Gold
By Artisan NYC
Located in New York, NY
18KT:3.07g,D:5.63ct,SI:105.854g
Black Diamond, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Black Enamel Star Cuff with Diamonds, Gold Eight Pointed Star Bangle J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Black Enamel Star Cuff with Diamonds, Gold Eight Pointed Star Bangle J Dauphin Designer: J DAUPHIN Available for immediate delivery. Diamond star stud cuff in 14k gold plated bras...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Enamel, Brass
$459
W 1.58 in D 0.32 in
A 2000s Black Enamel Brass and Rhinestone Bangle Bracelet by Kenneth Jay Lane
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Aci Castello, IT
Glamorous 2000s Kenneth Jay Lane Black Enamel & Rhinestone Bangle Bracelet An iconic statement piece by the "King of Costume Jewelry," Kenneth Jay Lane (KJL). This striking, vint...
Brass, Enamel
Red Coral Maltese Black Enamel Diamond Sapphire Cuff Bracelet
By Valentin Magro
Located in New York, NY
Daring colors of gems give this bracelet a striking design. An 18k yellow gold cuff is covered with black enamel, allowing the gold to glint on the top and bottom. In the middle, pre...
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, ...
Black Diamond Star Cuff Bracelet Black Enamel 14K Gold Plated J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Black Diamond Star Cuff Bracelet Black Enamel 14K Gold Plated J Dauphin Designer: J DAUPHIN The J DAUPHIN Black Diamond Star Cuff Bracelet is handcrafted in 14k gold-plated brass a...
Diamond, White Diamond, Black Diamond, Gold Plate, Brass, Enamel
Black Jade, Fire Opal & Diamond Raoul Sosa Ladies Bracelet Cuff 14K Yellow Gold
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful bracelet is carefully made using hand-inlaid stones in 14kt yellow gold. This bangle features black jade, fire opal and diamonds. With 3 diamonds weighing 0.24ctw, ins...
Diamond, Black Jade, Fire Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bold & Stylish Late-20th Century Gold, Onyx & Diamond Cuff Bracelet 1 Inch Wide
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This tailored, stylish, and precision crafted 14k yellow gold, black onyx and diamond cuff bracelet embodies high fashion and quality in every re...
Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 14k Gold
Verdura 18K Yellow Gold Brown Agate Maltese Cross Bracelet
By Verdura
Located in New York, NY
An extraordinary Verdura Maltese Cross cuff bracelet, showcasing the house's celebrated combination of bold colored gemstones, sculptural design, and exceptional craftsmanship. Carv...
Diamond, Pearl, Agate, Amethyst, Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tanzanite Star Studded Cuff Bracelet Black Enamel J DAUPHIN
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tanzanite Star Studded Cuff Bracelet Black Enamel 14k Gold Plated J DAUPHIN Designer: J DAUPHIN A black enamel and gold studded cuff bracelet featuring seven natural tanzanites set in raised eight-pointed star motifs. Handcrafted in 14k gold-plated brass, the rigid open bangle features a series of rounded dome studs framed in polished gold, each centered with a violet-blue tanzanite gemstone. The design draws on Victorian enamel jewelry, antique star motifs, and studded metalwork. The black hand-painted enamel forms a continuous band beneath the projecting gold-framed studs, giving the bracelet a distinctive three-dimensional profile. The seven star settings run across the front of the cuff, combining gemstone jewelry with the appearance of decorative gold hardware. The eight-pointed star appears in ancient celestial iconography and has been associated with Venus, cosmic order, and renewal. In Victorian jewelry, star-set gemstones and black enamel were frequently used in ornamental and symbolic designs. Tanzanite, a violet-blue gemstone discovered in Tanzania, introduces a contemporary element to these historical references. The combination of celestial stars and studded metalwork recalls both antique talismanic...
Tanzanite, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Enamel
KJL Kenneth Jay Lane Crystal Maltese Cross, White Enamel Hinged Cuff Bracelet
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Milford, DE
A bracelet by Kenneth Jay Lane. Painted white enamel, with a stylized maltese cross motif in gold. The centerpiece features a single teal-green resin cabochon, surrounded by clear cr...
Crystal, Gold Plate
Kenneth Jay Lane Faux Jade Flower Cuff Bracelet, Crystals and Black Enamel, 2"
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Milford, DE
Step into the world of luxury with the Kenneth Jay Lane faux jade flower cuff bracelet. This stunning piece features a bold 2-inch wide band...
Crystal, Enamel
Kenneth Jay Lane KJL Geometric White and Black Enamel Bangle Bracelet in Gold
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Milford, DE
A bracelet by Kenneth Jay Lane in an exotic leopard pattern. Features raised gold-plated motifs accented with colorful crystals. Height: 3.6 cm / 1.4 in D...
Crystal, Gold Plate
1960s Gold-Tone Hinged Cuff Bracelet with Red Glass Cabochons
Located in Milford, DE
This bold vintage hinged cuff bracelet from the 1960s features a striking combination of rich textures and vibrant color. The gold-tone metal surface is finished with a brushed textu...
Gold
KJL Kenneth Jay Lane Double Sea Serpent Crystal Enamel Faux Pearl Gold Bracelet
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Milford, DE
Double-headed sea serpent hinged crossover bracelet by Kenneth Jay Lane with intricate detail. Features gold-plated metal in a textured scale pattern. Each snake head is accented wit...
Crystal, Pearl, 22k Gold, Gold Plate, Gold, Enamel
Kenneth Jay Lane KJL Pave Crystal Raised Motif Bangle Bracelet Leopard Pattern
By Kenneth Jay Lane
Located in Milford, DE
A bracelet by Kenneth Jay Lane in an exotic leopard pattern. Features raised gold-plated motifs accented with colorful crystals. Height: 1.6 cm / 0.6 in D...
Crystal, Gold Plate
