Kenneth J. Lane Art Deco Diamond & Bakelite Necklace & Earrings Set

NWS 4-1441

~ In the early 1960's, when Kenneth J. Lane boldly decided to strike off on his own, to design what would become one of the greatest costume jewelry collections in American fashion history, every woman in America reaped the benefits.  In fact, his jewelry quickly became famous world-wide, and the long list of his customers includes the rich and famous, like Sophia Loren, Barbara Bush, Jackie Kennedy and the Duchess of Windsor.

~ According to the book, Faking It, by Kenneth Lane and Harrice Miller, this Art Deco style necklace and earrings set was made in 1967. The Art Deco design era was Lane's favorite. To quote from the book, Mr. Lane says, "I think it's the most important design innovation in jewelry in two hundred years."  The book goes on to state, "Art Deco was modern, clean-lined, glamorous, sexy, and completely original... Art Deco jewelry made by such houses as Cartier and Lacloche now bring enormously high prices at auctions, and is bought to wear or held in personal collections in museums. The workmanship at the time was extraordinary." And so, Kenneth Lane set about making Art Deco jewels in the 1960's when no one else was doing it. "I just couldn't stop designing  jewelry in Art Deco", he said. When Horchow picked up his line and put a page in their catalogue called, "From The Estate of Kenneth J. Lane", the first really commercial promotion was begun. It sold out immediately. This set is from that original Art Deco Collection.

~ The clamper is oval in shape, making it a comfortable fit for the natural shape of a woman's wrist. The clamper is made of highly polished, solid black plastic. On the top of the clamper, there is a wide band of thickly plated, rhodium metal - in a typically elongated, geometric shape that mimics the famous Art Deco architecture of the era - and this rhodium decoration is studded with dozens of faceted, faux diamonds. At its center is a thick, rounded slab of gleaming black plastic that is raised above the crystal-studded surface, and looks like onyx.

~ The 17" long necklace has 15 interlocking "links" that are just over 1/2" high and 1" long.  Each "link" has 28 faceted, crystal chatons, with a rounded, oblong-shaped, faux onyx bar (bakelite, or some other type of plastic) in the center.   That's 420 rhinestones in just the necklace alone....

~ The pendant that dangles from the center of the necklace is 3.5" long and nearly 1.5" widest. It has 10 faux onyx bars and 84 faux diamonds that graduate to largest at the center.  That's over 500 sparkling crystals around the neckline. Absolutely incredible.

~ The clip-on earrings are nearly 2" long and 1" wide at the bottom.  They each have 14 stones at their triangular tops, while the 1.25" long dangles have 4 faux onyx bars, surrounded by 27 more stones on 3 sides, which graduate in size near the bottom.  That makes 41 crystals in each earring!

~ Each piece is signed on the reverse "Kenneth © Lane" inside an oval plaque.

c. 1967, in excellent condition, with below normal signs of wear for its age; in fact, it looks as though it may have never been worn. I replaced 1 missing stone.

Research: Faking It, by Kenneth J. Lane and Harrice Miller, p. 107, shows matching bracelet in jade version. See also Costume Jewelry, The Great Pretenders, by Lyngerda Kelley, p. 100

Price =  $595.00, or 1 layaway payment of $238 and 2 payments of $178. Read about the Fabulous Facets Layaway Program here. k-p 1, sets

Who is Lane?