Kenneth Jay Lane is a relative newcomer to the world of costume jewelry, launching his first line of earrings, bracelets, and necklaces in 1963. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Lane got his start with Hattie Carnegie before designing shoes for Christian Dior. He made his mark immediately on the fashion world when he covered inexpensive plastic bangles with rhinestones, added findings, and turned them into excessively large earrings. Before long, Bonwit Teller, Henri Bendel, and Saks Fifth Avenue were selling his pieces to such clients as Jackie Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor, and Audrey Hepburn.
In the 1960s, K.J.L. (as the company was known until the mid-1970s, when the periods were dropped) produced brooches and other pieces that reflected Asian influences, incorporating everything from Buddhas to dragons to Indian goddesses in his work. Lane was also known for costume jewelry animals, including pins in the shapes of faux-emerald eyed lions, bangles ending in pairs of rams heads, and rhinestone-studded Scottie dog brooches. Lane’s “big cat” pieces were inspired by the Cartier fine jewelry created in the 1940s and ’50s for the Duchess of Windsor. And while other costume-jewelry designers strove to create an aura of cachet and exclusivity around their products, Lane did a KJL for Avon line in the 1980s, hawked his gaudiest pieces in the late 1990s on QVC, and marketed Christmas pieces via The Franklin Mint.
Interviews & Articles
Carole Tanenbaum on Costume Jewelry's 'Wow' Factor

My husband and I have many collections. We were in London at one point in the ’80s, and I saw a fabulous collection of vintage cos… [more]
Christie Romero on Differences Between Fine and Costume Jewelry Over the Decades

I started out with general antiques and collectibles... I was a dealer for a while and bought and sold all kinds of things. Gradua… [more]
Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)
Researching Costume Jewelry

Jewelry lovers, venture through this amazing database of vintage jewelry articles, catalogs, and brochures, as well… [read review or visit site]
Emerald City Vintage Costume Jewelry

It looks like we're not in Kansas anymore with Elizabeth Rowlands' site on vintage costume jewelry from the 1940s a… [read review or visit site]
Collecting Costume Jewelry

Carol Bell's simple but informative site focuses on photographs of brooches, bracelets, pendants, and pins, with an… [read review or visit site]
Morning Glory Antiques and Jewelry

Jewelry collectors, feast your eyes on this internet gem! It's a goldmine of jewelry information featuring all styl… [read review or visit site]
All About Jewels Dictionary

This incredible reference dictionary on jewelry, from Enchantedlearning.com, is both beautiful and comprehensive. S… [read review or visit site]
Cathy Gordon's Jewelry Gallery

With its vast galleries featuring clear images of jewelry and style, this site really covers it all! Divided up by … [read review or visit site]
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