Ciner On Safari Giraffe Necklace

NWS 6-1618

~ Ciner was a master platinum craftsman who was used to working on the rarified, jeweled creations that adorned the upper classes. The founder, Emanuel Ciner, had established his family business in 1892, and he prided himself on the quality of the jewelry for which this company had become famous. But the sudden riptide that became The Great Depression tore Ciner from his traditional jeweler's bench, and forced him to the humiliation of working with fake materials. This was no time for dignity. This was about survival. It was the 1930's, and he had mouths to feed.

~ Ciner didn't just survive the depression, they thrived in it. And in fact, perhaps because of it, they gained an even greater fame. Most jewelers of the era, like Schiaparelli, Chanel and Eisenberg, went for the outrageously fake look. To be "shocking" was de rigeur. Ciner went the opposite way. They applied their considerable skills to the very best materials they could get. Base metals were plated with real gold, and the stones were the finest crystals in the world, faceted by hand, and prong-set by hand. They wanted their stuff to look real. And it did. It still does, which is why they're called "the Tiffany of the costume industry", a well-deserved accolade.

~ Take a close look at this giraffe necklace. The whimsical head not only disguises the shovel clasp, but forms the centerpiece of the necklace. His head is pavè-set with dozens of faceted, faux diamonds and enameled with black and brown stripes on gold tone metal. Two glass cabochons form his eyes. Absolutely stunning!

~ The eight strands of wood, glass and metallic beads in this necklace borrow their color pallet from the vivid hues of the wild Serengeti plains. Such is the genius of Ciner. Need I say more?

~ Measures 18" long. Length can be slightly changed by twisting.

~ Signed on the reverse of the shovel clasp, "CINER".

c. 1970, in near mint condition.

Price = $683.00

Who is Ciner?nex3, a-c3