💎 KENNETH JAY LANE: The Man, The Legend, The Jewelry! 💎
The mere name of KENNETH JAY LANE often evokes sighs of wistful admiration from wearers, lovers and collectors of high-end designer fashion jewelry all around the world! Kenneth was a man with a rare gift for designing jewelry that appeals to ladies of all types and from all cultures as his seemingly boundless diversity in the realm of personal creativity enabled him to create an endless variety of designs, including Art Deco creations and pieces inspired by nature, animals, mythology, astrology, fairy tales, history and much more. As an individual, Kenneth was a man of suave elegance and singular wit who had a highly developed aesthetic sense as well as an understanding of a need for jewelry that could be acquired without spending hundreds of thousands of dollars yet without sacrificing style, quality, or beauty. When speaking of his unique designs in an interview with The Times in 1993, Kenneth said, "I think it's called 'having the eye.' It's not necessarily reinventing the wheel."
Even though Kenneth Jay Lane would later count such famous and fashionable ladies as The Duchess of Windsor, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Princess Diana and Nancy Reagan among both his friends as well as his star-studded clientele, his beginnings were far from affluent. Kenneth was the son of an automative parts supplier who developed a deep and abiding love of fashion while still a boy. In spite of the fact that he later confessed to wanting "the best of everything," Kenneth was a self-made and self-taught man who transformed himself from a seemingly average "nobody" into a jet-setting businessman fully capable of mixing and mingling with the creme de la creme of high society.
Considering the nearly unprecedented success as a jewelry designer that Kenneth Jay Lane ultimately experienced, it is ironic that his jewelry designing began as a hobby or "sideline." Although he had begun designing jewelry in his spare time, Kenneth was a shoe designer for over a decade, and even commuted to Paris to study with Roger Vivier (who famously designed the shoes the legendary French actress and icon Catherine Deneuve wore in the iconic Luis Bunuel film, "Belle de Jour") while working for Christian Dior. It was when Kenneth was hired to design bejeweled shoes- many with rhinestone toes and heels- for an Arnold Scaasi show that Kenneth's affinity for working with gemstones was publicly noticed.
In 1962, Kenneth Jay Lane began designing his own jewelry collection and, within a few years, his designs could be found in and were being sold by most of the Fifth Avenue stores.
Kenneth Jay Lane's collaboration with the Duchess of Windsor- a collaboration that resulted in the creation of some of Kenneth's most collectible designs- is just one of many notable achievements. He also worked closely with the legendary Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, creating replicas of pieces she owned that were originally from such posh jewelry stores as Cartier and Van Cleef and Arpels.
There are several books devoted to Kenneth Jay Lane's jewelry, including his best-selling memoir, "Faking It," a book Kenneth co-authored with Harrice Simmons Miller. Kenneth, who was a benefactor of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, was honored when, in 2007, the museum named a room of European Orientalist paintings after him that was part of its renovated galleries of 19th and early 20th Century European paintings.
Although, sadly, Kenneth Jay Lane passed away in 2017, his legend lives on through the legacy of his extraordinary jewelry. Kenneth's ingenious designs continue to be worn, cherished, and collected by women around the, including many of today's most famous style and fashion icons such as Angelina Jolie, Lady Gaga, Madonna, and "Sex and the City" Fashionista Sarah Jessica Parker.
💎 AMETHYST ~ History, Culture, Symbolism 💎
A prized gemstone for centuries. Amethyst, a violet, purple, or dark purple variety of quartz, is a semi-precious gemstone noted for its ability to alleviate anxiety, fatigue, stress, and bring mental peace. It is said to help with protection and balance in one's life and to increase one's intelligence in business.
The name "Amethyst" is derived from the Koine Greek "amethystos" meaning not intoxicated, an illusion to the Greek belief in the stone's ability to protect one from drunkenness and overindulgence and its healing properties.
Amethyst was used by the ancient Egyptians as a gemstone in the afterlife and was utilized for making intaglio engraved gems as well as for amulets for protection.
It was believed that the amethyst bestowed courage to its wearer. The legendary Egyptian Queen, Cleopatra, was said to wear an amethyst ring.
In the 16th Century, the French poet, Remy Belleau described Ovid's story of a myth in which Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, grapes, and intoxication chased after a maiden named Amethyste. But she refused his advances and prayed to the gods to remain chaste. The goddess Diana answered her prayers and turned her into a white crystal stone. Bacchus, regretful for his pursuit, poured wine over the white stone as an offering, turning the crystals purple.
Another variation of the Greek story is that Dionysus, the god of wine and revelry, was eating grapes one day on Mount Olympus, when a group of mortals on Earth mocked him and called him a wild boar. Infuriated at humans because of this, he decided to take revenge using fierce tigers on the next mortal he encountered. As fate would have it, the next mortal he encountered happened to be the beautiful Amethystos, going to worship Artemis, the goddess of the Moon, the hunt, the wilderness and chastity at her temple. Artemis, to protect her, turned her into a pure crystalline quartz statue. The remorseful god, Dionysus, Zeus' son, wept tears of wine for what he had caused when he beheld the exquisite statue. His tears, dropping on the statue, stained the quartz purple.
In another Greek myth, a Titan named Rhea gave Dionysus an amethyst to help preserve his sanity because of his propensity for overindulging in wine. This particular myth led to the ancient Roman belief that the amethyst could prevent drunkenness. The ancient greeks wore amethyst to help stay sober and even carved drinking glasses out of amethyst.
In ancient China, amethyst was utilized as a tool for clearing negative energy and for driving away adversity. Traditionally, the amethyst has been used for lung illnesses, stomach pains and bad dreams. The amethyst was thought to have magical power to bring luck, health, elegance, wealth, and to completely cleanse the body of toxins, especially in the chest and to cure one of headaches. Today, it is a gemstone most used in the ancient art of feng shui and is thought to increase one's psychic powers. Tibetan Buddhists often link the amethyst spiritually with Buddha and the meditate using amethyst beads.
Amethyst's purplish and reddish hue, in Christianity, is believed to represent Christ's wounds and the agony he suffered in the crucifixion. The stone is often compared with Christ. Thus, amethysts were used for the healing of wounds. In Judaism, the Hebrew word for amethyst -- "ahlamah" --means "dream-stone." It also symbolized one of the twelve tribes of Israel and adorned the breastplate of the high priest, Aaron.
Catholic bishops wore amethyst jewelry-- especially rings -- to keep them from the unholy effects of drunkenness and to protect them from evil.
In the Renaissance, the amethyst was often engraved with animal symbols. It is the stone of St.Valentine and faithful lovers. St. Valentine was believed to have worn an amethyst ring engraved with cupid's image.
In the Old World, amethyst was considered one of the cardinal gems -- sapphire, ruby, emerald, diamond, and amethyst. Traditionally, they are gemstones deemed more precious than any other. Purple amethyst was considered rare until large deposits were discovered in Brazil.
Previous to the nineteenth century,, the amethyst was very expensive and only affordable to the wealthy because of its rarity. Since that time, it has been found in large amoubnts in nature, and has been found in Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia, Zambia, and Tanzania as well as Arizona, Sri Lanka, Siberia, Namibia, and Australia.
There are five varieties of amethyst - lavender amethyst, Canadian amethyst, ametrine, cactus quartz, Vera Cruz amethyst. Prized for over two thousand years, the amethyst is reputed to have physical healing powers including enhancing the immune system, improving appearance of the skin, promoting digestive health, reducing headaches, regulating hormones, or improving endocrine function.
Whether the amethyst has been used to stop intoxication, for spirituality, or royal lineage, amethyst have held their own in religion, history, and power.
It is February's birthstone and the 6th Wedding Anniversary gemstone. It is said to be natural tranquilizer to dispel rage, help manage fears, and to dispel evil thoughts and anxiety, as well as alleviating sadness, grief and negativity.
Spiritually, it can intiate wisdom and imcrease iintelligence through a greater sense of understanding. It is said to strengthen relationships and make the wearer more courageous.
Amethyst has been and continues to be an immensely popular stone with celebrities, such as royalty, film and television stars, and other people of social prominence. It is prized not only as a beautiful gemstone to wear but also as a crystal for its spiritual, healing, and protective properties.
Among the most noteworthy pieces of amethyst jewelry is Queen Silvia of Sweden's tiara, adorned with amethysts that originally belonged to the French Empress Josephine. In recent years, the amethyst tiara has been worn by Princess Madeleine of Sweden. Another legendary amethyst creation is the museum-worthy Amethyst and Turquoise necklace created for the Duchess of Windsor by Cartier in 1947.
Actress and humanitarian Dame Elizabeth Taylor was known for her passion for Amethyst, and many of her favorite pieces of jewelry featured amethyst jewels- a fitting complement to her iconic violet- hued eyes. One of her most breathtaking pieces was an amethyst and kunzite necklace designed by the famous jewelry house of Van Cleef & Arpels.
💎 PEARLS ~ the organic jewel of the sea with enduring allure💎
From Princess Grace of Monaco and Audrey Hepburn to Coco Chanel and The Duchess of Windsor to, in more recent times, Princess Diana and The Duchess of Cambridge (Kate Middleton), pearls and strands of pearls have been a favorite go-to accessory. For classic elegance, versatility, and timeless style, nothing replaces pearls.
As organic jewels of the sea, pearls have meaningful symbolism embedded in their lustrous DNA. The pearl is said to symbolize such stellar attributes as loyalty, dedication and steadfastness and to also be representative of wisdom gained through experience.
Since ancient times, the PEARL has been revered as a sacred gem and has been considered one of the most valuable of all jewels. In ancient Rome, it was seen as a symbol of status and prosperity.
Today, pearl jewelry - both fine and fashion - remains among the most frequently purchased, collected, and sought after by jewelry lovers and collectors of all ages and from multiple countries around the world. World-class jewelers such as Tiffany's & Co. and Mikimoto continue to create exceptional pearl jewelry that is sold for thousands and even hundreds of thousands of dollars because the universal appeal of PEARLS is undeniable and enduring.
In the words of first lady and legendary style and fashion icon, Jacqueline Kennedy, "Pearls are always appropriate."
💎 ITEM DESCRIPTION 💎
Sumptuous and spectacular....and looking like they came straight from the jewelry box of a queen or princess, these COUTURE Chandelier Earrings by the incomparable designer Kenneth Jay Lane are truly worthy of ROYALTY!
The top portion of each earring features a single, glorious, violet hued "amethyst" framed by a circle of brilliant, simulated white diamonds. All of the "jewels" are hand set and made from the finest quality of Austrian Swarovski crystals.
The middle portion of each earring features a circle of 12 lustrous white pearls. Another single, oval cut, hand set "amethyst" has been placed within the circle of pearls and it is also framed by a circle of "diamonds." Twelve small, shimmering "diamonds" have been interspersed between the 12 pearls along the outer edge of each earrings' middle portion.
The bottom portion - and crowning achievement - of these showstopping earrings features the magnificent, elongated pearl drops. There are FIVE pearl drops, which dangle with captivating glamour when the earrings are worn. The earrings are set in opulent 22K Yellow Gold-Plated metal, the ideal complement to the vibrant purple of the amethysts and the lustrous beauty of the white pearls.
If you are a lady who is a discriminating connoisseur of vintage, high-end designer jewelry ....if you have a love of royal style and admire ornate and opulent gems, these are THE earrings for you! They will transform even the simplest outfit into a red carpet worthy fashion statement!
To me, these look like a pair of earrings that would have been worn both on and off-screen by the legendary Dame Elizabeth Taylor whose penchant for extravagant and exquisite jewels is well documented. I could also see such fashionably famous ladies as Princess Grace of Monaco, Princess Diana, and Catherine, Princess of Wales (i.e., Kate Middleton) wearing these.
The measurements on these earrings are as follows:
Approximately 3 1/2 inches in length and approximately 1 1/2 inches in width at widest point.
The earrings are SIGNED and they are in MINT Vintage Condition and appear unworn. They are on their original "COUTURE Collection" card and all stones are present and dazzling and the 22K yellow gold plating is pristine. The earrings are from the extraordinary ESTATE of a onetime fashion model and film and television actress who was an enthusiastic collector of high-end designer jewelry for several decades.
Only ONE Pair Available.
☆Please Note☆
The majority of the items we offer here at the Visionary Fashionista are unique and rare and many are extremely difficult to find. We are delighted to have procured much of our selection from the estate of film and television stars, fashion models, socialites, and other celebrities. Specific names and further details are omitted out of respect for the celebrities' families and legacies.
Keep in mind that we generally only have ONE of each item! We mention this not only to emphasize the rarity of our items but also because we do not want anyone too disappointed when we are unable to offer a duplicate of an item once it is sold.
☆SHIPPING POLICIES, SHIPPING CHARGES, & INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING☆
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💎 Shopping with the Visionary Fashionista 💎
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Here's to finding, developing and embracing your Inner Fashionista!
Sascha (the Visionary Fashionista) 🌹
https://visionaryfashionista.com