Rings by Kenneth Jay Lane show his ingenuity and design talent. One can always recognize a ring by KJL because each piece is imbued with finesse and originality as well as artistic use of color. Mr. Lane has been called "the hottest designer" (Elle Magazine) and a "living legend."
He has exercised his creative imagination to its fullest since 1963 when he started out in New York City selling his designs on the street in the fashion district. He knows many socialites, movers and shakers, and international celebrities, and has designed for them and with them in mind. Yet his creations are accessible to everyone. His book Faking It tells his story.
Unlike much of the fashion or costume jewelry on the market today, every piece in KJL's Couture line is made here in the USA by skilled artisans. He has developed a special method of gold and silver plating that never discolors, tarnishes or leaves dark marks on your finger.
Many fashionistas love big rings with sufficient surface to embed detailed designs. Would you enjoy wearing a curious zebra or a toothy tiger on your finger? How about a realistic crystal-encrusted bumblebee? Or a many-petaled peony with a lush pearl center. KJL also designed a stone-covered coiling snake ring with ruby eyes reminiscent of jewelry worn by Cleopatra.
Over the centuries, rings have communicated the wearer's status, taste, and wealth. Stacked rings have been perennially popular, and in the past jewelers tapered the shanks in the back so that rings could be comfortably clustered on the same finger.
KJL admirers and collectors include the Duchess of Windsor, Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Onassis, Mica Ertegun, Mischa Barton, Jennifer Lopez, Paris Hilton, Paula Abdul. A bejeweled belt he made for Jackie O brought a record bid of ,000.00 at auction. Rings he designed 30 years ago are still in demand and considered collectible.
Here are some ring facts to think about while enjoying some KJL eye-candy. Surprised that a ring has shoulders and may wear a girdle?
The parts of a ring:
Bezel or head: the top of a ring into which stones can be mounted or set into separate holders called collets.
Collet (kohl-ay): receptacle for stones which can be either cup shaped or made from metal strips bent to shape.
Hoop or shank: the part that goes around the finger.
Shoulders: the part that joins the hoop and the bezel, frequently decorated. Most of KJL's rings have stones or other embellishment in this area.
Cuts of stones:
Cabochon (CAB-oh-shaun): a stone with a polished, domed upper surface and a flat back. Also called a "cab".
Facet: the face of a stone cut and polished.
Girdle: the widest part of a stone. (Makes sense, huh ladies?)
Brilliant-cut: introduced in the 17th century, has an octagonal table at the top and 58 facets above and below the girdle. By far the most frequent cut for diamonds and precious colored stones.
Cushion-cut, princess cut, marquise, emerald, pear: all are types of stone cuts.
