Kenneth Jay Lane: the 'King of Costume Jewelry' and his famous pearls

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Kenneth Jay Lane was the American designer Time magazine called "the undisputed King of Costume Jewelry". He moved into jewellery full time in the early 1960s and made his name with bold, glamorous pieces that looked like the real thing for a fraction of the price. His clients included Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who commissioned copies so she could wear them freely and leave the valuable originals in the bank, as well as Elizabeth Taylor and Barbara Bush. After Jackie's death, a faux pearl necklace he'd made for her sold at Sotheby's in 1996 for over $200,000. He died in 2017, and the business carries on from its New York base on West 36th Street.

The shop suits anyone who wants a statement piece without fine jewellery prices, people dressing for a wedding or a party, and collectors of vintage costume jewellery. The range covers pearl necklaces, crystal earrings (many of them clip-ons, which are harder to find than pierced styles), cuffs, brooches and pins, and there's a vintage section of older pieces from the archive. A few designs come with famous names attached, such as the pieces linked to Sex and the City, and there's also a copy of Lane's memoir, Faking It.

What's worth a look

These were on the Kenneth Jay Lane homepage with US prices when we checked:

The Jackie Kennedy Onassis Pearl Necklace at $165 is the obvious place to start, given the story behind it. The "SATC" Butterfly Necklace at $190 is one of the pieces tied to Sex and the City. If you don't have pierced ears, the clip-ons are a big part of the range: the Frameless Pearl Clip Earrings at $45 are the cheapest pick here, and the Square Crystal Clip Earrings in gold at $75 are a little dressier. The Vintage Clear Beaded Necklace at $100 comes from the archive, so it's worth moving quickly if you like a vintage piece, as they tend to be one-offs.

Costume jewellery is made from metals and stones that aren't precious, so it's worth looking after: keep pieces dry, away from perfume and hairspray, and store them separately so the crystals don't scratch each other.

Current offers

We don't have any Kenneth Jay Lane codes listed at the moment. When we checked, the homepage offered free US shipping on all orders of $100 or more, and the prices above were the normal prices.

How to save more

• Spend $100 or more for free US shipping: a pair of clip earrings plus a necklace usually gets you there.
• Browse the vintage section as well as the new designs: archive pieces are priced one by one, and the cheaper ones can cost less than a new necklace.
• Check whether a pair of earrings is clip-on or pierced before you order, as the range has plenty of both.

Products, prices and offers checked on the store's own website on 7 Nov 2026. Prices and stock can change.

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