Rago Auctions

Barry Kieselstein-Cord is a quintessential American designer who has consistently created strong classical jewelry in his signature matte gold with colored gems and diamonds. Kieselstein-Cord began his artistic journey while studying at the Parson Schools of Design and the American Craft Institute. In 1972, he founded his namesake company, which not only dives into jewelry, but also handbags, home furnishings, and belts. His first collection focused heavily in the more affordable sterling silver, which he presented to Remica Russell, the fine jewelry buyer for Georg Jensen. She agreed to showcase the collection at the Georg Jensen U.S. flagship store on Madison Avenue in New York City. This skyrocketed Kieselstein-Cord's career, as the collection was universally well received. With wearable pieces that are widely appealing it’s not hard to imagine how he acquired notable patrons such as Oprah, Andy Warhol, and Louise Nevelson. More recently Billie Eilish wore his serpent buckle belt for a ‘V’ magazine shoot. In 1976, he introduced gold and semi-precious stones in his ‘Pompeii’ and ‘Borgia’ collections. Today, his work can be found in The Louvre, Paris, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York and the Houston Museum of Fine Art.

Now often referred to as BKC, Keiselstein-Cord jewelry has an important place in the canon of American jewelry.