Hattie Carnegie Bracelet & Earrings, Black Glass, Rhinestones

Heirloom cocktail jewelry set from noted designer Hattie Carnegie.

Hattie Carnegie Jewelry

• This vintage 1950s cocktail jewelry set includes a bracelet and clip earrings.
• Unique multistrand bracelet with sparkling rhinestone and large black glass dangles.
• Five silver metal strands.
• Outer and middle strands are loaded with rhinestones.  
• The two inner strands resemble silver rope.
• The fold-over clasp on the bracelet is covered with four vertical rows of rhinestones.
• Matching large faceted black glass and rhinestone clip earrings.
• Both pieces are marked Carnegie in script.

Hattie Carnegie was a fashion revolutionary truly ahead of her time.  She was born Henrietta Kanengeiser in Austria-Hungary on March 15, 1880.  After immigrating to the U.S. in 1886 she anglicized her last name to Carnegie apparently in honor of Andrew Carnegie, a man she greatly admired.  She also began going by Hattie, a nickname she earned as a top milliner in New York City. 

In 1939 Hattie Carnegie introduced costume jewelry to coordinate with her already well-known clothing line. Her jewelry encompassed many different styles and today Hattie Carnegie pieces are much sought after by collectors.

High-quality rhinestones, enameling, design, and craftsmanship characterize all Hattie Carnegie jewelry.  Many talented jewelry designers worked under the Hattie Carnegie name, including Kenneth Jay Lane, Norman Norell, and Nadine Effront. Hattie Carnegie passed away in 1956 just shy of her 70^th birthday.  This tiny, 4’10” woman left a mark on the fashion world not soon forgotten.