Cynthia Rybakoff

Cynthia Rybakoff Modern Classic Jewelry | New York City

The very essence of a native New Yorker, Cynthia entered the fashion industry making bespoke jewelry for Isaac Mizrahi and launching her first collection in 1987. Her designs attracted a cult following and appeared on the runways of New York's premier designers, including Bill Blass and Oscar De La Renta. Cynthia Rybakoff jewelry was carried in top retailers including Barney's, Neiman Marcus and S

aks Fifth Avenue, and graced the pages of leading fashion tomes of the late 80's and early 90's. Something of a phenomenon in the ever changing fashion industry, Cynthia has remained not just relevant, but at the forefront of the industry, designing jewelry for herself and others, including corporate stints at Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger and a collaboration with Club Monaco. Cynthia re-established her signature brand in 2007, evolving her organic style to the sleek Modern Essentials she's known for today. A favorite brand with fashion forward jewelry lovers, Cynthia Rybakoff jewelry can be purchased online or by appointment at her studio showroom.

Pearl Eyelash Bar EarringsA wink at the ear climber. Four rice pearls sweep along a curved bar. Modern pearls, with a fl...
09/03/2026

Pearl Eyelash Bar Earrings

A wink at the ear climber. Four rice pearls sweep along a curved bar. Modern pearls, with a flutter.

09/02/2026

STYLE FILE \ Modern Bride

Behind the scenes from a recent collaboration with some of New York City’s rising stars. When this much talent comes together, the results are nothing less than visionary.

Who says tradition can’t be bold.

Here’s to the dream team behind the scenes. Stay tuned for the completed portfolio.

Photographer: Michael Iorio
Model: Zoie Zeller
Gowns: Jude Jowilson
Hair: Dakota Malacara, Jesus S Alcester ⊹₊⋆ ⟢
Beauty: Myken
Jewelry: Cynthia Rybakoff

Find Your Rising StarJewelry that sparkles and shines like jewel encrusted rays of light. Shop our celestial selection o...
09/01/2026

Find Your Rising Star

Jewelry that sparkles and shines like jewel encrusted rays of light. Shop our celestial selection of heavenly pendants and earrings.

08/28/2026

Washed Ashore 🌊☀️

No notes for Mother Nature’s sunlit sparkle on these CR Archive pieces from the late 80’s.

1. Mosaic Starfish Brooch and Ear Clips set
2. Gilded Semi-precious Nugget Charm Necklace on braided cord
3. Gilded Spiral Wood Ring
4. Gilded Wood Scroll Ear Clips and Ring
5. Gilded Wood Starfish Brooch and Drop Earrings

Each piece was created from scratch by hand. DM me for details and pricing.

STYLE FILE \ More Was the PointNever subtle or sorry, Dolly Parton famously said it herself: the bigger the hair, the cl...
08/26/2026

STYLE FILE \ More Was the Point

Never subtle or sorry, Dolly Parton famously said it herself: the bigger the hair, the closer to God. Every look here follows that rule. Sequins, rhinestones, crystal fringe, flower garlands. Statement earrings were her favorite. A peacock’s wardrobe with one setting: full shine, all the time. She wore the whole rainbow and every color sparkled.

Rest in peace, Dolly Parton, 1946-2026.

08/25/2026

I never met a shade of yellow that didn’t find my heart 💛

Modern essential rings for the golden hour of summer and amber leaves of fall.

Antiquity is having a moment. My version started in 1988.As a child in the 70’s, I spent a lot of time at the Met, as it...
08/24/2026

Antiquity is having a moment. My version started in 1988.

As a child in the 70’s, I spent a lot of time at the Met, as it was a convenient dumping ground for creative children on Saturday mornings in NYC. There were classes with thematic tours of the museum. My favorite galleries were the halls of Greek and Roman art.

I went on to study Greek and Roman art history. I had been drawn to the Hellenistic and Roman jewelry from antiquity I saw in the Met long before I started designing, and the technique I created to make these beads and other pieces in the collection grew out of that obsession.

The beads were made from a type of resin clay, which I hand stamped using an eclectic toolkit comprised of a vintage Czech glass scarab, an antique African bell ornament for the spiral pattern, some wood dowels and a vintage glass tile that left a rectangular basketweave texture. I used these same items each time in a random fashion so no two pieces were alike. I then covered everything in gold leaf before drilling the holes and stringing them on leather cord. Other pieces like the earrings, cuffs, and rings were made in the same way for a cohesive look over all, each piece being unique and made to order.

Barney’s New York was the first store to carry this new collection, as they wanted the credit for a Vogue editorial. I kept a Polaroid record of all purchases, and image 6 is their exact order. They ordered a total of 16 necklaces plus the entire collection more or less. The necklace sold for $365 which would be $980 today, adjusted for inflation.

Isaac Mizrahi had styled the Nugget Bead Necklace in his Resort 1988/89 runway and in editorial, including the January 1989 Women’s Wear Daily cover and Vogue, shot by Irving Penn, that same year.

1. Women’s Wear Daily, January 1989
2. Nugget bead detail, Cynthia Rybakoff
3. Nugget Bead Necklace, Cynthia Rybakoff
4. Nugget Bead Necklace and Ear Clips, shot on location, Cynthia Rybakoff
5. Vogue, 1989, Irving Penn
6. Barneys New York purchase order Polaroid, Spring 1989, personal archive

Designer Off Duty / Hamptons StyleWhat I personally wear as a jewelry designer is very simple, especially when traveling...
08/21/2026

Designer Off Duty / Hamptons Style

What I personally wear as a jewelry designer is very simple, especially when traveling. I always style one full set and then wear a few pieces during the day, adding more at night. For this trip I packed some gold for day and pearls for evening.

The look starts with a coin necklace set with a chocolate diamond on one side, and engraved with my seashell logo on the other. It’s from my first 18k gold collection, which launched in 2005. I’m also wearing a vintage DoDo by Pomellato starfish charm in 18k which I adore.

The vintage pearl lariat is something I painstakingly made in 1998, when I was teaching myself bead knotting techniques, and it’s the layer of drama I needed for evening.

I’m also wearing my new Bare Baroque Pearl Earrings to dress things up in a casual way. Not too large or heavy, they were something I needed in my own wardrobe, which is sometimes the motivation behind the design.

I have no problem mixing fashion and fine jewelry, or new pieces with vintage favorites. It’s what looks right together.

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New York, NY

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