Henry Dunay is one of the finest goldsmiths and jewelry makers of the 20th century. The seasoned American designer has for decades created exquisite jewelry by hand that is characterized by bold proportions and precise craftsmanship. Dunay’s breathtaking brooches, bracelets, rings and other accessories have garnered worldwide renown and — on the secondary market — are being reappraised by collectors as icons of contemporary design.
Dunay was born Henry Loniewski in Jersey City, New Jersey, and apprenticed for a downtown New York City jeweler named Rudolph Cacioli in his early teens. He spent a little less than seven years working under Cacioli, and set off to open his own business in 1956. He took on his mother's maiden name Dunay, believing his family name would be an obstacle to his success. At first, Dunay secured work designing pieces for other jewelers, including Harry Winston, one of the first figures in the field to recognize the branding power of lending glitzy fine jewelry for red-carpet events. As his skill set broadened, Dunay began handcrafting his own designs and built a name for himself.
Dunay’s business exploded thanks to the publicity around the De Beers Diamonds International Award he won in 1967. From then on, his fame grew and demand increased for his unique adornments, which feature distinctive metal finishes as well as blue sapphires, pavé set diamonds and a range of other gems. Dunay went on to win more awards from De Beers Diamonds and a wealth of other national and international awards throughout his career.
Dunay garnered acclaim for a sophisticated engraved-surface technique he calls Sabi, which draws on the traditional Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, and iconic figures such as Elizabeth Taylor, Nancy Reagan and Princess Diana all wore his elegant pieces for public appearances. At the 2003 Academy Awards, many celebrities donned Dunay’s Dove of Peace pin, commissioned by Global Vision for Peace and inspired by the work of Pablo Picasso. The designer is a member of the Gemological Institute of America and a past president of the American Jewelry Design Council. In 2009, he sold his company and later established H.D.D., Inc.
Find vintage Henry Dunay necklaces, earrings and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
Vintage Henry Dunay 18k Gold Hammered Shell Motif Clip Earrings
By Henry Dunay
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
These vintage Henry Dunay earrings are crafted in 18k yellow gold and feature a sculptural shell motif with a rounded folded fan form. The design is built with layered, curved ridges...
Gold, 18k Gold
Henry Dunay Hammered Gold Earrings
By Henry Dunay
Located in New York, NY
This is a fabulous pair of 18k yellow gold earrings by Henry Dunay. The earrings feature impressive hammered gold finish. The earrings measure 35mm by 11mm and weigh 32.4 grams. The ...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Henry Dunay 18k Yellow Gold Rope-Twist Hoop Earrings
By Henry Dunay
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Bold oval hoop earrings in 18k yellow gold by Henry Dunay, featuring a rope-twist design with a textured finish. Omega-style clip backs. Signed '© Dunay ® 18K'. Henry Dunay was an...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Enamel Bakelite Hand Painted Emerald Ruby Diamond Earrings
By Meghna Jewels
Located in Hoffman Estate, IL
These beautiful bakelite bird earrings features unique hand painted miniature art set. Cast in 18-karat gold & sterling silver, these earrings are set wi...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel
$10,500 / item
Turquoise Diamond Meghna Jewels Flame Earrings
By Meghna Jewels
Located in Hoffman Estate, IL
Renowned for its modern & fierce jewelry, "Meghna Jewels" highlights her signature pave diamond arches in these stunning Flame Earrings. These gorge...
Diamond, White Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Meghna Jewels 15.78 Carats Amethyst Tourmaline 14 Karat Gold Earrings
By Meghna Jewels
Located in Hoffman Estate, IL
Hand cast from 14-karat gold, these stunning earrings are set with 15.78 carats amethyst. 1.45 carats tourmaline and 1.0 carats of sparkling diamonds. FOLLOW MEGHNA JEWELS storefro...
Amethyst, Tourmaline, Gold, 14k Gold
Enamel Hand Painted Diamond Amethyst 18 Karat Gold Earrings
By Meghna Jewels
Located in Hoffman Estate, IL
These beautiful bird earrings features unique hand painted miniature art cast in 18K gold. It is set in 59.75 carats pearl, 6.1 carats amethyst & 0.13 carats diamonds. FOLLOW MEGH...
Diamond, Amethyst, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
Gray Mother of Pearl "Seaweed" Earrings, MWLC
By Mark Walsh Leslie Chin
Located in New York, NY
"Seaweed" earrings of iridescent gray mother of pearl plaques in gilded bronze settings. Made in the Parisian studios of MWLC. 21 Century. 2.25" ...
Gold Plate, Bronze, Gilt Metal
Stunning one of a kind Swarovski crystal skull earrings
Located in BOGOTÁ, CO
Make a bold statement with these one-of-a-kind earrings, featuring a daring white gold plated skull at the center. Drenched in Swarovski crystals and accented with lustrous pearls, t...
Crystal, Gold-filled, Base Metal
Antique Sapphire And Rose Cut Diamond Gold Earrings
Located in Cairo, EG
Antique earrings centered with navy blue colour sapphire in rose cut facets with a diameter of 9mm×8.5mm each flanked with several rose cut diamonds in earrings setting mix of 10k gold and silver total earrings length 1.5cm dates back to 1880/1890.c ottoman era...
Sapphire, 10k Gold
$10,900 / item
Antique Style Turquoise Rose Cut Diamond Earrings
By Meghna Jewels
Located in Hoffman Estate, IL
Cast from 18K gold and sterling silver, these beautiful earrings are encrusted with turquoise and 9.98 carats rose cut diamonds with blackened finish. FOLLOW MEGHNA JEWELS storefr...
Diamond, Turquoise, Sterling Silver, 18k Gold
Pair of Antique Late 19th Century Pearl and Diamond Pendent Earrings
Located in OVIEDO, AS
A PAIR OF LATE 19TH CENTURY PEARL AND DIAMOND PENDENT EARRINGS From the top of each pearl suspending vertically set from three graduated old brilliant-cut diamonds suspending, appro...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
Henry Dunay Small Knot Earrings
By Henry Dunay
Located in Darnestown, MD
Henry Dunay 18 karat gold knot earrings that are typical of his design but smaller than his usual size. The earrings measure half an inch wide by 9/16 inch long. They are done with t...
18k Gold
Henry Dunay Yellow Gold Flame Texted Leaf Earrings
By Henry Dunay
Located in Stamford, CT
Henry Dunay 18k yellow gold flame leaf earrings. Henry Dunay is a world's premier jewelry designers, known for his famous Sabi textured styling which is a result of finely hand-etche...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
HENRY DUNAY New York Large Dangle Drop Earrings In Faceted 18Kt Yellow Gold
By Henry Dunay
Located in Miami, FL
Dangle drop earrings designed by Henry Dunay. Large pair of dangles drop earrings, created in New York city at the jewelry atelier of Henry Dunay, back in the 1990's. They were craf...
Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
HENRY DUNAY New York Door Knockers Drop Earrings In Solid 18Kt Yellow Gold
By Henry Dunay
Located in Miami, FL
Dangle door knockers earrings designed by Henry Dunay. Large pair of dangles door knockers earrings, created in New York city at the jewelry atelier of Henry Dunay, back in the 1990...
Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Henry Dunay New York Large Dangle Drop Earrings in Faceted Solid 18Kt Gold
By Henry Dunay
Located in Miami, FL
Dangle drop earrings designed by Henry Dunay. Large pair of dangles drop earrings, created in New York city at the jewelry atelier of Henry Dunay, back in the 1990's. They were crafted with fluted shape, in solid rich yellow gold of 18 karats and the surfaces are entirely finished with his iconic faceted pattern. Fitted at the reverse with a pair of comfortable hinged French omega backs for fastening clip and the addition of posts for pierced ears can be easily done. Great look for every day, with fabulous eye appeal. Weight: 35.95 grams (23.95 Dwt). Measurements: 55 mm by 18 mm (2.18 x 0.71 inch). Hallmarks: They are both stamped with the Henry Dunay maker's mark, the mark for the gold assay and signed, "©DUNAY D 18 KT ". Henry Dunay He was born in 1935 in New Jersey, He was an American goldsmith and jewelry designer, best known for his fine scratched surface technique known as Sabi. Having apprenticed in the workshop of New York City jeweler Rudolph Cacioli at the age of 14, Dunay learned the fine art of creating jewelry. Though starting as an errand boy, he quickly worked his way up to becoming a master model maker and setter at a remarkably young age, impressing Cacioli with the fineness of his work and the refinement of his proportions and curves. Observing that most jewelry in shop windows he peered into followed the same styles and dimensions, he started his own firm in 1956. Taking on work from other manufacturers (including Harry Winston) to support himself initially, Dunay quickly found success and fame after winning the De Beers Diamond International Award, which showered images of his designs around the world...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold
W 0.71 in L 2.08 in
Henry Dunay New York Large Dangle Drop Earrings In Faceted Solid 18K Yellow Gold
By Henry Dunay
Located in Miami, FL
Dangle drop earrings designed by Henry Dunay. Large pair of dangle drop earrings, created in New York city at the jewelry atelier of Henry Dunay back in the 1990's. They was crafted...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Henry Dunay 18K Gold Sabi Finish Doorknocker Earrings
By Henry Dunay
Located in Houston, TX
Estate Henry Dunay 18K yellow gold doorknocker earrings in both the Sabi finish and a high polish finish. A fluid design that measures 2 1/4 inches long and 1 1/4 inches at the wide...
18k Gold
Henry Dunay 18 Karat Yellow Gold Fashionable Door Knocker Earrings
By Henry Dunay
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Earrings designed as a tri-segmented surmount and articulated circular drop With faceted texture and polished finish Completed by hinged omega backs and posts With maker's mark fo...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Henry Dunay Yellow Sapphire Diamond Gold Earrings
By Henry Dunay
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A pair of gorgeous earrings created by Henry Dunay in the 1980's. Made of 18 karat (stamped) yellow gold and feature four briolette cut yellow sapphires accented with round brillian...
Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Henry Dunay The Collection Pear Drop Earrings
By Henry Dunay
Located in New York, NY
One-of-a-kind signed platinum freeform diamond earrings from The Collection by Henry Dunay. These diamond earrings feature 108 pave set round brilliants weighing 0.97ctw and 10 pear ...
Diamond, Platinum
Henry Dunay Hammered Gold Earrings
By Henry Dunay
Located in New York, NY
A pair of American Estate 18 karat gold ear pendants by Henry Dunay. The earrings are made of hammered gold in a ribbed design with tops and pendant drops. Circa 1980’s. Sign...
18k Gold
Henry Dunay 2.61ctw Diamond Chandelier Earrings
By Henry Dunay
Located in New York, NY
One-of-a-kind The Collection by Henry Dunay signed 18kt white gold diamond earrings featuring 4 marquises weighing 1.02ctw, 4 round brilliants weighing 0.48ctw and 151 round brillian...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Natural Tangerine Moonstone & Diamond Earrings by Henry Dunay
By Henry Dunay
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Signed by Henry Dunay, beautifully matched Natural Tangerine Moonstones total 48.12 carats with diamond accents totaling 5.79 carats. Presently, the earrings are clip on, however, t...
Diamond, Moonstone, 18k Gold
18K Yellow Gold, Baroque Natural Pearl & Diamond Earrings
By Henry Dunay
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
18K Yellow Gold, Baroque Natural Pearl & Diamond Earrings by Henry Dunay - Stunning design, Masterful craftsmanship, estate
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold