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 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 Hammered Gold Earrings
By Henry Dunay
Located in Darnestown, MD
Henry Dunay swirled, oval earrings in one of his favorite hammered gold finishes. The earrings are 3/4" wide and 1 " long. Perfect for either day or evening wear. Clip backs can be c...
Gold, 18k Gold
Henry Dunay Hammered Yellow Gold Clip Post Earrings
By Henry Dunay
Located in Stamford, CT
Henry Dunay hammered 18k yellow gold clip post earrings. 18k Yellow Gold Stamped: 750 D E3426 D=Dunay 20.6 grams 7/8 x 7/8 inch
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Henry Dunay 18K Hammered Gold Knot Earrings
By Henry Dunay
Located in Chicago, IL
These 18 karat gold earclips by Henry Dunay are a classic! In a knot motif design and hammered finish, these are perfect for everyday wear. Stamp: Dunay 18K Gross weight: 26.70 gra...
Gold, 18k Gold
Henry Dunay Diamond Gold Earrings
By Henry Dunay
Located in New York, NY
Pair of large 18k yellow gold brushed finish earrings, set with approx. 2.60ctw in diamonds. Earrings are 28mm x 21mm. Marked: 750, C1241, Dunay, 18k. Weight - 29.2 grams.
Diamond, Gold
$7,300 / item
Aquamarine Drop Earrings 18k White Gold
By Karma El Khalil
Located in New York, NY
Aquamarine Drop Earrings in 18K White Gold featuring Custom-Cut Pear Drops of Shimmering Aquamarine Aquamarine: 13.11cts 18k White Gold: 5.78g From Karma El Khalil's Conversations With The Moon Collection...
Aquamarine, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
$7,500 / item
Lavender Quartz Waterfall Earrings in 18k White Gold
By Karma El Khalil
Located in New York, NY
Ethereal Ombre Lavender Waterfall Earrings in 18k white gold, featuring ten graduating custom-cut cabochons of Lavender Quartz. Each earring displays five cabochons of lavender quartz gracefully decending in to a single trillion-cut blue-violet Iolite point. 18k White Gold Lavender Quartz : 36.65cts Iolite : 0.19cts From Karma El Khalil's Conversations With The Moon Collection
Iolite, Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ammanii Key Earrings with Ankh Amulet in Vermeil Gold
By Ammanii
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
These Key earrings are masterfully handcrafted from sterling silver base with 18k yellow gold plating, in a satin finish with high grade hand set Cubic Zi...
Zircon, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
Boulder Opal, Emerald and Lapis Earrings
By Tinguely Bijoux
Located in Boston, MA
Gorgeous trio of custom cut Boulder Opal, sliced Emerald and Afghani Lapis Lazuli set in 18 karat gold. Handmade bezels shaped in ancient lost wax casting method. One of a kind.
Emerald, Lapis Lazuli, Opal, 18k Gold
Sapphire Octagon Drop Earrings 18 Karat Gold
By Tinguely Bijoux
Located in Boston, MA
Octagon custom-cut blue sapphire slice earrings set in handmade 18 karat bezels.
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Henry Dunay Hammered Gold Half Hoop Earrings
By Henry Dunay
Located in Darnestown, MD
Henry Dunay half hoop earrings done in hammered gold, one of the finishes for which he is well known. Henry Dunay began his own jewelry firm in 1956 and continued it until 2008. Dur...
18k Gold
Henry Dunay 18 Karat Yellow Gold Hand Hammered Gold Clip Earrings
By Henry Dunay
Located in Austin, TX
A pair of elegance and classy hand hammered 18K yellow gold clip earrings by Henry Dunay. From the 1970's. Signed Dunay. 18K Length: 1.1", Width: 0.75". Total weight: 24 grams.
18k 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