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.
Henry Dunay Twisted Ribbon Link Collar Necklace Set in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By Henry Dunay
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Crafted with exquisite artistry, this Henry Dunay collar necklace showcases a mesmerizing twisted design, reminiscent of delicately intertwined ribbons. Meticulously fashioned from r...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
14 Karat Yellow Gold Wide Collar Link Necklace 110.8 Grams
By Harbor Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Bold 14 Karat Yellow Gold link necklace weighing 110.8 Grams. Very comfortable on the neck & really makes an outfit! DM for more videos and pictures on my neck. Search Harbor Di...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold Albert Watch Link Chain Necklace
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona Design Collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat yellow gold 18" long Albert watch link chain necklace. Alex Jona jewels stand out, not ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Alex Jona 18 Karat Yellow Gold Link Chain Necklace
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona Design Collection, Hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat yellow gold link chain necklace. Dimension : L 17.72 in X W 0.30 in - L 45 cm X W 7.6 mm - Weight 18.4 gr Alex Jona jew...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier Maillon Steel & 18k Yellow Gold Link Collar Necklace
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Cartier Maillon Steel & 18k Yellow Gold Link Collar Necklace From the luxury brand's iconic Maillon collection, this collar necklace is ma...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel
Collar Necklace 14k Yellow Gold Flexible Panther Link
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Gorgeous late 20th-century panther link necklace crafted from 14k Yellow Gold. Features 3 rows of links with very flexible movement, a box clasp closure and extra link. Total weight ...
14k Gold
Alex Jona 18 Karat Yellow Gold Link Chain Necklace
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona Design Collection, Hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat yellow gold 16.9 inch-43cm long link chain necklace. Alex Jona jewels stand out, not only for their special design and ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Alex Jona 18 Karat Yellow Gold Link Chain Necklace
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona Design Collection, Hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat yellow gold, 18.11 in / 46 cm long, link chain necklace. All Jona jewelry is new and has never been previously owned or w...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$18,720Sale Price|20% Off
Cipullo Gold Collar Necklace. Geometric Collar Chain Necklace 18K Yellow Gold
By Cipullo
Located in New York, NY
Signed: Cipullo Metal: Gold, Yellow Gold Style: Art Deco Total Weight: 65.4 Grams An exquisite signed Cipullo collar necklace, masterfully handcrafted in 18k yellow gold. This stri...
Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Alex Jona 18 Karat Yellow Gold Link Chain Necklace
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona Design Collection, Hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat yellow gold, 18.11 in / 46 cm long, link chain necklace. Dimensions : L 18.11 in / 46 cm X W 0.31 in / 7.90 mm X D 0.065...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Alex Jona 18 Karat Yellow Gold Chain Link Necklace
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat yellow gold interlocking link necklace. Dimensions : L x 46.1 cm, Dm x 1 cm - L x 18.14 in, Dm x 0.39 in. Alex Jona jewe...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950's Tiffany & Company 14 Karat Yellow Gold Collar Link Necklace 15 Inches
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Boca Raton, FL
14K Yellow Gold Vintage Tiffany & Co. Collar Necklace featuring a sleek and sophisticated design that exemplifies Tiffany's timeless elegance. Expertly crafted in rich 14K yellow...
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Alex Jona 18 Karat Yellow Gold Link Chain Necklace
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona Design Collection, Hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat yellow gold link chain necklace. Dimension : L 17.32 in X W 0.36 in - L 44 cm X W 9.2 mm - Weight 20.7 gr Alex Jona jew...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Henry Dunay Faceted Links Chain Necklace In Solid 18Kt Yellow Gold
By Henry Dunay
Located in Miami, FL
Links necklace designed by Henry Dunay. Gorgeous necklace, created in New York city at the jewelry atelier of Henry Dunay, back in the late 20th century. This necklace has been craf...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Henry Dunay Sabi Link Diamond Necklace Yellow Gold
By Henry Dunay
Located in Dallas, TX
Estate Henry Dunay Sabi Link Diamond Necklace in 18K yellow gold. The necklace features approximately 11.90ctw of round brilliant cut diamonds that are F-G...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Henry Dunay Vintage 18 Karat Gold Cynnabar Faceted Curb Link Necklace
By Henry Dunay
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a chain necklace with substantial curbed links Featuring a brightly polished hammered finish Completed by a concealed clasp with a fold over safety Stamped 18K and 750...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Henry Dunay Yellow Gold and Diamond Sabi Necklace
By Henry Dunay
Located in Dallas, TX
This beautiful 18K Gold Necklace has 11 diamond links and 6.68cts of diamonds. Stamped Dunay and 01723 18K and 750. Exceptional piece, classic look.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Custom Listing for Lynn Henry Dunay Gold Hammered Link Necklace
By Henry Dunay
Located in Palm Beach, FL
A sizable gold link necklace signed Dunay, comprised of 22 iconic hammered links, with each link measuring 7/8 of an inch wide. The necklace measures 16 1/2 inches long. Each link is...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Henry Dunay Hammered Gold Necklace
By Henry Dunay
Located in New York, NY
Authentic Henry Duany necklace crafted in 18 karat hammered gold. Necklace measures 19 1/2 inches in length and 3/4 inch in width with a slide clasp. The flexible links are in exce...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Henry Dunay 18 Karat Yellow Gold Hammer Finished Necklace
By Henry Dunay
Located in Dallas, TX
Henry Dunay 18K Yellow Gold Hammer Finished Necklace. This classic look from Dunay transcends time. It can go from the boardroom to the ballroom without skipping a beat. From the S...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Henry Dunay Vintage 18 Karat Gold Faceted Curb Link Necklace, circa 1980
By Henry Dunay
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Collar style necklace comprised of large, hollow, curbed links With a faceted texture throughout and a high polished finish Completed by concealed clasp and white gold fold over sa...
18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Henry Dunay Hammered Golden Link Necklace
By Henry Dunay
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
The hammered texture reflects light beautifully, augmenting the allure of the design. Henry Dunay is legendary for his goldsmith techniques and this necklace easily recognizable as h...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Henry Dunay Retro 2.15 Carat Diamond 18 Karat Brushed Gold Pavã Sabi Necklace
By Henry Dunay
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as curbed link necklace with a strong brushed finish and a diamond accented link Pavé set diamond link weighing approximately 2.15 carats total, G/H color and VS clarity ...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Henry Dunay Hammered 18 Karat Yellow Gold Curb Link Necklace
By Henry Dunay
Located in Palm Desert, CA
18 karat yellow gold Signed Henry Dunay hammered curb link necklace. 114 grams in weight. 18 inches in length.
18k Gold
Henry Dunay 1990s Basketweave Necklace
By Henry Dunay
Located in New York, NY
An American Late-20th Century 18 karat gold necklace by Henry Dunay. The highly flexible necklace is composed of a basketweave link pattern with Henry Dunay’s distinctive surface tex...
18k Gold