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.
$2,980Sale Price|20% Off
Henry Dunay Seashell Brooch/Pin Hammered Finish 18K Yellow Gold
By Henry Dunay
Located in Perry, FL
Hammered Finish Signed Henry Dunay Seashell Brooch/ Pin in 18K Yellow Gold.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$14,500
W 1.38 in L 0.99 in
Buccellati Vintage No Heat Blue Sapphire 18k Gold Floral Square Brooch Pin
By Mario Buccellati
Located in Miami, FL
This Extraordinary rectangular Vintage Buccellati Diamond and Sapphire Brooch. This piece was crafted in Luxurious 18K yellow gold. Measuring approx. 33 mm x 25 mm, this brooch ...
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Antique Yellow Gold Diamond Bow Pin
Located in Coral Gables, FL
18 Karat Yellow Gold Antique Bow Brooch Featuring 11 Old Mine Cut Diamonds Totaling Approximately 1.00 Carat. Finished Weight Is 4.1 Grams. 1.2 Inch...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier 18k 750 Yellow Gold and Diamond Compact
By Cartier
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Vintage 18K yellow gold Cartier compact powder box with a woven texture and diamond encrusted thumb-piece. Circa 1950's. The compact is stamped with th...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond Dragonfly Brooch
By Fred Leighton
Located in New Orleans, LA
Enveloped in a sea of 60.26 carats of fancy vivid yellow diamonds is this tour de force of jewelry craftsmanship from the collaboration of jewelry legends Fred Leighton and Carvin French. Made for Patricia Kluge...
Yellow Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Rose Gold Turtle Mixed Colored Diamond Brooch
By Althoff Jewelry
Located in Hong Kong, HK
18K Rose Gold Turtle Mixed Diamond Brooch 54 Mixed Colored Diamonds - 0.37 CT 2 Rubies - 0.01 CT 18K Rose Gold - 3.95 GM Turtle represents intuitive development, protection, wisdom...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Hattie Carnegie Whimsical "Insect" with Movable Wings Gilded Hardware Brooch
By Hattie Carnegie
Located in New York, NY
Hattie Carnegie wonderfully whimsical etched gilded gold vermeil hardware "Insect" brooch is accented with movable wings as if in flight whether being worn or just simply plac...
$414Sale Price|20% Off
L 2.17 in
Antique Dagger/Knife Stick Pin with Ruby and Rose Cut Diamonds in 18 Carat Gold
Located in London, GB
Detailed out of the ordinary antique yellow gold pin, with an edgy dagger sweet motif of a sharp yellow gold dagger sleek and smooth. The handles are crafted with such consideration,...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, 9k Gold
$386Sale Price|20% Off
L 2.29 in
Vintage Stick/Tie Pin, Fox Head with Ruby Eyes set in 9 Carat Yellow Gold
Located in London, GB
Sweet, edgy, and boho pin, creative and fun to wear, charming with this 9 carat yellow gold pin in fox head design. The fox head itself has incredible details, from its whiskers to i...
Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Alice Caviness Sterling Silver with Gold Overlay Moveable Butterfly Wings Brooch
By Alice Caviness
Located in New York, NY
Alice Caviness wonderfully detailed sterling silver with gold overlay butterfly brooch has all four wings moveable if desired. Filigree handwork and made in Germany. The upper...
Diamond Spear Stick Pin Hat Pin in 18K White Gold, 0.50 Carat, Merkaba Jewelry
By Merkaba
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A sleek and distinctive diamond spear stick pin hat pin by Merkaba Jewelry Beverly Hills, crafted in 18K white gold. Designed with a refined, modern silhouette, this piece adds sharp...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Rare Egyptian Revival Pharoah Brooch Lapis Diamond Ruby Pearl Enamel Art Deco
Located in New York, NY
This is a museum quality Belle Epoque - Art Deco Egyptian Revival masterpiece with a Lapis Lazuli Pharoah, adorned with Old Mine and Rose Cut Diamonds, Ruby, and Pearls and set in 14...
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Gold, Enamel, Yellow Gold
Large Sterling Silver 'Maker's Mark' JFR Abalone-Center Floral Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Wonderfully detailed large brooch accented with a abalone center back-drop for the centerpiece featuring a 3-dimensional 'Vase with Fresh-Cut Florals'. Brooch is bordered with floral...
Rare Designer Henry Dunay Bear Animal Brooch Sabi Pin 18k Yellow Gold Unique
By Henry Dunay
Located in Perry, FL
Rare Signed Henry Dunay Animal Bear Brooch 18k Yellow Gold with Sabi Finish. Stunning detailing and craftsmanship, such as the finish of the bears coat w...
Yellow Gold