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 Tourmaline Gold Ring
By Henry Dunay
Located in Darnestown, MD
Sporty tourmaline ring set in 18 karat gold by American designer, Henry Dunay. The half round cabochon stone is set in Dunay's often used hammered gold with triple banding throughout...
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Henry Dunay Platinum Baroque Pearl and Diamond Ring
By Henry Dunay
Located in Houston, TX
Henry Dunay platinum ring featuring a large baroque pearl surrounded by diamonds. There are 82 round diamonds surrounding the pearl which total 3.28 ca...
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Circa 1950's Emerald and Diamond Ring Set in Platinum
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful emerald and diamond ring with a unique vintage design. Approximately 4.5 carats of round emeralds and .75 carats of round brilliant diamonds set in platinum Size 6.5
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
$7,840Sale Price|20% Off
French Art Deco Certified Natural Sea Pearl & Platinum Ring
Located in Northampton, MA
A French Art Deco masterpiece! Created in France in the 1920s, this natural saltwater pearl and diamond ring is a geometric tour de force and one of the most gorgeous natural pearl r...
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Henry Dunay Hammered Yellow Gold
By Henry Dunay
Located in New York, NY
18k yellow hammered gold ring by Henry Dunay. Finger Size 7, top is 25mm x 26mm, sits approx. 18mm from the finger when worn. Marked 18k and Dunay. Weight 26.1 grams.
Yellow Gold
David Webb Platinum & 18K Yellow Gold Baroque Pearl Diamond Ring
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
David Webb Platinum & 18K Yellow Gold Baroque Pearl Diamond Ring. This striking square-top ring features a pave-set diamond surface, with th...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Henry Dunay Stylized Hammered Yellow Gold Ring
By Henry Dunay
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Highly stylized hand hammered oblong 18k yellow gold doom ring by Henry Dunay. The ring makes you think of waves rolling over your finger. It measures 1.23" long by .83" wide by ....
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Vintage Henry Dunay 18k Gold Openwork Geometric Ring Circa 1970s
By Henry Dunay
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This Henry Dunay 18k yellow gold ring features an architectural openwork design with textured panels and polished gold framing. The ring is signed Dunay with a copyright mark and 18k...
18k Gold
$36,750Sale Price|30% Off
GIA Jade Diamond Platinum Ring
Located in San Francisco, CA
Platinum Oval Double Cabochon Cut Jade Ring set with 58 Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds for approximately 0.50cts. The total weight of the ring is 7.7 grams and is a size 7. Jade is nat...
Diamond, Jade, Platinum
Edwardian Platinum Diamond and Natural Pearl Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1920s Platinum Ring in the high Edwardian style, measuring 1 inch in length and 5/8 inch wide at the center. Set with Old cut Diamonds totaling approximately .90 Carat, Central...
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Steven Battelle 0.3 Carats Trillium Pink Tourmaline 18K Gold Ring
By Steven Battelle
Located in Soquel, CA
A brilliant 4 mm trillium faceted rubelite pink tourmaline rests in the center of gentle matte-finish spirals in this elegant design. This ring is sized 6. It is easily resizable. T...
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Sigurd Persson Green Tourmaline and Gold Ring 1960
By Sigurd Persson
Located in New York, NY
A green tourmaline and 18-karat gold cube ring with a double shank by Sweden's most prolific and famous designer, Sigurd Persson, 1960. He designed everything from fine jewelry to...
Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Henry Dunay Textured 18 Karat Gold Ring
By Henry Dunay
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
This very tasteful ring was made by American jeweller, Henry Dunay. Crafted from 18 karat yellow gold the ring features an ingenious 'hinged shank' which we believe to be original to...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$3,000Sale Price|20% Off
Baroque South Sea Pearl and Baguette cut diamond Ring set in Platinum
Located in New York, NY
Amazing Estate Statement Platinum ring set with a Baroque South Sea Pearl, measuring 16 x 13 x 11 MM. Unique Size and Shape of the Pearl make this ring special. The Pearl is surroun...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl
Henry Dunay 1970s 18 Karat Yellow Gold Faceted Vintage Dome Ring
By Henry Dunay
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as an oblong domed form with rigid segments. Featuring a stylized facet texture throughout. Accented by a fluted shank. With a high polish finish. Stamped K18 for 18 karat g...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
18k Gold Henry Dunay Vintage Hand Hammered Ring
By Henry Dunay
Located in Venice, CA
This 18k gold ring is big and bold—a classic Henry Dunay design that has great presence on the hand. The ring is sculptural, with a hand-hammered finish that accentuates the large faceted planes of gold that reflect the light for a mesmerizing effect . The ring has sensuous curves and an organic shape similar to a seashell or an ocean wave. Henry Dunay is an award-winning goldsmith and jeweler who gained worldwide recognition after receiving the De Beers Diamond International...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Henry Dunay Turquoise 18 Karat Yellow Gold Hammered Finish Cocktail Ring
By Henry Dunay
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Fabulous turquoise and 18 karat yellow gold ring by American designer Henry Dunay. The bright gold hammered finish ring features a bezel set faceted cabochon turquoise gemstone. The ...
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
c. 1970 Henry Dunay Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, and 18 Karat Gold Ring
By Henry Dunay
Located in New York, NY
An amethyst, diamond, emerald and 18 karat textured gold ring, by Henry Dunay, c. 1970, United States. This ring is signed Dunay 18k. Size 5. This is an earlier ring by Dunay, luscious and sparkling. Henry Dunay won a Diamonds International Award early in his career and quickly became a star in the Neiman Marcus jewelry...
Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Henry Dunay 3.50 Carats Diamond 18 Karat Gold Cynnabar Statement Ring
By Henry Dunay
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Substantial statement ring is designed as four segments Two with a brightly polished and faceted finish Others are pavè set by round brilliant cut diamonds Total weight is approxi...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Henry Dunay 18 Karat Yellow Gold Sabi Twist Statement Ring
By Henry Dunay
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Ring is designed as a twist motif comprised of three dynamic gold segments Featuring a deeply grooved texture with two high polished accents Stamped 18K for 18 karat gold Signed D...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Henry Dunay 'Sabi' Gold and Diamond Pave Ring
By Henry Dunay
Located in New York, NY
Authentic Henry Dunay 'Sabi' brushed gold finish ring features approximately 1.80 carats of high quality pave set round brilliant cut diamonds (E-F color, VS clarity). Signed Dunay w...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Henry Dunay Vintage 18 Karat Yellow Gold Hammered Swirl Ring, circa 1980s
By Henry Dunay
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Domed ring designed as two converging swirls of polished gold with hammered finish With deeply engraved ridge throughout full shank Signed Dunay, numbered, and with maker's mark ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Henry Dunay Hand Hammered 18 Karat Gold Bombe Ring
By Henry Dunay
Located in Austin, TX
A sculpted and hammered 18K yellow gold ring of bombé form. Signed Dunay, maker's mark, Marks 18K © 750, numbered. Ring size 7.75, Weight: 20.5 grams. Dimensions: 1.25" L x 0.85" W...
18k Gold, Gold
Henry Dunay Retro 18K Aquamarine and Diamond cocktail Ring
By Henry Dunay
Located in New York, NY
An exceptional design 18k mounting of a large pear shaped faceted Aquamarine with Diamonds set in gold cubes with ridges surrounding the Aquamarine. This rare piece is hand made and ...
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold
Henry Dunay Morganite Dome Ring
By Henry Dunay
Located in New Orleans, LA
A lush, peach-hued morganite cabochon is the star of this sleek Henry Dunay ring. The blush-colored jewel rests in its 18K yellow gold mounting which features Dunay's signature "Sabi...
Morganite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Henry Dunay Yellow Gold Hammered Bombe Ring
By Henry Dunay
Located in Southampton, PA
A stunningly offbeat design is luxuriously presented in attractive gold in this exemplary jewelry piece that will accentuate your look in an incredibly fashionable manner. The ring i...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold