Kurt Wayne brought an optimistic and playful style to the art of making jewelry. Celebrated by those in the know for his alluring, offbeat creations that feature south sea pearls, emeralds and more, Wayne strayed from conventional jewelry design of the time, making such bold decisions as setting a square-cut diamond in the center of a polished orb of black onyx. The Austrian-born designer produced lively pendants, rings and brooches made to resemble frogs, canaries and owls, and with radiant starbursts and clustered stones, Wayne's style was meant to bedazzle as much as it was to stoke the imagination.
Not much is known about the life of Kurt Wayne. He is believed to have been born in 1909, in Vienna, and was reportedly fostered by a jeweler at the age of ten. Under the jeweler's tutelage, Wayne learned about watchmaking and how to work with gold, silver and precious stones.
At the time, the whiplash lines, vibrant materials and dramatic imagery that had characterized the Art Nouveau style — cemented in Viennese culture by artists such as those in the Wiener Werkstätte collective and others working in the Jugendstil style in Germany and Austria — had given way to Art Deco’s geometric diamond brooches and long pearl necklaces.
In 1937, Wayne emigrated to the United States and settled in New York City. He is said to have established his own business in 1945 and found great success in making jewelry. Throughout his career, he developed close ties to the Zale family of Zale jewelers and with Stanley Marcus of Neiman Marcus.
Wayne created imaginative modernist cocktail rings and other accessories during the 1970s and 1980s that are still widely collected today.
Find vintage Kurt Wayne necklaces, earrings and bracelets on 1stDibs.
Kurt Wayne 18 Karat 2 Finish Link Bracelet
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Princeton, NJ
18kt Yellow Gold 2 Finish Link Bracelet. The bracelet is 7" in length and alternates between High Polish & Satin Finishing. The bracelet measures 21.5mm wide. The bracelet weighs 97.4 dwt. The bracelet is hallmarked KW (Kurt Wayne), 750 (18kt), and 110495. Expertly restored by our master jewelers and comes with a new purchase...
18k Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold Ribbed Cable Link Bracelet
Located in Troy, MI
This beautiful bracelet holds it's own worn by itself and also looks fantastic paired or stacked with other bracelets! Made from rich hued 18 karat yellow gold with ribbed cable link...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Weingrill 18 Karat Yellow Gold Woven Link Bracelet
By Carlo Weingrill
Located in Cattolica, IT
Handmade in Verona, Italy, from Carlo Weingrill witch name is synonymous of high quality and excellence of materials and craftsmanship since 1879. A fine and solid 18 Karat woven link bracelet...
Yellow Gold
Diana M 18 Karat Rose Gold Diamond Linked Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
18k Rose Gold Diamond Linked Bracelet features 6.02 carats of white and black diamonds. (also has matching earrings and pendant) 154.6 of gold
Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold Textured Cable Link Bracelet
Located in London, GB
An 18 karat (18K) yellow gold cable link bracelet with alternating textured and smooth links. Marked 750 to the spring ring for 18 karat gold,...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Italian Link Bracelet 14 Karat Gold Trendy Link Bracelet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful Link Bracelet - Has Alternate texture links well made and very trendy look. 14k Yellow Gold approx 4.80 grams. Length; 7' Inch Made In Italy. approx individual link size ...
Gold, 14k Gold
Vintage Heavy 18K Yellow Gold Solid Bark-Finish Link Bracelet
Located in Miami, FL
This Vintage unisex bracelet looks luxurious and timeless. The circa 1980s Vintage bracelet with Bark-Finish link is crafted in 18K yellow gold. This Matte Gold bracelet weighs i...
Yellow Gold
Italian Link Bracelet in 18k Yellow Gold with Florentine Brushed Finish
By Sarosi By Timeless Gems
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This eye-catching 18k yellow gold Italian link bracelet is an impressive statement of high fashion and quality! Stunning, 20mm wide links have elegant contouring and a gorgeous Flore...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Faye Kim 18 Karat Gold Marquise Link Bracelet
By Faye Kim
Located in Darien, CT
Faye Kim's 18K Gold Marquise Link Bracelet, handcrafted in her signature green gold matte finish, features a mix of alternating marquise and round-shaped open links. It can be worn o...
Gold, 18k Gold
18 Karat Rope Oval Link Bracelet
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This elegant bracelet is crafted in rich 18 karat yellow gold and features a striking rope-style oval link design. The piece is composed of six larger oval links measuring approximat...
Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Faye Kim 18 Karat Gold Diamond Paperclip Link Bracelet
By Faye Kim
Located in Darien, CT
Faye Kim 18K Gold Diamond Paperclip Link Bracelet The iconic Paperclip Chain is given a modern twist with a diamond pinwheel and double links. Wear alone or stacked with gold ba...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold Turquoise Link Bracelet
Located in London, GB
An 18 karat (18K) yellow gold bracelet designed as elongated links set with four evenly spaced round natural turquoise beads. Stamped with the owl mark for 18 karat gold and French i...
Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 18k Link Bracelet
Located in Narberth, PA
A fabulous link bracelet from the Vintage (ca1960s) era! Crafted in 18k vibrant yellow gold, this bracelet is comprised of 13 ellipse-shaped links. The center of each link features a...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Kurt Wayne 60.08 Carat Diamond Necklace and Bracelet Set
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Miami, FL
Spectacular Kurt Wayne necklace and bracelet set crafted in 18 karat yellow gold, featuring round brilliant and baguette cut diamonds weighing approximately 60.08 carats total, F-G c...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2.20 Carat Tapered Baguette Diamond Bracelet, Signed Kurt Wayne
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
A unique and artistic creation, designed as a row of 18 karat white gold knots intersected by tapered baguette diamonds. The bracelet measures 7 inches long and is signed & numbered by Kurt Wayne. The diamonds weigh 2.20 carats in total and exhibit E-F color with Vs clarity. This piece is strong enough to be worn alone, yet could also be stacked with your other favorite pieces. Kurt Wayne’s fine jewelry...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Kurt Wayne Pearl & Diamond Gold Flower Bracelet
By Kurt Wayne
Located in New York, NY
This stunning one-of-a-kind 18kt yellow gold bracelet is part of the Kurt Wayne collection. It features four strands of 6.5mm cream colored cultured pearls with three diamond accente...
Cultured Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold
Kurt Wayne Ruby & Diamond Gold Bracelet
By Kurt Wayne
Located in New York, NY
One-of-a-kind 18kt yellow gold bracelet from the Kurt Wayne collection. This beautiful bracelet features 1.32ctw of round brilliant diamonds set in frames around 4.96ctw of pear shap...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Kurt Wayne Ruby Diamond Bracelet
By Kurt Wayne
Located in New York, NY
18kt White Gold Diamond Baguette & marquise shaped Ruby Bracelet. Marked 18kt & signed KW for Kurt Wayne. Great to mix with Diamond or mixed stone straight line Bracelets. 7.35car...
Diamond, Ruby, White Gold, 18k Gold