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.
18k Yellow Gold Kurt Wayne Diamond & Sapphire Tennis Bracelet
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Stone Information - Primary Stone(s): Diamond - Clarity: SI1 - Color Grade: H - Cut: Round - Color: White - # of Stones: 26 - Carat Weight (ea): ~0.14ct/ea - Total Carat Weight: ~3....
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Yellow Gold Turquoise and Diamonds Tennis Bracelet
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Bracelets are worn to enhance the look. Women love to look good. It is common to see a woman rocking a lovely gold bracelet on her wrist. A gold gemstone bracelet is the ultimate sta...
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18k Yellow Gold Diamond Heart Tennis Bracelet
Located in Honolulu, HI
Bracelet Specifications: Metal: 18k Yellow Gold Diamond Carat Weight: ~ 2.00 carats Diamond Count: 34 brilliant Diamond Color: G-H Diamond Clarity: SI2-I1 Bracelet Length: ~6....
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Ruby and diamond tennis bracelet 18k yellow gold
Located in London, GB
Ruby and diamonds tennis eternity bracelet in 18k yellow gold. Beautiful eternity bracelet composed of princess cut ruby gemstones and round brilliant cut diamonds all mounted in 18c...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Yellow Gold Blue Sapphire Diamond Bracelet
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Bracelets are worn to enhance the look. Women love to look good. It is common to see a woman rocking a lovely gold bracelet on her wrist. A gold gemstone bracelet is the ultimate sta...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
18K Yellow Gold Natural Multi Sapphire and Diamond Tennis Bracelet
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Bracelets are worn to enhance the look. Women love to look good. It is common to see a woman rocking a lovely gold bracelet on her wrist. A gold gemstone bracelet is the ultimate sta...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Handmade 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Tennis Bracelet, 6 ct
By THEVAULT15
Located in Boostedt, DE
This is an end-of-line clearance item. Only one remains. A new take on a classic tennis bracelet. This beautifully handmade 18-karat yellow gold bracelet is encrusted with sparkling...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,701Sale Price / item|30% Off
W 0.15 in L 7 in
Blue Sapphire Tennis Bracelet with Diamonds for Wedding in 18k Yellow Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
This Blue Sapphire Tennis Bracelet with Diamonds for Wedding in 18K gold showcases endlessly sparkling natural blue sapphire, weighing 5.51 carats and diamonds weighing 0.135 carats....
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,796Sale Price / item|30% Off
W 0.13 in L 7 in
8.9 Carat Rainbow Sapphire Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Tennis Bracelet
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
This 8.9 Carat Rainbow Sapphire Diamond Tennis Bracelet in 18K gold showcases endlessly sparkling natural multi sapphires of 8.9 carats and 0.2 carats of diamond. It measures 7 inche...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K White Gold Blue Sapphire Tennis Bracelet
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Bracelets are worn to enhance the look. Women love to look good. It is common to see a woman rocking a lovely gold bracelet on her wrist. A gold gemstone bracelet is the ultimate sta...
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K Yellow Gold Oval Cut Multi Sapphire Tennis Bracelet with Diamonds
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Bracelets are worn to enhance the look. Women love to look good. It is common to see a woman rocking a lovely gold bracelet on her wrist. A gold gemstone bracelet is the ultimate sta...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,754Sale Price / item|30% Off
W 0.23 in L 7 in
18k Yellow Gold Multi Sapphire Diamond Tennis Bracelet Gift for Women
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
This Multi Sapphire Diamond Tennis Bracelet in 18K gold showcases endlessly sparkling natural multi sapphires of 8.09 carats and 0.2 carats of diamond. It measures 7 inches long in l...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Sapphire & Diamond Tennis Bracelet 18K White Gold
Located in Montgomery, AL
We are loving this vintage bracelet!! Bracelet Details Material: 18K White Gold Length: 7 Inches Width: 7.25mm Weight: 21.6 Grams Accented by the following gemstones 39 - 3.7mm Rou...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White 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 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