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.
Vintage Kurt Wayne 18K 25.09 Carat Total Citrine and Diamond Drop Earrings
By Kurt Wayne
Located in New York, NY
These vibrant Kurt Wayne drop earrings are a striking display of color, brilliance, and refined craftsmanship. Crafted in rich 18K yellow gold, the design features two impressive cit...
Citrine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Amethyst and Diamond Drop Earrings in 18k Yellow Gold, 6.72 Carats Total
By Sarosi By Timeless Gems
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These stunning drop earrings feature rich purple amethysts and brilliant diamonds in a design that will add everyday elegance to your wardrobe! Stylish and modern but with timeless a...
Amethyst, White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Kurt Wayne Floral Diamond Earrings
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Darnestown, MD
Stunning diamond earrings by Kurt Wayne in the shape of a flower. Each earring has 33 round brilliant diamonds for a total weight of 2.5 carats. Twisted gold frames each of the three...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Tiffany & Co. 18k Gold Garnet Citrine Drop Earrings
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
These exquisite drop earrings from Tiffany & Co., crafted in 18k yellow gold. Each earring features a vibrant bezel-set round citrine above a richly hued round garnet, creating a s...
Citrine, Garnet, Gold, 18k Gold
18K White Gold Pear Rose-Cut Diamond Drop Earrings – 1.02 Carats Total
Located in Hong Kong, HK
These elegant drop earrings blend timeless sparkle with modern minimalism. Crafted in 18 karat white gold, each earring features two slender bars—one at the front and one at the back...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Diamond Drop Earrings in Engraved 18k White Gold, .56 Carat Total
By Sarosi By Timeless Gems
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These hand-engraved lever-back earrings are a real "go-to" style for both day and evening wear. They feature two round, brilliant cut diamonds of fine quality, having "G" color and "...
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
$5,233
H 2.68 in L 2.68 in
Long Architectural 18K Gold Citrine Briolette Diamond and Enamel Drop Earrings
Located in Buckingham , Buckinghamshire
An exceptional pair of contemporary 18 karat white gold drop earrings, designed with an elegant elongated silhouette and suspended with richly coloured faceted citrine briolettes. T...
Citrine, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Enamel
Fancy Long Diamond Citrine 18K Gold Drop Dangle Earrings
Located in Miami, FL
Estate Diamond Citrine 18K Gold Three Drop Dangle Earrings Very Well made evening wear Art and Crafts Dressy Triangular 3 link drop Earrings crafted in 18K Yellow gold with Natural ...
Citrine, Diamond, 18k Gold
$9,510
Dm 0.75 in L 1.5 in
Heart Shape Fancy Cut Cabochon Amethyst Drop 18k Earrings Diamonds & Citrines
Located in Old Tappan, NJ
18K yellow gold earrings with two fancy cut heart cabochon amethysts, two round cabochon citrines and 40 round pavé set diamonds 0.59 carat (G/H color, VS2/S...
Amethyst, Citrine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Blue Zircon and Diamond Drop Earrings in 18K Yellow Gold, 9.64 Carats Total
By Sarosi By Timeless Gems
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These beautiful drop earrings feature a gorgeous pair of gem-quality blue zircons set with diamonds in 18k yellow gold. It is rare to find a matched pair of large, round blue zircons...
Diamond, White Diamond, Zircon, Blue Zircon, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Hand Carved "Sunburst" Citrine and Diamond Drop Earrings in 18k Yellow Gold
By Sarosi By Timeless Gems
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These wonderfully original earrings feature bright, golden citrine gems that have been hand carved with cheerful sunbursts and set in 18k yellow gold with diamond accents. The 14mm r...
Citrine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Contemporary 18K Yellow Gold Citrine Diamond Pavé Drop Earrings, USA
Located in New York, NY
The fluid elegance of these Contemporary Citrine Diamond Pavé Drop Earrings, made in the 21st century, brings to mind the ornamental style that flourished be...
Citrine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Yellow Sapphire Drop Earrings in 18K White and Yellow Gold, 1.79 Carat Total
By Sarosi By Timeless Gems
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These spectacular yellow sapphire drop earrings were hand crafted in 18k white and yellow gold by our Master Jewelers in Los Angeles and feature a beautifully matched pair of deep le...
Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Kurt Wayne 18K Gold Diamond Earrings
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Flushing, NY
Kurt Wayne 18K Gold Diamond Earrings Marked: KW 18 Approximate Dimensions: 2.8 cm (Length) 2 cm (Width) Approx. 5.80 carats (Diamond) 25.8 grams in weight.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Sold
H 1 in W 1 in D 0.5 in L 1.75 in
Kurt Wayne 14 Karat White Gold, Pearl Cluster and Diamond Earrings
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A stunning pair of pearl cluster and pendant drop earrings by Kurt Wayne. Each earring comprised of 14-Karat white gold, diamonds and pearls in a cluster and each supporting a large baroque pearl...
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
Kurt Wayne Oval Emerald Diamond Gold Omega Clip/Post Back Earrings
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Chevy Chase, MD
These magnificent emerald and diamond earrings are set in a handcrafted Kurt Wayne 18kt yellow gold omega clip/post back mountings. Stamped "KW". The emeralds have an estimated tot...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold