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.
$7,400 / set
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
Kurt Wayne Diamond Swirl Yellow Gold Clip Post Earrings
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Stamford, CT
Diamond clip post earrings. 36 Round brilliant cut diamonds set in 14k yellow gold. 36 round brilliant cut diamonds, approx. total weight .45ct F, VS clarity Top to bottom 19.7mm...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Kurt Wayne 18K Yellow Gold Pearl and Diamond Statement Earrings
By Kurt Wayne
Located in New York, NY
Elegant and impeccably crafted, these Kurt Wayne pearl and diamond earrings are a beautiful study in balance and refinement. Set in rich 18K yellow gold, each earring features a lumi...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
South Sea Golden Pearl 18k Gold Diamond White Yellow Cluster Earrings
Located in Great Neck, NY
An extraordinary pair of delightful Golden South Sea Pearl earrings, set in 18k Tri-color gold, this special piece is made with six large 10mm each High Luster Australian South Sea n...
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Wh...
$4,073 / set
W 0.43 in L 0.85 in
Antique 18k Yellow Gold Pearl and 0.82ct Diamond Earrings, Circa 1900
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive pair of antique pearl, 0.82 carat diamond and 18k yellow gold earrings; part of our pearl jewellery collection. These stunning, fine and impressive a...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Giant 1950's 18K Yellow Gold Persian Turquoise Statement Earrings
Located in GOES, NL
A refined pair of rare and exceptionally large turquoise earrings from the 50's, crafted in 18kt yellow gold (750/1000). Each earring is set ...
Turquoise, 18k Gold
$1,965Sale Price / item|20% Off
Impressive Amethyst Diamond Yellow Gold Earrings
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Yellow Gold 14K Earrings (Matching Ring Available) Weight 3.48 gram Diamond 2-Кр57-0,03-4/6A Diamond 38-Round 57-0,11-4/6A Amerthys 2-4,08 2/1A With a heritage of ancient fine Swiss...
Amethyst, Diamond, 14k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels 18K Yellow Gold Swirl Lever-Back Earrings, France
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Houston, TX
Van Cleef & Arpels earrings in 18K yellow gold with a swirl pattern. These are for pierced ears with a lever back. Measure 1 inch long and 3/4 inches wide. Serial No. NY3K750-10.
18k Gold
18k Yellow Gold Garnet & Diamonds Nest Pendant and Earrings
By Rebecca Noff
Located in Toronto, ON
The Nest Collection is an ever evolving design. It's the version two of the nest, an elegant reminder of how interconnected we are and features rhodolite garnet gemstone at the cente...
Garnet, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
$3,040Sale Price|20% Off
W 0.37 in D 0.26 in L 0.71 in
Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti 18K Yellow Gold Bean Omega Clip and Post Earrings
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Designed by Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co., these iconic Bean earrings are crafted in solid 18 karat yellow gold with a high-polish finish. Made for pierced ears, each earring fe...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K White Gold Floral Leaf Green Onyx Diamond Earrings
Located in New York, NY
A striking pair of estate earrings crafted in luxurious 18K white gold, showcasing an elegant floral leaf-inspired design composed of richly polished green onyx, sparkling diamonds, ...
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold
Bellarri Multi Gemstone and Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Earrings
By Bellarri
Located in Chevy Chase, MD
These super bright and colorful earrings is amazing! Designed by Bellarri, these earrings contain pillow cut gemstones of Peridot, Amethyst, Blue Topaz, Citrine, Garnet and Tourmali...
Diamond, Multi-gemstone, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$3,779Sale Price / item|20% Off
Fine Jewellery Diamond Yellow Gold Earrings
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Yellow Gold 14K Earrings (Matching Ring Available) Weight 6.58 gram Diamond 87-Round 57-0,36-4/5A With a heritage of ancient fine Swiss jewelry traditions, NATKINA is a Geneva based...
Diamond, 14k Gold
$1,960Sale Price / item|20% Off
Classic Diamond Ruby Yellow Gold Earrings
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Earrings Yellow Gold 14 K (Matching Ring Available) Diamond 84-RND-0,25-G/VS1A Ruby 4-0,85ct Ruby 2-0,24ct Weight 2 grams With a heritage of ancient fine Swiss jewelry traditions,...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
$1,464Sale Price|24% Off
Impressive Fancy Yellow / Orange Sapphire Diamond Yellow Gold Earrings
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Earring Yellow Gold 14 K (Matching Ring Available) Diamond 2-RND-0,01-G/VS1A Orange Sapphire 8-1,82ct Yellow Sapphire 2-0,45ct Weight 2,52 grams With a heritage of ancient fine Sw...
Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Kurt Wayne Sapphire, Diamond and 18K Gold Earrings
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Breathtaking Kurt Wayne Pear Shape Sapphire and Diamond Earrings. The sapphires are G.I.A certifed #6157973309 Sapphires Measure 11.50 x 8.10 x 6.76mm and approximately 9.0ct in we...
Blue Sapphire, White Diamond, 18k Gold
Kurt Wayne Mabe Pearl Diamond Yellow Gold Earrings
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Stamford, CT
Early 1990 top quality cultured Mabe pearl hinged clip back earrings from Kurt Wayne, one of the world’s finest jewelry manufacturers. Exceptional design, manufacturing and jewels. K...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold