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 Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Bypass Oval Clip On Earrings
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Miami, FL
These Exquisite Kurt Wayne earrings are the perfect adjectives to describe thises pieces and their wearer. These Kurt Wayne 1980's Earrings are crafted in Solid 18K Yellow Gold, w...
Diamond, Yellow 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
$3,200Sale Price|20% Off
Kurt Wayne Platinum and Diamond Earrings
By Kurt Wayne
Located in New York, NY
Charming Earrings crafted in Platinum and featuring Round Brilliant Diamonds for a total weight of 0.75 Carat. Those earrings have an Omega Post. Type: Earrings Creator : Kurt Way...
Diamond, Platinum
Stylized 18k Yellow Gold Horseshoe Clip On Earrings, Rubies Sapphires & Diamonds
Located in Old Tappan, NJ
Preowned 18K yellow gold ruby, sapphire and diamond earrings. Each earring has one bezel set oval cabochon cut ruby approximately 5.3 x 4.5 millimeters. The rubies are deep pinkish r...
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow 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
$1,963Sale 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
$889Sale Price / item|23% Off
W 0.32 in L 0.4 in
1.7 Ct Oval Cut Ruby Stud Earrings with Diamonds Studded in 18K Yellow Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Studs create a subtle beauty while showcasing the colors of the natural precious gemstones and illuminating diamonds making a statement. Ruby with diamonds stud earrings in 18K gold....
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Estate Platinum Cultured South Sea Pearl and Diamond Earrings
Located in Houston, TX
Platinum South Sea pearl and diamond drop earrings. The two South Sea pearls measure 11.5mm. There are round, marquise and baguette diamonds that total 5.50 carats; G-I color and V...
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
$6,293Sale Price / item|22% Off
W 0.75 in L 0.75 in
18K Gold 2.87 Ct Emerald and Diamond Cluster Clip on Stud Earrings for Wedding
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Earrings create a subtle beauty while showcasing the colors of the natural precious gemstones and illuminating diamonds making a statement. Octagon and square cut Emerald and Diamon...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
$23,040Sale Price|20% Off
Tiffany & Co. Red Enamel Diamond Banana Clip-On 18 Karat Yellow Gold Earrings
By Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Tiffany & Co. Red Enamel Diamond Banana Clip On 18k Yellow Gold Earrings SCHLUMBERGER 18K GOLD RED ENAMEL DIAMOND EARRINGS The Banana earrings represent an iconic Schlumberger desi...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Enamel
$5,400Sale Price|25% Off
Ruby & Diamond Earrings Studded in 18k Yellow Gold
By GEM PLAZA
Located in Jaipur, Rajasthan
Its an elegant & modern style Ruby & diamond earrings studded in 18k Yellow gold features 30 pieces of Ruby weight 3.80 carat with 38 pieces of diamonds weight 1.27 carat, this enti...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$23,040Sale Price|20% Off
Tiffany & Co. Blue Enamel Diamond Banana Clip-On 18 Karat Yellow Gold Earrings
By Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Tiffany & Co. Blue Enamel Diamond Banana Clip On 18k Yellow Gold Earrings SCHLUMBERGER 18K GOLD BLUE ENAMEL DIAMOND EARRINGS The Banana earrings represent an iconic Schlumberger de...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Vintage Platinum 8.00 Carat Diamond and Coral Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Created in platinum, these striking earrings date to the 1960s and feature an elegant arrangement of pear-shaped, marquise-cut, and round diamonds. At the center of each earring si...
Coral, Diamond, Platinum
Harry Winston, Platinum and Diamond Pendant Earrings
By Harry Winston
Located in New York, NY
Platinum And Diamond Pendant Earrings By Harry Winston. Set With Two Pear-Shaped Diamonds 5.56ct, D- VS2 GIA # XXXXXX ) 5.05ct, D-VS2 (GIA # XXXXXX) Suspended By Clusters Of 12 Pe...
Diamond, Platinum
$2,817Sale Price / item|20% Off
Rare Tsavorite Chrysolite Diamond Yellow Gold Earrings
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Yellow Gold 14K Earrings (Matching Ring Available) Weight 5.44 gram Diamond 16-Round 57-0,06-4/6A Tsavorite 48-Round-0,39 2/2C Chrysolite 2--6,68 1/1A With a heritage of ancient fi...
Diamond, Tsavorite, 14k Gold
Kurt Wayne Diamond Gold Earrings
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Darnestown, MD
Stunning irregular V shaped diamond earrings by Kurt Wayne. The diamonds are set on multi levels as are the gold spokes terminating in balls around them. There are 43 diamonds weigh...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Kurt Wayne Diamond Blossom Gold Earrings
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A spectacular pair of diamond gold earrings by Kurt Wayne, known for his eye-catching designs. These earrings feature 5.00 carats of brilliant VS quality round cut diamonds. This e...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow 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
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
Kurt Wayne Blue Sapphire Diamond "Halo" Earrings
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Designed by and signed "Kurt Wayne" Blue Sapphire and Diamond "Halo" Earrings. An unparalleled craftsman Kurt Wayne started his life as an orphan in Vienna, Austria and grew his car...
Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold