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.
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
Kurt Wayne Yellow Gold Mabe Pearl Clip Earrings
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Coral Gables, FL
18 Karat Yellow Gold Kurt Wayne Stud Earrings Featuring Two 15mm Mabe Pearls. Pierced Post With Omega Clip Back. Post Can Be Removed Upon Request. Finished Weight is 21.8 Grams.
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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
14K Yellow Gold Mabe Pearl Clip-on Earrings #16443
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage 14K Yellow Gold Mabe Pearl Clip-on Earrings These gorgeous clip-on earrings are crafted with meticulous detail from 14K yellow gold and feature 2 beautiful Mabe pearls! Pea...
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
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
$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
Stud Mabe Pearl Earrings in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Bloomington, MN
Stud Mabe Pearl Earrings in 18k Yellow Gold These classic stud earrings are crafted in 18k yellow gold and feature luminous mother-of-pearl mabe pearls, each securely bezel set to h...
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow 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
$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
$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
Mabe Pearl French Clip Gold Vintage Earrings
Located in Montreal, QC
Simply Beautiful! Round Mabe Pearl Earrings set in 14K Yellow Gold rims. Each pearl, measuring approx. 15mm and 20.5mm. French Clip-on backs. More Beautiful in Real time. Sure to be ...
Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Screwback Mabe Pearl Earrings in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Bloomington, MN
Screwback Mabe Pearl Earrings in 18k Yellow Gold These classic earrings are crafted in solid 18k yellow gold and feature luminous mabe pearls bezel set for a smooth, polished profil...
Pearl, 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
1950 Vintage Mabé Pearls Clip-On Earrings 14 Karat Yellow Gold
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This elegant and wearable pair of ear clips features wonderful and large mabé pearls. The pearls are set in 14 karat yellow gold and decorated with a twisted gold wire border.
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
18k Gold Stud Earrings Oval Stud Earrings Diamond Cluster Earrings
By Oshi Jewels
Located in Bangkok, TH
Dainty Stud Earrings in 18k Rose Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold. These Dainty Stud Earrings are made of 18k solid gold featuring shiny brilliant round cut natural diamonds set by mas...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Kurt Wayne Baguette Diamond Gold Stud Earrings
By Kurt Wayne
Located in New York, NY
These lovely earrings are part of the Kurt Wayne collection. This unique alternative to the basic round brilliant stud features 1.76ctw of straight baguette diamonds bezel set into h...
Diamond, White Diamond, 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
18K and Diamond Button Earrings by Kurt Wayne
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Chicago, IL
18K Yellow Gold and Diamond Pave Button Earrings by Kurt Wayne, signed and numbered, Diamond Total 1.70 Carat.
Diamond, 18k Gold