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
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
$1,016Sale Price / item|20% 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
$6,293Sale Price / item|30% 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
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
Certified Yellow Diamond White Diamond 18K Gold Stud Earrings
By HYT Jewelry
Located in Hong Kong, HK
These unique flower shaped earrings feature natural Cushion-shape Yellow diamonds at the heart of their design. The rich colour of these diamonds is complimented perfectly by the del...
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White 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
$21,600Sale Price|25% 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
1.20 Carat Natural Colombian Emerald Oval Stud Earrings 18K Yellow Gold
By Emeralds Maravellous
Located in US
Classic everyday natural Colombian emerald oval stud earrings 18K yellow gold Primary Stones: 100% Natural Colombian Emerald Shape or Cut: Oval Cut Average Color/Clarity: Medium-L...
Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Chopard Happy Floating Diamonds Heart Clip On 18 Karat Yellow Gold Earrings
By Chopard
Located in New York, NY
Chopard Happy Floating Diamonds Heart Clip On 18 karat Yellow Gold Earrings Inspired by sparkling drops of water in a waterfall, Chopard’s ‘H...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
0.38ct Oval Yellow Diamond 18K Gold Stud Earrings by HYT Jewelry
By HYT Jewelry
Located in Hong Kong, HK
These intricate earrings feature lustrous oval-shaped Yellow diamonds with halos of sparkling yellow and white diamonds. Bold and striking, these earrings will add a touch of sophist...
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yell...
Vintage Kurt Wayne 18K Gold Diamond Button Earrings
Located in Houston, TX
18K yellow gold button-style diamond earrings marked "KW 750". There are a total of seventy-four (74) round diamonds totaling 3.70 carats; G-H color and VVS-VS clarity. Measure 5/8...
Diamond, 18k 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