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.
$64,000Sale Price|20% Off
Kurt Wayne 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Necklace 22 Carats
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Chicago, IL
A spectacular and highly collectible diamond necklace by renowned designer Kurt Wayne, crafted in luxurious 18K yellow gold and set with over 22 carats of beautifully matched diamond...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Kurt Wayne 18.50cts Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Oval Link Celebrity Necklace
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Miami, FL
This high polish oversized Kurt Wayne diamond necklace is Crafted in solid hefty 18K yellow gold with a polished finish, with a crossover f...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Kurt Wayne 18 Karat Gold, Pink Sapphire, Diamond and Onyx Choker/Collar Necklace
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Kurt Wayne pave set pink sapphire and diamond choker collar style necklace with onyx accents set in 18k yellow gold. This necklace contains 884 round pink sapphires weighing approxi...
Diamond, Onyx, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Kurt Wayne Umbrella Brooch in 18k Yellow Gold with Diamonds, 1974
By Kurt Wayne
Located in North Miami, FL
Kurt Wayne Umbrella Brooch in 18k Yellow Gold with Diamonds, 1974 Description: This vintage Kurt Wayne Umbrella brooch, created in 1974, is a rare example of the designer’s playful ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$840Sale Price|20% Off
Kurt Wayne Starburst Diamond Pendant in 14K Yellow Gold
By Kurt Wayne
Located in New York, NY
This charming and unique piece by Kurt Wayne features a 0.10ct round diamond and nine straight baguettes that form a graceful asymmetrical starburst design. The setting and chain are...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Kurt Wayne Diamond Gold Swirl Pin/Pendant
By Kurt Wayne
Located in New York, NY
Made of 14k white gold, this pin features sparkling round cut diamonds weighing approximately 2.60ct graded G-H color with VS clarity. The pin can also be worn as a pendant. The chai...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
$2,960Sale Price|20% Off
Kurt Wayne Oval Emerald Pendant with Diamond Halo in 18K Yellow Gold
By Kurt Wayne
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful pendant by Kurt Wayne features a rich green 0.56 carat oval shaped emerald. The center gemstone is framed by 0.35 carats of round diamonds. The decadent green is the p...
Emerald, Yellow Gold
$6,799
W 1.75 in L 1.75 in
Vintage French Snowflake 18K Rose Gold This exquisite Vintag Cluster Diamond Pin
Located in Miami, FL
This exquisite Vintage High Quality made Diamond Snowfleks Brooch pin is made of solid 18K Rose gold. This stunning 1960's pin is set with round-cut diamonds weighing approximately 2...
Diamond, Rose Gold
2.36 Carat Diamond Collar Necklace 18K Yellow Gold, Adjustable Length
Located in Old Tappan, NJ
Simple, clean and timeless. This 18K yellow gold collar necklace is set with round brilliant-cut diamonds weighing a total of 2.36 cara...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,250
W 1.38 in L 1.75 in
Art Deco Hand Carved Portrait Shell Cameo Gold Pin Pendant Estate Fine Jewelry
Located in Montreal, QC
Beautiful Cameo Pin depicting a Beautiful Young Woman posing a striking a Romantic pose. The Hand Carved oval Cameo is securely set in a Handmade 14K yellow Gold bezel and and filigr...
14k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Diamond Brooch, Enhancer, Pendant 18 Karat Gold, in Floral Design
Located in Berlin, DE
Diamond Brooch, 18 Karat Gold, in floral design. Brooch can also be worn as a pendant. The diamonds are of very good quality, color and purity.
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$5,478Sale Price|20% Off
18K Yellow Gold Pave' Diamond Paper Clip Necklace, 2.56ct.
Located in Houston, TX
This paperclip necklace is made in 18K yellow gold. It features 442 round cut diamonds weighing 2.56 carats combined. Necklace has a color grade (H) and clarity grade (SI2). All ston...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique diamond pearl 18k yellow gold enamel pendant brooch watch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This antique 1890s pendant brooch watch combines diamonds, seed pearls, and intricate green enamel, crafted in 18k yellow gold for timeless elegance. Manual watch Center stone: 3 ol...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Pave Set Diamond Heart Pin Pendant
Located in Narberth, PA
An absolutely gorgeous Vintage diamond heart pin/pendant from the 1960's! This slightly convex shaped heart is made of 14kt white gold and encrusted ...
Diamond, 14k Gold
6.82 Carat Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Necklace
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An elegant and modern necklace featuring 6.82 carats of round brilliant-cut diamonds. Each diamond is bezel-set in yellow gold frames that link with one another. A modern take on the...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Diamonds and Pink Sapphires Necklace including Circular Designs 18K Gold Choker
Located in Aventura, FL
Diamonds and Pink Sapphires Necklace including Circular Designs 18K White Italy Gold Details: Total Weight: 25.3g Diamond Weight:...
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
.12 Carat Diamond Pearl Rose Gold Star Brooch Pendant
Located in Stamford, CT
Turn of the century, Antique cushion cut diamond natural pearl brooch pendant. 1 old mine cut center diamond set in 14k rose gold with 66 white and gray accent pearls. circa 1900's ...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Yellow Gold Oval Link Necklace
Located in Stamford, CT
Open oval 14k yellow gold link long chain, with gold ball ends. Made in Italy. 14k yellow gold Stamped: 14k Italy 17.1 grams Total length: 24 Inches Width: 5.4- 6.1mm Thickness/d...
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Diamond Starburst Pendant 14k Solid Gold Star Charm Pendant Birthday Gift Charm
Located in Chicago, IL
Diamond Starburst Pendant 14k Solid Gold Star Charm Pendant Birthday Gift Charm Base Metal Yellow Gold, 14k Metal Yellow Gold Size 10x10mm Approx Main Stone Diamond Total Carat Weig...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Kurt Wayne 1990's Diamond Rubellite Tourmaline 18 Karat White Gold Heart Necklae
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Featuring a rose cut heart shaped rubellite tourmaline weighing 8.5 carats total. Transparent pinkish red in color with medium saturation and natural in...
Diamond, White Diamond, Rubelite, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, White Gold
Kurt Wayne 1990's Diamond Rubellite Tourmaline 18 Karat White Gold Heart Necklae
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Featuring a rose cut heart shaped rubellite tourmaline weighing 8.5 carats total. Transparent pinkish red in color with medium saturation and natural in...
Diamond, White Diamond, Rubelite, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, White Gold
Kurt Wayne 60.08 Carat Diamond Necklace and Bracelet Set
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Miami, FL
Spectacular Kurt Wayne necklace and bracelet set crafted in 18 karat yellow gold, featuring round brilliant and baguette cut diamonds weighing approximately 60.08 carats total, F-G c...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Kurt Wayne Diamond Necklace 34CTW
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Dallas, TX
Kurt Wayne diamond necklace in 18K yellow gold. The necklace feature 34 carat total weight of brilliant cut round diamonds. Stamped 10832 7...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Kurt Wayne Diamond South Sea Pearls 18K Gold Choker Necklace
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Miami, FL
980'S Kurt Wayne Diamond South Sea Pearls 18K Gold Choker Necklace This Elegant Diamond and Grey south sea Pearls Necklace is the perfect gift for a...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Kurt Wayne 18 Karat Yellow Gold Pave Diamond Heart Pendant Necklace
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Kurt Wayne 18K Yellow Gold Pave Diamond Heart Pendant Necklace This sparkling diamond heart pendant necklace is set in 18K Yell...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Kurt Wayne Diamond Gold Shell Brooch Pin and Necklace
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Miami, FL
This exquisite and stunning shell necklace is finely crafted by Kurt Wayne in solid 18K yellow gold. The shell pendant is covered in some 291 genuine round cut diamonds approx. 11.00...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Kurt Wayne South Sea Pearl Diamond gold Necklace
By Kurt Wayne
Located in New York, NY
This captivating 18kt yellow gold wheat chain necklace is part of the Kurt Wayne collection. It features two diamond accented oval shaped gold beads joined by a round brilliant diamo...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Kurt Wayne Tourmaline & Diamond Pendant
By Kurt Wayne
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful 18kt yellow gold Kurt Wayne signed pendant features a stunning deep bluish green step cut tourmaline weighing 7.22cts with a row of 7 graduating prong-set round brilli...
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Kurt Wayne Pearl Diamond Gold Necklace
By Kurt Wayne
Located in New York, NY
This classic 14kt yellow gold Kurt Wayne pendant features an 11.0mm creamy white pearl drop and a bail encrusted with 0.17ctw of pave set round brilliant diamonds suspended from a 16...
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
Kurt Wayne Emerald Diamond Gold Necklace
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Chevy Chase, MD
A gorgeous emerald and diamond necklace designed by Kurt Wayne. There are three round cut emeralds with an estimated total weight of 1.00cts...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Kurt Wayne Princess Diamond Platinum Cross Pendant
By Kurt Wayne
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful necklace is part of the Kurt Wayne collection. This heavyweight platinum cross pendant features rows of channel set princess cut di...
Diamond, Platinum