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 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
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
Diamonds, Rubys, Silver & 18K Gold Butterfly Necklace
By Pradera Irama
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Diamonds, Ruby, Silver & 18K Gold Butterfly Necklace MATERIALS ◘ Necklace Weight: 0.62 grams ◘ Silver Weight: 15.60 grams ◘ Gold Weight:...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Silver
$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
Marchisio 18K Two-Tone Gold Diamond Choker Necklace
By Marchisio
Located in Monte Carlo, MC
18 Karat Two-Tone Gold Diamond Choker Necklace by Marchisio, Italian Jewellers Since 1859 Offered by Claris-A, this 18 karat two-tone gold choker necklace was handcrafted in the wor...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, 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
Antora Tubogas Juste un Clou 18k yellow Gold and Diamonds chocker Necklace
By Antora
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Flexible and adaptable necklace with tubogas craftmanship that fits medium to large sizes. Available in three colours of gold, yellow, white and rose. 9,70gr and 0.30Carat Diamonds T...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Black Enamel and Diamond Collar Necklace in 18K Yellow Gold
Located in Old Tappan, NJ
Pre owned vintage 18K yellow gold collar necklace with black enamel and diamonds. The heavy weight hollow collar is hinged on the sides and slightly ova...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Chanel 18K Yellow Gold Multicolor Gemstone and Diamond Collar Necklace
By Chanel
Located in New York, NY
Stunning multicolor gemstone necklace crafted in 18K yellow gold by Chanel. Fits like a collar around your neck making a glamorous stateme...
Amethyst, Diamond, Peridot, Yellow Gold
1.52 Carat Natural Diamond Oval Link Necklace 14 Karat White Gold
Located in New York, NY
100% Natural Diamonds, Not Enhanced in any way Round Cut Diamond Necklace 1.52CT G-H SI 14K White Gold Pave style 29.3 gram 7/16 inch in width 80 Diamonds N5616W ALL OUR ITEMS...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Antora Tubogas 18k yellow Gold chocker Necklace
By Antora
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Flexible and adaptable necklace with tubogas craftmanship that fits medium to large sizes. Available in three colours of gold, yellow, white and rose. Gold weight 23,50gr Titanium Co...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,412Sale Price|20% Off
18K Yellow Gold Diamond Multi Star Necklace, 0.57ct
Located in Houston, TX
This alternating star collar necklace is made in 18K yellow gold. It features 180 round cut diamonds weighing 0.57 carats. Necklace has a color grade (H) and clarity grade (SI2). All...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tiffany & Co. 18k Yellow Gold Oval Link Necklace
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
Beautiful Tiffany & Co. oval link solid 22 inch long necklace made in Germany. Included with a Tiffany black suede folder case, 18k yello...
Gold, 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 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 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