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 1.87 ct Round Diamond Compass Set Eternity Band in 18K Yellow Gold
By Kurt Wayne
Located in New York, NY
This elegant eternity band by Kurt Wayne is a stunning complement to any engagement ring or is beautiful worn on its own. The band contains 23 2.7mm round diamonds, G/H color and VS...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Kurt Wayne 18 KT White Gold Diamond Band Ring
By Kurt Wayne
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite preowned diamond band by Kurt Wayne is crafted in luxurious 18kt white gold, embodying timeless elegance and sophistication. The band is adorned with 50 sparkling prin...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Kurt Wayne .63 Carat Diamond Yellow Gold Pave Band Ring
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Stamford, CT
Kurt Wayne pave diamond swirl ring circa 1990. 49 mixed sized diamonds set in 18k yellow gold. 49 mixed size round diamonds, G-H VS-SI approx. .63cts Size 6 and sizable 18k yellow...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2.00 Carat White Diamond Pave Ring in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By FERRUCCI
Located in New York, NY
FERRUCCI diamond pave' band, a wrap of sparkling white diamonds, G color, VS/SI+ clarity, for an approximate total carat weight of 2.00 + carat, hand made in New York City with the b...
White Diamond, 18k Gold
4.70 Carat Wide White Diamond Pave Ring in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By FERRUCCI
Located in New York, NY
Wide diamond pave' ring, with a slightly dome feeling, a wrap of sparkling white diamonds, G color, VS clarity, for an approximate total carat weight of 4.70 carats, hand made in New...
White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1.3 Carat Emeralds Black diamonds Pavé Eternity Ring in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By FERRUCCI
Located in New York, NY
Green emerald and Black diamonds eternity ring, an approximate emeralds carat weight of 0.72 carat and approximate black diamonds carat we...
Emerald, Black Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$596Sale Price / item|20% Off
18kt Solid White Gold Stackable Diamond Eternity Engagement Band Ring
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Stackable Diamond Eternity Engagement Band Ring in 18K Gold symbolizes the everlasting love between a couple. It shows the infinite love you have for your partner. The round shape re...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Marquise Diamond Round Diamonds Half Eternity Wedding Band in 18K Yellow Gold
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Alternating round and marquise diamond create an alluring pattern across the top of this elegant and distinctive ring. Product Specifications: - 14 Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds wit...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
18kt Yellow Gold and Diamond 0.63ct Dome Ring
Located in New York, NY
A classic dome style 18 karat yellow gold high polished dome ring. The center of the ring has a single row of round brilliant diamonds. Total diamond weight 0.63 carats Ring size 7.5...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18k Yellow Gold Scroll Patterned Diamond Eternity Band Ring
Located in Fairfield, CT
18k yellow gold ring. This magnificent yellow gold chunky ring is a three row eternity band, set with a center row of round faceted diamonds approximately 0.20 TCW, framed by scroll ...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Georgios Collections 18 Karat Yellow Gold Australian Opal Diamond Band Ring
By Georgios Collections Inc
Located in Astoria, NY
This S.Georgios designer 18 Karat Yellow Gold Natural Australian Opal ring is all custom made by hand and features a stunning cabochon cut...
Diamond, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Opal, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citr...
Chevron Bubble Diamond Band .34ct in 18k Yellow Gold Round Bezel Diamond Ring
By Five Star Jewelry
Located in Austin, TX
This lovely chevron bubble ring gives the illusion of an eternity ring. The bezel diamonds go 3/4 around the ring but the ring has a small sizing bar without diamonds leaving room fo...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 18kt Yellow Gold Band Ring with Diamonds
Located in Esch sur Alzette, Esch-sur-Alzette
Band Width: ca. 6 mm A vintage 18kt yellow gold band ring from the Netherlands, meticulously handcrafted and distinguished by its elegant satin finish, which lends the gold a soft, ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
$5,000 / item
Round Diamond Eternity Band in 18K White Gold
By Yessayan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Round Diamond Eternity Band in 18K White Gold 2.94 Cts of Diamonds, G-H Color, VS-SI Clarity 3.6 Grams of 18K White Gold No two products are exactly same, therefore weights are ap...
Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
2.20 Carat Emeralds Pavé Eternity Ring in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By FERRUCCI
Located in New York, NY
FERRUCCI green emerald eternity ring, an approximate total carat weight of 2.20 carat, hand made in New York City with the best Italian cr...
Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970's Kurt Wayne 2.75 Carats Sapphire Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Band Ring
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Bombè band ring centers a central channel of rectangular cut sapphires. Graduating in size while weighing in total approximately 1.50 carats. Very well matched in saturated royal blu...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow ...
Kurt Wayne Gold and Diamond Band Ring
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An elegant 18 carat yellow gold band ring with baguette cut diamonds (6 x 0.15 and 2 x 0.11, so app. 1.12 carat in total F-G, VS), signed and numbered Kurt Wayne 44605, circa 1960. ...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Emeralds Baguette Diamonds Yellow Gold Ring
By Kurt Wayne
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Emerald diamond and yellow gold ring, 1990s. * SPECIFICATIONS: GEMSTONES: three oval-shaped emeralds together weighing approximately 1.00 carat. DIAMONDS: two rectangular baguet...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Kurt Wayne Large Frog Ring Vintage 18 Karat Yellow Gold Green Eyes Jewelry
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed Kurt Wayne Frog ring (circa 1980s) crafted in 18 karat yellow gold. Cabochon cut green chalcedony is set into the eyes (estimated at ...
Chalcedony, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Kurt Wayne Vintage 4.87 Carat Diamond 18 Karat Gold Bombay Band Ring, circa 1970
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Shared prong bombay style ring set throughout with round brilliant cut diamonds weighing approximately 4.87 carats total, G to I color and VS clarity Diamond field terminates at sho...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Kurt Wayne Emerald Diamond Gold Band Ring
By Kurt Wayne
Located in New York, NY
This lovely 18kt yellow gold Kurt Wayne ring features both a brush and high polish finish with two rows of alternating princess cut green emeralds totaling 0.63cts and princess cut d...
Diamond, Emerald, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold