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 Karat Gold, Ruby, and Diamond Cocktail Ring
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A wonderful cocktail ring by Kurt Wayne. In 18K yellow gold with a half-twist to the shank. The shank supports a gallery with a central pear-cut ruby and 10 small round cut diamonds. A high-level ring from the famous New York jewelry designer...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
Kurt Wayne, 18K Yellow Gold and Diamond Ring
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Chicago, IL
This gorgeous cluster ring by Kurt Wayne contains 22 round brilliant cut and 28 straight and tapered baguette cut diamonds weighing approximately 3.00 carats total. This ring is eleg...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
$2,812Sale Price|20% Off
Turquoise, Ruby, and Diamond Cluster Ring 18 Karat White Gold
By Alexander Beverly Hills
Located in BEVERLY HILLS, CA
Exquisite and statement turquoise, ruby, and diamond ring. Center Arizona turquoise surrounded by 4.20ct of round rubies heat and 0.60ct of round brilliant diamonds. 4.80ct total ge...
Diamond, Ruby, Turquoise, 18k Gold, White 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
18K Yellow Gold Kurt Wayne Turquoise and Diamond Ring
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1990s Item Details: Ring Size: 5.5 (Sizable) Metal Type: 18K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 9.5 grams Diamond Details: .15ct total weight, F-G Color, VS Clarity, ...
Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
18k Yellow Gold Overlapping Open Diamond Ring
Located in Fairfield, CT
A super chic 18K yellow gold ring. Interwoven and over lapping trails of diamonds create an eye-catching and brilliant display. The diamonds are approximately 1.2 TCW. Ring size 7.5....
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18k Yellow Gold Diamond Oval Cluster Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
This beautiful ring is made of 4 larger diamonds totaling 0.41 carats and 45 smaller diamonds totaling 0.61 carats to make a cluster of over 1 carat. The diamonds are VS2, G color an...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat Natural Fancy Color Diamond Ruby Cocktail Cluster Ring
Located in New York, NY
Sparkling Open Gilt Fancy color Oval cut Diamond ring. Natural Fancy Light Brown color Center diamond: .55ct. Oval Brilliant Cut 6.4 X 4.3mm Vs-...
Diamond, Brown Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
$2,156Sale Price / item|20% Off
Vivid Oval Cut Ruby and Diamond Cocktail Ring in 18K Yellow Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Ruby diamond bold cocktail band ring in 18K gold which perfectly goes with your personality and also helps you to improve your energy and sensuality. This gorgeous ring is a perfect ...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
$5,740Sale Price|30% Off
4.27Ct Ruby Diamond Cocktail Ring in 18 Karat Rose Gold
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Behold the majesty of this exquisite cocktail ring, a true testament to masterful artistry and design. At its heart lies a mesmerizing 4.27-carat ruby, its deep red hue symbolic of p...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage Kurt Wayne 11.42 Carat Oval Rhodolite and Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Ring
By Kurt Wayne
Located in New York, NY
This striking cocktail ring is a bold celebration of color and elegance. Crafted in 18K yellow gold, it features an impressive 11.42 carat oval rhodolite garnet with a rich, raspberr...
Diamond, Garnet, Rhodolite, 18k Gold
Kurt Wayne 18k Yellow Gold 2.50 Carat Diamond Love Ring
By Kurt Wayne
Located in New York, NY
This Kurt Wayne cocktail ring is a striking example of mid-century design and craftsmanship. Created in platinum and 18K yellow gold, the piece spells out the word “Love” in sculpt...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum
A Natural Pearl Diamond And 18K Yellow Gold Ring Circa 1910
Located in Firenze, IT
Marquise pearl button ring. It features a large colored pearl button. Set in 18K yellow gold with old european-cut and rose-cut diamonds. Gross weight: 5.08 g. Size : 7 1/4 Pearl dim...
Natural Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$880Sale Price|20% Off
18k Yellow Gold Oval Classic Peridot And Diamond Ring
Located in Fairfield, CT
18k yellow gold ring. This classic yellow gold ring has an oval faceted, green peridot center, approximately 1.39 CTS and flanked by a cluster of three round faceted diamonds, approx...
Diamond, White Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
KURT WAYNE Sapphire Diamond Ring
By Kurt Wayne
Located in New York, NY
An 18 karat yellow gold, sapphire and diamond ring, Kurt Wayne. Designed as a serpentine across the finger set with 12 rectangular faceted sapphires highlighted at the opposing oute...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Kurt Wayne Diamond Yellow Gold Cluster Ring
By Kurt Wayne
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Kurt Wayne diamond cluster yellow gold cocktail ring, 1970s. ABOUT THIS ITEM: This Kurt Wayne Diamond Cluster Yellow Gold Ring is a stunning piece of jewelry that is sure to turn h...
Diamond, 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
Designer Kurt Wayne 5.00 Carat Round Waterfall Diamond Ring 14 Karat Gold
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Estate designer Kurt Wayne 5.00 carat round waterfall diamond ring in 14K white gold. Showcasing 16 round brilliant cut prong set diamonds weighing a combined total of 5.00 carats. D...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold