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 .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
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
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
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
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
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...
2.20 Carat Emeralds Pavé Eternity Ring in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By FERRUCCI
Located in New York, NY
Green emerald eternity ring, an approximate total carat weight of 2.20 carat, hand made in New York City with the best Italian craftsmansh...
Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2.00 Carat Black Diamonds Pave Ring 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By FERRUCCI
Located in New York, NY
FERRUCCI diamond pave' band, a wrap of sparkling black diamonds for an approximate total carat weight of 2.00 carat, hand made in New York City with the best Italian craftsmanship, c...
Black Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier 5.50 Carat Pave Diamond Wave Ring in 18k White Gold
By Cartier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This Cartier wave ring features approximately 5.50 carats of round brilliant cut diamonds pave set in 18k white gold. Approximately 14mm wide Size...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2.3 Carat Emeralds Pavé Eternity Ring in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By FERRUCCI
Located in New York, NY
Green emerald eternity ring, an approximate total carat weight of 2.30 carat, hand made in New York City with the best Italian craftsmanship, conceived in 18k yellow gold. Classic, ...
Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Diamond Halo Pave Large Wide Eternity Cocktail Band 18 Karat White Gold Ring
By Galt & Bro. Jewelers
Located in Tysons, VA
3.00 cts Diamonds H Color, VS/SI Clarity Very Brilliant & Sparkly Diamonds 18K White Gold 9 mm width Size 6.5 -
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Kurt Wayne 18k Gold 2.25ctw Pave Round Brilliant Diamond Wide Domed Band Ring
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Montclair, NJ
This bold and fiery diamond band ring is well crafted from solid 18k yellow gold. It is completely drenched with approximately 2.25 carats of round brilliant cut diamonds that are pe...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rare Kurt Wayne 14kt Yellow Gold Diamond Cluster Dome Ring
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Beautiful ladies diamond dome ring designed by Kurt Wayne, this beautiful diamond ring is 14kt yellow gold diamond cluster dome ring contains...
Diamond, 14k Gold