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.
Vintage Kurt Wayne 2.27 Carat Emerald & Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Five-Stone Ring
By Kurt Wayne
Located in New York, NY
This stunning Kurt Wayne 2.27 Carat Step Cut Emerald Ring is a captivating blend of bold design and elegant craftsmanship. The centerpiece is a striking 2.27 carat step-cut emerald, ...
Emerald, 18k 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
Kurt Wayne 18k Gold 3.12ct AGL Emerald Cut Blue Sapphire & Round Diamond Ring
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Montclair, NJ
This breathtaking sapphire and diamond ring is designed by Kurt Wayne and crafted in solid 18k white gold. It features a gorgeous, AGL certified, genuine sapphire solitaire. The cut-...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
$9,600Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Blue Sapphire Round Diamond 18 Carat Yellow Gold Ring
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Chicago, IL
2.75 ct Total Weight Round Cut Diamond & Blue Sapphire Band / Ring 18K Yellow Gold. The ring weighs 9.5 grams, size 9, there are 9 Natural Custom Cut Baguette Sapphires
Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, White Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1.30 Carat Round Blue Sapphire Half Bezel Solitaire Gold Ring
By Diamond Stars Jewelry, Inc.
Located in New York, NY
Solitaire Half Bezel Engagement Ring The ring is 14K White Gold The Blue Sapphire is a round 1.30 Carat Heated The ring is a size 7.00, siza...
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
$59,280Sale Price|24% Off
Tiffany & Co. 2.27 Carat Emerald Cut Diamond Soleste Halo Engagement Ring
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
A refined and iconic design from Tiffany & Co., this Soleste engagement ring showcases a beautifully proportioned 2.27 carat emerald cut diamond at its center, framed by a delica...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
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
$3,360Sale Price|20% Off
1 Carat Round Blue Sapphire & 1.65 Carat Diamond Cocktail Ring in 14 Karat Gold
Located in New York, NY
Approximately 1 Ct Round Round Blue Sapphire and Diamond Cocktail Ring in 14 Karat Yellow Gold Round Brilliant cut diamond and Baguette Shape diamond 14 Karat yellow Gold 6 Grams Ri...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$4,012Sale Price|25% Off
1.21 Carat Round Brilliant Diamond Solitaire Ring 18 Karat Yellow Gold
Located in BEVERLY HILLS, CA
Classic solitaire diamond engagement ring with hidden halo. 1.43 carats total diamond weight. 1.21 carat round brilliant diamond, approximately I-K color grade and SI clarity grade. ...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$4,293Sale Price|25% Off
1.03 Carat Round Brilliant Diamond Ring 18 Karat Yellow Gold
Located in BEVERLY HILLS, CA
Classic solitaire diamond engagement ring with diamonds down the shank. 1.21 carats total diamond weight. 1.03 carat round brilliant diamond, approximately K/L color grade and SI2 cl...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$5,230Sale Price|25% Off
EGL Certified 1.20 Carat Round Brilliant Diamond Ring 18 Karat Yellow Gold
Located in BEVERLY HILLS, CA
Classic solitaire diamond engagement ring with diamonds down the shank, EGL certified. 1.38 carats total diamond weight. 1.20 carat round brilliant diamond, EGL certified J color gra...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Blue Sapphire and Diamond Engagement Ring Gold
By Emeralds Maravellous
Located in US
This is a lovely vintage 1 carat royal blue sapphire and diamond 14K white gold engagement ring. It has a great design and holds Approx. 0.65 carat, royal blue sapphire round cut in the center and four round brilliant cut diamonds G-H/SI1, totaling approx weight .35 carat. The size 7 ring...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, White Gold
AGL Certified 10.25 Ct Colombian Emerald & Diamond 18 Kt Gold Two-Tone Ring
Located in New York, NY
AGL Certified 10.25 Carat Emerald Cut Colombian Emerald Diamond 18 Karat White gold Ring AGL Report # 1102590 Measurements 13.67x13.62x9.28 Estate piece Natural Emerald with no ...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Unheated 10.80 Carat Periwinkle Blue Sapphire Diamond 18K Gold Ring
By Emeralds Maravellous
Located in US
Natural Certified Unheated Blue Sapphire and Diamond Cocktail Engagement Ring Centering a big 9.94 Carat Natural Ceylon Sapphire, "sparkling Violet blue" with no evidence of thermal...
Blue Sapphire, White Diamond, Sapphire, Diamond, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k ...
$6,660Sale Price|25% Off
1.52 Carat Round Brilliant Diamond Solitaire Ring 18 Karat Yellow Gold
Located in BEVERLY HILLS, CA
Classic solitaire diamond engagement ring with hidden halo. 1.65 carats total diamond weight. 1.52 carat round brilliant diamond, approximately J color grade and SI2 clarity grade. C...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$836Sale Price / item|20% Off
Square Cut Emerald and Round Brilliant Diamond Engagement Ring in 18K White Gold
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Product Specifications: - 4x4mm 0.20ct Natural Emerald at the center - 18 Round Brilliant cut Diamonds, total carat around 0.18ct - D-F in color and VS in clarity, with Heart and Ar...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
1969 Kurt Wayne 1.60 CTW Ruby Emerald 18 Karat Yellow Gold Vintage Frog Ring
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a dimensional gold frog with grooved features and depicted climbing Accented by organically stippled texture skin and rubies bezel set down back Pear cut and transparent...
Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold