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 3.17 Carat Amethyst Cabochon 18K White Gold Ring
By Kurt Wayne
Located in New York, NY
This elegant vintage ring by Kurt Wayne is a timeless celebration of color and craftsmanship. At its center is a 3.17 carat cabochon amethyst, set in a clean and modern bezel that le...
Amethyst, 18k Gold
$6,312Sale Price|29% Off
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
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Amethyst & Lilac Tanzanite Ring Set 18K Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Amethyst & Lilac Tanzanite Ring Set In 18K Gold & Silver Natural Marquee Shape Amethyst - 4.50 carats Natural Round Shape Lilac Tanzanite - 2.50 carats ...
Amethyst, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, Silver
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Amethyst & Lilac Tanzanite Ring Set 18K Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Amethyst & Lilac Tanzanite Ring Set In 18K Gold & Silver Natural Marquee Shape Amethyst - 4.50 carats Natural Round Shape Lilac Tanzanite - 2.50 carats ...
Amethyst, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, Silver
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
$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
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
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
Amethyst Ring set in 18K Rose Gold Settings
Located in Bangkok, TH
Amethyst 13.24 carats Ring set in 18K Rose Gold Settings Width: 2.0 cm Length: 2.0 cm Ring Size: 54 Total Weight: 16.63 grams "We first opened doors in 1980 when it was then situ...
Amethyst, 18k Gold, Rose 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