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 0.79 Carat Emerald & Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Three-Stone Ring
By Kurt Wayne
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite Kurt Wayne 0.79 Carat Oval Emerald and Diamond Three-Stone Ring is a timeless blend of elegance and artistry. At its center is a vibrant 0.79 carat oval emerald, radia...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
$1,364Sale Price / item|20% Off
Natural 18k Yellow Gold Emerald Ring, Three Stone Emerald and Diamond Ring
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Emerald Diamond Ring in 18K gold featuring natural emerald of 1.65 carats and diamonds of 0.23 carat. The gorgeous handcrafted ring goes with every style. Emerald enhances the intell...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Three Stone Diamond Gypsy Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage 18k yellow gold three stone diamond ring reflects the traditional gypsy ring style, known for its solid construction and flush set stones. Crafted in a smooth, rounded f...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Estate Emerald Diamond 18K Yellow and White Gold Three Stone Ring
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful, classic three stone emerald and diamond 18K yellow and white gold ring 20th Century Emeralds: bright green, lively, the center emerald approximately 1 TCW and the two flan...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
$3,424Sale Price / item|20% Off
Modern Emerald Diamond Three Stone Ring Engagement Ring in 18K Yellow Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Diamond and emerald three stone ring in 18K gold which perfectly goes with your personality. Three stone rings come with deeper meaning, traditionally symbolizing friendship and love...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Vintage Cartier Diamond & Emerald 18k Yellow Gold Three Stone Dome Daphne Ring
By Cartier
Located in Birmingham, GB
Rare Vintage Cartier Diamond And Emerald 18k Yellow Gold Three Stone Dome Ring. Stunning yellow gold Cartier ring set with a beautiful 3.5mm centre diamond with F/G colour and VVS c...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Emerald and Diamond Three-Stone Ring in 18K Yellow Gold, Italy
Located in Monte Carlo, MC
This ring, offered by Claris-A, presents a bold three-stone composition set across a wide yellow gold band fully covered in pavé-set diamonds. At the center sits an emerald-cut emera...
Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Emerald and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Three-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
The central emerald is so bright and beautiful and measures 30pts. Sat either side it are two bright shimmering old European cut diamonds each measuring 20pts each. The ring is model...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold
$1,064Sale Price|20% Off
Three-Stone Diamond Ring in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Bloomington, MN
Three-Stone Diamond Ring in 18k Yellow Gold Crafted in 18k yellow gold, this three-stone ring features .16 carat total weight of diamonds in a timeless, understated design. The slim...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,140Sale Price / item|20% Off
Modern Three-Stone Diamond Emerald Ring in 18k Solid Yellow Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Modern Three-Stone Diamond Emerald Ring Set in 18K Gold featuring natural emerald of 1.23 carats and diamonds of 0.2 carat. The gorgeous handcrafted ring goes with every style. Emera...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat Gold 7.79 Carat Blue & Yellow Topaz "Three Stone" Ring
By Gems Paradise
Located in Jaipur, IN
This 18 Karat Gold 7.79 Carat Blue & Yellow Topaz ""Three Stone"" Ring embodies an exquisite symphony of elegance and vibrancy. It’s a splendid testament to the seamless fusion o...
Topaz, 18k Gold
$2,080Sale Price / item|20% Off
Zambian Emerald & Diamond Three-Stone Ring 18K White Gold
By Spectrum Jewels
Located in Deira, Dubai
"This ring takes the classic emerald-and-trapezoid formula and scales it down to an everyday size, with a clean emerald-cut emerald held by a simple four-prong setting and a single t...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
$784Sale Price|20% Off
14K Yellow Gold Delicate Oval Green Emerald Diamond Ring 'Center-0.79 Carat'
Located in San Francisco, CA
This Delicate Organicly designed ring features a 0.79 Carat Oval Shaped Ethiopian Green Emerald flanked by two round brilliant diamonds in weight of 0.02 Carat set in a Marquise shaped crown. The emerald is sparkling and full of life. Its color is equivalent to a Colombian Emerald luster...
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow 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 Sapphire and Diamond Gold Ring
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This is a well thought out ring and excellently made. The deep sea blue Sapphire is flanked by two clean white round Diamonds approx. 0.90 cts. The 18k Gold ring is mounted with 54 D...