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 2 Finish Link Bracelet
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Princeton, NJ
18kt Yellow Gold 2 Finish Link Bracelet. The bracelet is 7" in length and alternates between High Polish & Satin Finishing. The bracelet measures 21.5mm wide. The bracelet weighs 97.4 dwt. The bracelet is hallmarked KW (Kurt Wayne), 750 (18kt), and 110495. Expertly restored by our master jewelers and comes with a new purchase...
18k Gold
Ruby and Diamond Line Bracelet
Located in London, GB
A vintage ruby and diamond line bracelet, the bracelet comprising of twenty four alternate set step-cut rubies and twenty four carré-cut...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
White Gold Ruby and Diamond Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
18 kt white and yellow gold ruby and diamond bracelet in a XOXO design adorned with 5.00 cts tw of rubies and 7.00 cts tw of diamonds
Diamond, Ruby, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Diamonds and Rubies, White Gold Link Bracelet
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Link bracelet in 14k white gold structure, realized with 22 little flowers made of diamonds and central rubies. The origin of this bracelet goes back to the late 1990s, it was totall...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
Ella Gafter 18k White Gold Ruby Diamond Tennis Bracelet, 15 Carats
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The ruby and diamond line bracelet features oval cut faceted rubies of brilliant hues and crystalline texture for a total of approximately 15 carats. The design is complete with 1.10...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ella Gafter 18K White Gold Ruby Diamond Line Bracelet, 15 Carats
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The ruby and diamond line bracelet features oval cut faceted rubies of brilliant hues and crystalline texture for a total of approximately 15 carats. The design is complete with 1.10...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ella Gafter 18k White Gold Ruby Diamond Tennis Bracelet, 15 Carats
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The ruby and diamond line bracelet features oval cut faceted rubies of brilliant hues and crystalline texture for a total of approximately 15 carats. The design is complete with 1.10...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ella Gafter 18k White Gold Ruby Diamond Tennis Bracelet, 15 Carats
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The ruby and diamond line bracelet features oval cut faceted rubies of brilliant hues and crystalline texture for a total of approximately 15 carats. The design is complete with 1.10...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
18 Karat Rose Gold Diamond Rubies Bracelet
By Vitale 1913
Located in Monte-Carlo, MC
18K rose gold bracelet is from our Timeless collection. This beautiful bracelet is created from natural diamonds in G color and VS clarity in total of 0.91 Carat and red rubies in to...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Ruby and Diamond Bracelet Tennis Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The ruby and diamond bracelet features oval cut faceted rubies of brilliant hues and crystalline texture for a total of approximately 25 carats. The design is complete with 2.10 cara...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
1950s Diamond Gold Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
Handmade 18kt Yellow Gold & Diamond Bracelet with alternating segments of Pear shaped elements 150 full cut clean 7 white stones. Well over 10cts Very elegant and luxe. They do...
Diamond, Apatite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Gold Bracelet with Engraved Design
Located in New York, NY
18kt Yelow Gold Bracelet with flexible Barrel Vault shape. Has 2 figure 8 safety. Very Luxurious.
18k Gold
Gold Illusion Link Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
1940's 14kt yellow Gold Illusion Bracelet. Ongoing style & that's not just an Illusion. A very popular look. Concealed clasp - 7.5: long
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Retro Rose Gold Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
Late 40's early 50's Rose Gold Bracelet with Polish Marks and an unidentified maker's mark on both ends of the Bracelet. Very masculine but can b...
14k Gold, Rose Gold
Retro Gold & Topaz Flashlight Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
14kt Yellow Gold Retro bracelet with 5 fan shaped elements, each set with a large faceted Topaz. Bold Hollywood look of the period.
Topaz, 14k Gold
Early Colonial Painted Miniature Gold Filigree Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful handmade 18kt Yellow Gold Filigiree Bracelet made of Rosettes and spirals and solid gold backs. Truly a magnificent piece of work. Miniatures are painted on vellum wit...
