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.
Ruby with Diamond Bracelet Set in 18 Karat White Gold Settings
Located in Bangkok, TH
Ruby 4.21 carats with Diamond 3.38 carats Bracelet set in 18 Karat White Gold Settings Width: 0.8 cm Length: 17.5 cm Total Weight: 27.05 grams "We first opened doors in 1980 when...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White 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
6.90 Carats Ruby Bracelet with Diamonds in 18 Karat White Gold
By Rewa Jewellery
Located in Bangkok, TH
A brand new ruby and diamond bracelet by Rewa. This bracelet features 6.90 carats of vivid rubies, radiating a captivating red hue. Surrounding the rubies are 0.44 carats of round...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Diamonds and Rubies, White Gold Link Bracelet
Located in Napoli, Campania
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
3.75 Carat Natural Diamond and Ruby Bracelet G-H SI 14 Karat White Gold
Located in New York, NY
100% Natural Diamonds and Rubies 3.75CT G-H SI 14K White Gold, Prong Style 7 inches in length 0.15ct diamonds and 3.60ct - rubies B5963WR ALL OUR ITEMS ARE AVAILABLE TO BE ORDER...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
Ruby Bracelet With Diamonds 7.74 Carats 10K White Gold
Located in Bonita Springs, FL
Comes with Gemological Appraisal by GIA GG/AJP All Gemstones are Natural in Origin Ruby: 7.58 Carats (Treatment: Filling) Diamond: 0.16 Carats Metal: 10K White Gold Length: 7 Inches ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 10k Gold, White Gold
Gold and Platinum Ruby Diamond Bracelet
Located in Dallas, TX
Ruby and diamond bracelet set in platinum and 18k yellow gold. There is approximately 6ctw of rubies and 6ctw of diamonds. The bracelet is 7 inches in length.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Ruby with Diamond Bracelet set in 18 Karat White Gold Settings
Located in Bangkok, TH
Ruby 8.71 carats with Diamond 0.58 carat Bracelet set in 18 Karat White Gold Settings Width: 1.1 cm Length: 17.5 cm Total Weight: 28.09 grams "We first opened doors in 1980 when ...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
15.05 Carat Burma Ruby No Heat Ruby Bracelet In 18 Karat White Gold
By Rewa Jewellery
Located in Bangkok, TH
An elegant Burmese ruby bracelet showcased by Rewa jewels is handcrafted in 18 karat white gold. It has 23 pieces of baguette shaped Burma No Heat Rubies weighing 15.05 carat appro...
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Rubies, Diamonds, 14 Karat White Gold Link Bracelet
Located in Napoli, Campania
Beautiful retrò bracelet in 14 kt white gold structure mounted with flowers studded with rubies and a central diamond. This bracelet was totally handmade by Italian master goldsmiths...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k 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
Oval Ruby & Diamond Baguette Band
Located in New York, NY
Chic Ruby & Diamond Pinky Ring. Heavy mounting with squared profile set with rich Oval Cabochon Ruby & complemented by 6 ultra white & clean Diamond Baguettes on either side. Has r...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Alwand Vahan Silver Gold and Diamond Flexible Bangle
By Alwand Vahan
Located in New York, NY
Luxurious Sterling Silver segmented Bangle with three 14kt Yellow Gold Beaded Terminals - The two separated by a single row of full cut Diamonds on either side. of the Bangle. Si...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
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
Erhan Gursen Ruby Diamond Silver Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in New York, NY
Turkish 22kt & Silver Ring set in Ottoman style. Designed by famous Turkish Jeweler, Erhan Gursen ca 1980-1990. Faceted Ruby surrounded by Diamonds & embellished by silver ...
Diamond, Ruby, 22k Gold, Sterling Silver
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
