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 Pave Diamond Clip-on Earrings 18K Yellow Gold
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Dallas, TX
Kurt Wayne Pave Diamond Clip-on Earrings in 18K Yellow Gold. The earrings feature approximately 1.55ctw of brilliant round diamonds. The earrings measure 1" by 7/8" and weigh 30.4 gr...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Kurt Wayne 18K Yellow Gold Mabe Pearl and Diamond Clip On Earrings
By Kurt Wayne
Located in New York, NY
These elegant earrings by Kurt Wayne blend classic refinement with luminous detail. Crafted in rich 18K yellow gold, each earring centers on a beautifully proportioned 15mm pearl, pr...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$7,700
W 0.88 in D 0.38 in L 1 in
Unique, Reversible Onyx, Diamond, & Mabe Pearl Earrings in 18K Yellow Gold
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This beautiful, expertly crafted and versatile pair of vintage 18K yellow gold, Mabe Pearl, black onyx and Diamond earrings are as well constructed as any fine jewel that we have see...
Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
14K Yellow Gold Mabe Pearl Clip-on Earrings #16443
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage 14K Yellow Gold Mabe Pearl Clip-on Earrings These gorgeous clip-on earrings are crafted with meticulous detail from 14K yellow gold and feature 2 beautiful Mabe pearls! Pea...
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$8,800
W 0.99 in L 0.87 in
Zolotas 22 Karat & 24 Karat Yellow Gold, Mabe Pearl and Diamond Clip-On Earrings
By Zolotas
Located in New York, NY
This earrings are designed by Zolotas of Athens , Greece. Founded in 1895 the company merges Greek heritage with modern style to create these timeless pieces. Coveted by Royals and A...
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 22k Gold
Mabe Pearl and Peridot 18K Yellow Gold Braid Earrings
By Valentin Magro
Located in New York, NY
These earrings focus on the prismatic glow of the Mabe pearl, a jewel that grew against its shell in the water. A slender braid of 18k yellow gold encloses the pearl and a round peri...
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Peridot, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Yellow Gold Textured Starfish Clip-on Earrings
By Valentin Magro
Located in New York, NY
Gold enlivens these starfish earrings. The base is in the silhouette of the sea animal and has been given texture for both realism and precision. Smooth globes of the metal are dispe...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
18K Gold & Diamond Clip-On Drop Earrings
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Bold and elegant, these vintage 1980s earrings are crafted in rich 18K yellow gold and set with approximately 3.25 carats of brilliant-cut diamonds. Designed with dramatic, sculptura...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Pavé Diamond Clip-On Earrings in 18K Yellow Gold, 8.50 Carats, USA
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of pear shape pavé diamond earrings in 18K yellow gold. Earrings are marked "18K" on the back. They feature 174 round diamonds with a total carat weight of 8.50, F-H color an ...
Diamond, 18k Gold
$17,750
W 0.83 in D 0.59 in L 1.14 in
18K Yellow Gold Baroque Pearl Clip On Earrings with Diamond Accents
By Valentin Magro
Located in New York, NY
The Satin sheen of a baroque South Sea pearl is surrounded by brilliant cut diamonds for a gleaming reinvention of the classic pearl earrings. Prismatic natural-shaped pearls demonst...
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Kurt Wayne Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Bypass Oval Clip On Earrings
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Miami, FL
These Exquisite Kurt Wayne earrings are the perfect adjectives to describe thises pieces and their wearer. These Kurt Wayne 1980's Earrings are crafted in Solid 18K Yellow Gold, w...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Solid Yellow Gold 14.7mm Mabe Pearl Button Clip On Earrings
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (2) Genuine Cultured Mabe Pearls - Round Shape - White Color w/ Nice Overtone - 14.7mm (approx.) Material: 14k Solid Yellow Gold Weight: 11.39 Grams Backing: Clip On C...
Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier 18k Gold Mabe Pearl Diamond Earrings
By Cartier
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Elevate your collection with these exquisite authentic Cartier earrings, circa 1980. Crafted in luxurious 18k yellow gold, each piece centers on a radiant 14mm mabe cultured pearl bo...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18kt White Gold Mabe Pearl Clip-On Earrings Surrounded with Diamonds
Located in Antwerp, BE
Gorgeous 18kt White Gold Mabe Pearl Clip - On Earrings Surrounded with Diamonds. Pearl: Diameter 16.7 mm Diamonds: 40 round brilliant cut diamonds : 2,8 ct Top Quality brilliant c...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Kurt Wayne Basket Weave 18k Yellow Gold Clip On Earrings
By Kurt Wayne
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Kurt Wayne Basket Weave 18k Yellow Gold Clip-On Earrings Circa 1970s. The Kurt Wayne 18k Yellow Gold Clip-On Earrings were made in the 1970s. Designed as a basket weave pattern on ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
KURT WAYNE Modernist Two Tones Earrings In 18Kt Yellow Gold With VS Diamonds
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Miami, FL
Modernist two tones earrings designed by Kurt Wayne These are a beautiful pair of earrings, created by Kurt Wayne back in the late 20th century. The earrings have been crafted with ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
KURT WAYNE Sapphire Diamond Earrings
By Kurt Wayne
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 18 karat yellow gold, sapphire and diamond earclips, Kurt Wayne. Each earclip designed as a vertical serpentine line of horizontally set rectangular faceted sapphires, hig...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
KURT WAYNE Oval Gold Diamond Earrings
By Kurt Wayne
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 18 karat yellow gold and diamond earclips, Kurt Wayne. Each earclip designed as a puffed oval pave set with approximately 88 round brilliant cut diamonds overlaid with a t...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 7 Carat Diamond Kurt Wayne 18 Karat Gold Earrings Estate Fine Jewelry
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Montreal, QC
Stylish and Simply Beautiful Kurt Wayne Earrings featuring 7 Carat Diamonds; F color; VS2 clarity; Hand crafted in 18 Karat Yellow Gold. These earrings are attributed to Kurt Wayne a...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold
H 1 in W 1 in D 0.5 in L 1.75 in
Kurt Wayne 14 Karat White Gold, Pearl Cluster and Diamond Earrings
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A stunning pair of pearl cluster and pendant drop earrings by Kurt Wayne. Each earring comprised of 14-Karat white gold, diamonds and pearls in a cluster and each supporting a large baroque pearl...
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
Kurt Wayne Diamond Gold Earrings
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Darnestown, MD
Stunning irregular V shaped diamond earrings by Kurt Wayne. The diamonds are set on multi levels as are the gold spokes terminating in balls around them. There are 43 diamonds weigh...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Kurt Wayne Yellow and White Gold Diamond Cluster Huggie Earrings
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Southampton, PA
Focusing on the majestic luster of F-color diamonds of VVS1 clarity weighing in total 3.25 carats, Kurt Wayne created these glorious earrings by brilliantly employing precious 18K ye...
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Kurt Wayne Sapphire, Diamond and 18K Gold Earrings
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Breathtaking Kurt Wayne Pear Shape Sapphire and Diamond Earrings. The sapphires are G.I.A certifed #6157973309 Sapphires Measure 11.50 x 8.10 x 6.76mm and approximately 9.0ct in we...
Blue Sapphire, White Diamond, 18k Gold
Kurt Wayne 1980s Diamond and Gold Earrings
By Kurt Wayne
Located in New York, NY
A pair of American Estate 18 karat gold and diamond earrings by Kurt Wayne, featuring a shell design with pavé-set round-cut diamonds with an approximate total weight of 4.00 carats,...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Diamond Starfish Earclips by Kurt Wayne
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Chicago, IL
18k Yellow gold and Diamond Pave Starfish Ear Clips by Kurt Wayne, having post and Omega clip backs, set with 4.50 Carat Total Weight fine White Diamonds.
Diamond, 18k Gold