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 Umbrella Brooch in 18k Yellow Gold with Diamonds, 1974
By Kurt Wayne
Located in North Miami, FL
Kurt Wayne Umbrella Brooch in 18k Yellow Gold with Diamonds, 1974 Description: This vintage Kurt Wayne Umbrella brooch, created in 1974, is a rare example of the designer’s playful ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$64,000Sale Price|20% Off
Kurt Wayne 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Necklace 22 Carats
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Chicago, IL
A spectacular and highly collectible diamond necklace by renowned designer Kurt Wayne, crafted in luxurious 18K yellow gold and set with over 22 carats of beautifully matched diamond...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Kurt Wayne 6.00ct Diamond Platinum Heart Pendant
By Kurt Wayne
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite Kurt Wayne heart pendant, masterfully crafted in platinum, showcasing exceptional design and brilliance. The pendant is set with an impressive approximately 6.00 carats ...
Diamond, Platinum
$840Sale Price|20% Off
Kurt Wayne Starburst Diamond Pendant in 14K Yellow Gold
By Kurt Wayne
Located in New York, NY
This charming and unique piece by Kurt Wayne features a 0.10ct round diamond and nine straight baguettes that form a graceful asymmetrical starburst design. The setting and chain are...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
$2,960Sale Price|20% Off
Kurt Wayne Oval Emerald Pendant with Diamond Halo in 18K Yellow Gold
By Kurt Wayne
Located in New York, NY
This elegant pendant by Kurt Wayne is a refined celebration of color and classic design. At its center is a richly hued 0.56 carat oval emerald, prized for its vibrant green tone and...
Emerald, Yellow Gold
$2,040Sale Price|20% Off
W 0.77 in L 1.21 in
Statement Emerald & Triple Diamond Halo Pendant in 18k Yellow Gold Luxury Gift
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Make a striking impression with this stunning pendant featuring a captivating 1.87 carat oval-cut emerald at its center. Encircled by four radiant halos of diamonds totaling 0.92 car...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Yellow Gold Designer Emerald Pendant with Diamonds
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Natural Emerald pendant in 18K Gold. It has a oval cut emerald studded with diamonds that completes your look with a decent touch. Pendants are used to wear or gifted to represent lo...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
5.42 Carat Natural Emerald Pendant Necklace with Yellow Diamond Halo in 18k Gold
By Gad & Co.
Located in Miami, FL
CIT Certified emerald cut natural 5.42 carat emerald pendant necklace, elegantly designed in 18K yellow gold basket setting. The pendant's centerpiece boasts a stunning 5.42-carat em...
Yellow Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
18K Yellow Gold Diamond Spray Necklace
Located in New York, NY
A dazzling statement of vintage glamour, this 18K yellow gold necklace evokes the elegance of mid-century design with a bold, sculptural silhouette. Known as a “spray” motif for its ...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
6.82 Carat Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Necklace
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An elegant and modern necklace featuring 6.82 carats of round brilliant-cut diamonds. Each diamond is bezel-set in yellow gold frames that link with one another. A modern take on the...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 18K Yellow & White Gold 12 Carat Diamond Chocker Necklace
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage 18K Yellow & White Gold 12 Carat Diamond Chocker Necklace An extraordinary vintage masterpiece crafted in 18K yellow and white gold, this diamond choker embodies timeless so...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
14K Solid Yellow Gold 0.18 Ct Diamond Pavé Eight-Point Starburst Pendant
Located in Jaipur, IN
Eight Rays of Natural Light — Diamond Pavé Eight-Point Starburst Pendant in 14K Solid Yellow Gold Details:- Item Code :- PEMJ-797 Material - 14K Solid Yellow Gold Diamond Weight - 0...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sunita Nahata London Blue Topaz 6.00ct. Pendant in 18KWG with Diamond.
By Sunita Nahata
Located in Hong Kong, HK
This is fancy Pendant in hexagon briolette shape. The pendant is elegant and can be worn for many occasions. The London Blue Topaz around the pendant add to the beauty and elegance o...
Diamond, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, White Gold
$1,920Sale Price / item|20% Off
L 0.87 in
3.1 Carat Oval Cut Emerald Pendant Necklace in 18K Yellow Gold with Diamond
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Natural Emerald pendant in 18K Gold. It has a oval cut emerald studded with diamonds that completes your look with a decent touch. Pendants are used to wear or gifted to represent lo...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
$1,290Sale Price / item|20% Off
L 0.64 in
Certified Natural Diamond and Oval Emerald Pendant in 18K Solid Yellow Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Certified Natural Diamond and Oval Emerald Pendant in 18K Gold. It has a oval cut emerald studded with diamonds that completes your look with a de...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$4,234 / item
H 2.29 in W 1.15 in Dm 5.12 in
Sacchi 0.64 Carat Ruby and Diamond Gemstones 18 Karat Yellow Gold Wire Necklace
By Sacchi Gioielli
Located in Rome, IT
Gorgeous Satin Yellow Gold Pendant Necklace embellished with Ruby and Diamonds Gemstones, from Sacchi’s “Klimt” Collection, hand-crafted with lost-wax casting technique. Lost-wax ca...
White Diamond, Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Handcraft Emerald Pendant with Diamonds in 18K Yellow Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Natural Emerald pendant in 18K Gold. It has a octagon cut emerald studded with diamonds that completes your look with a decent touch. Pendants are used to wear or gifted to represent...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Kurt Wayne 1990's Diamond Rubellite Tourmaline 18 Karat White Gold Heart Necklae
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Featuring a rose cut heart shaped rubellite tourmaline weighing 8.5 carats total. Transparent pinkish red in color with medium saturation and natural in...
Diamond, White Diamond, Rubelite, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, White Gold
Kurt Wayne 1990's Diamond Rubellite Tourmaline 18 Karat White Gold Heart Necklae
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Featuring a rose cut heart shaped rubellite tourmaline weighing 8.5 carats total. Transparent pinkish red in color with medium saturation and natural in...
Diamond, White Diamond, Rubelite, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, White Gold
Kurt Wayne 18 Karat Yellow Gold Pave Diamond Heart Pendant Necklace
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Kurt Wayne 18K Yellow Gold Pave Diamond Heart Pendant Necklace This sparkling diamond heart pendant necklace is set in 18K Yell...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Kurt Wayne Diamond Gold Shell Brooch Pin and Necklace
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Miami, FL
This exquisite and stunning shell necklace is finely crafted by Kurt Wayne in solid 18K yellow gold. The shell pendant is covered in some 291 genuine round cut diamonds approx. 11.00...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Kurt Wayne Pearl Diamond Gold Necklace
By Kurt Wayne
Located in New York, NY
This classic 14kt yellow gold Kurt Wayne pendant features an 11.0mm creamy white pearl drop and a bail encrusted with 0.17ctw of pave set round brilliant diamonds suspended from a 16...
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
Kurt Wayne Princess Diamond Platinum Cross Pendant
By Kurt Wayne
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful necklace is part of the Kurt Wayne collection. This heavyweight platinum cross pendant features rows of channel set princess cut di...
Diamond, Platinum
Kurt Wayne Pink Sapphire Diamond Circle Pendant
By Kurt Wayne
Located in New York, NY
This fashionable 18kt white gold pendant is part of the Kurt Wayne collection. This piece features two pave set diamond circles with 0.40ctw round brilliants and an oval cut pink sap...
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold