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 2.27 Carat Emerald & Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Five-Stone Ring
By Kurt Wayne
Located in New York, NY
This stunning Kurt Wayne 2.27 Carat Step Cut Emerald Ring is a captivating blend of bold design and elegant craftsmanship. The centerpiece is a striking 2.27 carat step-cut emerald, ...
Emerald, 18k Gold
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
Stylish emerald & diamond cocktail ring crafted in 18k yellow gold (circa 1980s)
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish emerald & diamond cocktail ring crafted in 18k yellow gold (circa 1980s). Emerald cut emerald measures 6.5mm (estimated at 1.24 carats). 14 round brilliant cut diamonds ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 0.32 Carat Emerald and Diamond, 15k Yellow Gold Ring Circa 1925
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique 0.32 carat emerald and 0.08 carat diamond, 15 karat yellow gold and silver set ring; part of our antique emerald jewelry collection. This stu...
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold, Silver
3.40ct Natural Emerald & Diamond 14k Solid Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
3.40 Carats Natural Emerald and Diamond 14K Solid Yellow Gold Ring Total Natural Green Emerald Weight is: Approx. 1.90 Carats Emerald Measur...
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
4.00ct Natural Emerald & Diamond 14k Solid Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
4.00 Carats Natural Emerald and Diamond 14K Solid Yellow Gold Ring Suggested Replacement Value: $6,000.00 Total Natural Green Emerald We...
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2.60Ct Natural Emerald and Diamond 14K Solid Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
2.60Ct Natural Emerald and Diamond 14K Solid Yellow Gold Ring Total Natural Green Emerald Weight is: Approx. 1.40 Carats Emerald Measures: Approx. 9 x 7 mm Total Natural Round Di...
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2.77 Carat Colombian Emerald and Trillion Cut Diamonds in 18k Yellow Gold Ring
By Gad & Co.
Located in Miami, FL
2.77-carat Emerald-cut Colombian Emerald mounted in 18k solid yellow gold ring setting with trillion-cut diamond accents. A superb quality Emerald with a vivid, "Colombian Green", co...
Emerald, Diamond, Yellow Gold
18k Yellow Emerald Diamond Ring.
Located in Firenze, FI
Antique Edwardian 18k / Square cut Emerald and Natural White Diamond Ring. Circa 1910 - 1920's. Gold weight : 4,200 gr Emerald : 0.60 c Diamond : 0.50 c
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
4.40 Carats Natural Emerald and Diamond 14K Solid Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
4.40 Carats Natural Emerald and Diamond 14K Solid Yellow Gold Ring Suggested Replacement Value: $7,500.00 Total Natural Green Emerald Weight is: Approx. 3.30 Carats (transparent) ...
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Platinum 0.73CT Colombian Emerald + 0.75CT Diamond Ring Sz 6.25
Located in Addison, TX
Details Metal: Platinum Purity: PT900 Ring Size: 6.25 Total Weight: 8.9 Grams Center Stone: Natural Colombian Emerald Center Stone Shape: Emerald Cut Center Stone Weight: 0.73 Carat ...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Natural Colombian Emerald Diamond Ring Platinum Cathedral Estate Ring Sz 6.5
Located in Addison, TX
Details Metal: Platinum Purity: PT900 Ring Size: 6.5 Weight: 5.7 Grams Center Stone: Natural Colombian Emerald Center Stone Shape: Emerald Cut Center Stone Weight: Approximately 0.18...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Estate Platinum 0.58CT Colombian Emerald Three Stone Diamond Accent Ring Size 7
Located in Addison, TX
Details Center Stone: Natural Colombian Emerald Emerald Weight: 0.58 Carat Emerald Cut: Square Emerald Cut Accent Stones: Natural Diamonds Total Diamond Weight: 0.17 Carat Total ...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Vintage Platinum Colombian Emerald Diamond Halo Ring Size 6
Located in Addison, TX
Details Metal: Platinum Purity: PT900 Ring Size: 6 Weight: 5.1 Grams Center Stone: Natural Colombian Emerald Center Stone Shape: Emerald Cut Center Stone Weight: 0.58 Carat Accent St...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Vintage Platinum 0.651ct Colombian Emerald + 0.61ct Round Baguette Diamond Ring
Located in Addison, TX
Details Center Stone: Natural Colombian Emerald Emerald Weight: 0.651 Carat Emerald Cut: Square Emerald Cut Accent Stones: Natural Diamonds Total Diamond Weight: 0.61 Carat Total...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
GIA Certified 3.16ct Colombian Emerald Vintage Cocktail Ring set in Platinum
Located in Addison, TX
GIA Certified 3.16ct Colombian Emerald Vintage Retro Ring set in Platinum Ring Size: 6.25 (can be sized same day for free) Materials: Platinum Primary Stone: Colombian Emerald GIA C...
Emerald, Platinum
