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Austrian jeweler Kurt Wayne 1909-1990

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Austrian jeweler Kurt Wayne 1909-1990

Flower brooch. 18 K gold, platinum, diamonds. Austrian jeweler Kurt Wayne 1909-1990

Austrian jeweler Kurt Wayne 1909-1990
The history of the Kurt Wayne jewelry brand began in 1945.
Born in 1909 in Vienna, Austria, Kurt was orphaned early. Having come under the care of a local jeweler, 10 year-old Kurt began to learn jewelry craftsmanship. After years of apprenticeship, Kurt became a professional silversmith, goldsmith, diamond cutter, watchmaker, and jewelry designer.
In 1939, Kurt and his wife emigrated to the United States to escape the Nazis. There he continued to work in jewelry workshops and sell jewelry. Finally, he founded the family business at the age of 36, opening an eponymous jewelry company in New York. Kurt created highly artistic jewelry, more like miniature sculptures. The greatest inspiration for the jeweler was nature itself, the love for which he embodied in his animalistic and floral designs.
Noteworthy, Wayne developed a good personal relationship with notable businessmen. In particular, the Zale family of Russian-Jewish jewelers and Stanley Marcus, president of luxury retailer Neiman Marcus in Dallas, Texas.
Traditionally, the jeweler used 18 K gold and precious stones – emeralds, diamonds, sapphires, rubies, etc. Item markings include “KW” or “Kurt Wayne” with the karat of gold or silver.
Kurt Wayne passed away in 1990.

Duck in reeds, naturalistic sculptural brooch. 18K textured gold, ruby. 1970 1

Duck in reeds, naturalistic sculptural brooch. 18 K textured gold, ruby. 1970

Maker's mark

Maker’s mark

Austrian jeweler Kurt Wayne 1909-1990

10k yellow gold Alaskan moose train charm pendant. 10 K gold

10 k yellow gold Alaskan moose train charm pendant. 10 K gold

Floral spray diamond 18 K gold earrings

Floral spray diamond 18 K gold earrings

Frog ring. 18 K gold, chrysoprase cabochons. 1969

Frog ring. 18 K gold, chrysoprase cabochons. 1969

Grasshopper brooch. 18 K gold, ruby. 1969

Grasshopper brooch. 18 K gold, ruby. 1969

Horned owl head cufflinks. 18 K gold, emerald cabochons. 1970

Horned owl head cufflinks. 18 K gold, emerald cabochons. 1970

Mouse brooch. 18 K gold, diamonds, ruby, emeralds, freshwater cultured pearls

Mouse brooch. 18 K gold, diamonds, ruby, emeralds, freshwater cultured pearls

Multicolor stone bracelet. 18 K gold, diamonds, tanzanite, rubellite, tourmaline, peridot, amethyst

Multicolor stone bracelet. 18 K gold, diamonds, tanzanite, rubellite, tourmaline, peridot, amethyst

Octopus ring. Ruby, 18k gold

Octopus ring. Ruby, 18k gold

Oval shape earrings. 18 K gold, diamonds

Oval shape earrings. 18 K gold, diamonds

Owl brooch. 18 K gold, ruby. 1970

Owl brooch. 18 K gold, ruby. 1970

Sapphire diamond 18 K gold ring

Sapphire diamond 18 K gold ring

Set of brooch and earrings. Diamond, Freshwater Cultured Pearl, Platinum, 18 K Gold

Set of brooch and earrings. Diamond, Freshwater Cultured Pearl, Platinum, 18 K Gold

Squirrel on branch, naturalistic sculptural brooch. 18K gold, emerald, diamond. 1970

Squirrel on branch, naturalistic sculptural brooch. 18K gold, emerald, diamond. 1970

The lion head cuff links. 18k gold, rubies

The lion head cuff links. 18k gold, rubies

Umbrella brooch. 18 K gold, diamonds

Umbrella brooch. 18 K gold, diamonds

Maker's mark

Maker’s mark