Austrian jeweler Kurt Wayne 1909-1990

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

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