Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-83.84.138.71-20131231144655/@comment-13446185-20131231183142

I don't believe I've ever seen lore saying the Dwemer discovered soul gems.

But the answer to your question is no. As Durnehviir made a pact with the ideal masters while dragons still commonly roamed Tamriel, which would mean that his pact was made during the Merethic Era, before the Dwemer disappeared.