The paradigm shift took place over lunch in Florence, Italy, circa 1992. Betony Vernon, a striking flame-haired jewelry designer, was showing off her most recent creation: the 18-karat-gold O-ring, designed with a nod to a bondage collar, with a smaller ring affixed to its front.
Playfully, Vernon's partner put his pinky through the smaller ring as she donned the larger one. Then, the unexpected happened. “There was an electric impulse running through this piece,” she recalls. “We both felt it.” The feeling changed her life. “That was the moment I knew that jewelry can provide sensation and reinforce an intimate bond.”
Enabling others to experience electric moments like that — to “bring luxury, fantasy and sensual possibilities to the fine-jewelry world” — has been Vernon's aim ever since. “Sex and luxury were never associated,” she noticed, and the jewelry designer set out to change that. The result was her 1992 Sado-Chic collection, which became the Paradise Found collection.
Vernon grew up in Virginia and studied art history, religion and goldsmithing at Virginia Commonwealth University. Following her graduation in 1990, she moved to Florence, later earning a master’s in industrial design from the Domus Academy in Milan. Europe has been home ever since.
Vernon's designs are provocative, sexy. But if you look no further than that, you’re missing a much bigger (and more interesting) point. Vernon’s rings, necklaces, bracelets and other accessories represent a vital part of what she sees as her life’s mission.
“Pleasure,” she explains, “has been associated with sin, wrongness and naughtiness, not with joy, happiness and bonding.” Vernon has set out to demolish that “pleasure taboo.”
So, how is pleasure reflected in the design of Vernon's jewelry (and remember, we are talking sensuality not sexuality)? Early in the design process, she asks, “How many senses can I turn on?” Every detail relates to a sensual experience.
That crisp snap a clasp makes when opening or closing? A pleasure to the ear.
The softness and spring of noble metals, silver and gold? A pleasure to the touch.
And always, Vernon believes, jewelry embodies memory, legacy. A pleasure for the soul.
Find a collection of Betony Vernon jewelry on 1stDibs.
"Ostrich Feather Tickler w O'Ring Choker" Necklace Sterling Silver 925 in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "Ostrich Feather Tickler with O'Ring Choker" groups two Betony Vernon's classical jewels to combine all together or wear separately. The "Ostrich F...
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "O'Ring Choker Mini Diamond Pavée" Necklace 18 Karat Gold in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "O'Ring Choker Mini Diamond Pavée" in 18-Karat Gold is part of the collection Sado-Chic, the term Betony Vernon coined to name her first fine erotic jewelry...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Betony Vernon "Double Sphere Necklace" Necklace Sterling 925
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Betony Vernon designed the "Double Sphere Necklace" in 1996 and manufactured it in lost wax elements. The Sterling Silver 925 "Double Sphere Necklace" will make a statement whether it is worn on its own or in combination with BV "Double Sphere Massage Ring...
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Five Pearls Choker" Necklace 18 Karat Gold in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The Betony Vernon "Five Pearls Choker" was designed and handcrafted in 2000 using 18 Karat gold sheet, lost wax elements and premium quality natural salt wa...
Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold
$22,706Sale Price|20% Off
Betony Vernon "O'Ring Choker Mini Diamond Pavée" Necklace 18 Karat Gold in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "O'Ring Choker Mini Diamond Pavée" in 18-Karat Gold is part of the collection Sado-Chic, the term Betony Vernon coined to name her first fine erotic jewelry designs in 1992. The ...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Betony Vernon "O-Ring Choker Three Mechanism Kit" Necklace Sterling Silver 925
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Betony Vernon "O-Ring" timeless signature pieces have been appreciated since 1992 for their symbolic and aesthetic appeal. This kit includes one "O-Ring Choker Three Mechanism", one ...
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "17 Pearls Parure" Necklace Bracelet Ring 18 Karat Gold
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Betony Vernon's distinguished "17 Pearls Parure" includes the "Five Pearls Choker", "Five Pearls Bracelet" and the "String of Pearls Ring". The Five Pearl...
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
Betony Vernon "O-Ring Choker with Shaft Ring" Necklace Sterling Silver 925
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Betony Vernon "O-Ring" timeless signature pieces have been appreciated since 1992 for their symbolic and aesthetic appeal. This "O-Ring Kit" includes one "O-Ring Choker Necklace" and...
Sterling Silver
$21,338Sale Price|20% Off
Betony Vernon "O-Ring Choker Mini" Necklace 18 Karat Gold in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "O-Ring Choker Mini" in 18-Karat Gold is part of the collection Sado-Chic, the term Betony Vernon coined to name her first fine erotic jewelry designs in 1992. The timeless "O-Ri...
18k Gold
Betony Vernon "O-Ring Choker Mini" Necklace 18 Karat Gold in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "O-Ring Choker Mini" in 18-Karat Gold is part of the collection Sado-Chic, the term Betony Vernon coined to name her first fine erotic jewelry des...
18k Gold
Betony Vernon "Venus Collier" Sterling Silver 925 in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The “Venus Collier” was designed by Betony Vernon in 1997. Its evocative form and fine Italian craftsmanship make this piece a timeless statement. The iconic collier celebrates the f...
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "O-Ring Choker with Tassel Pendant" Necklace Sterling Silver 925
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Betony Vernon "O-Ring" timeless signature pieces have been appreciated since 1992 for their symbolic and aesthetic appeal. This "O-Ring Kit" includes one "O-Ring Choker Necklace" and...
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Five Pearls Choker" Necklace Sterling Silver in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The Betony Vernon "Five Pearls Choker" was designed and handcrafted in 2000 using Sterling Silver 925 sheet, lost wax elements and premium quality natural salt water pearls...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Spikes Choker" Sterling Silver 925 and Rubies in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "Spikes Choker" was designed in 1996 by Betony Vernon and manufactured in Sterling Silver 925 sheet metal with lost wax elements. This is the prototyp...
Ruby, Sterling Silver
$1,820Sale Price|30% Off
W 0.75 in L 17 in
Vintage Georg Jensen Sterling 925 Silver Denmark 100A Tulip 17" Necklace 54.57g
By Georg Jensen
Located in Eagan, MN
This is a really unique and remarkable necklace. It is all handmade by premier jewelry designer Georg Jensen, Denmark.. It is from his Tulip line which there are a few variations. ...
Sterling Silver, Silver
Natural Rose Cut Polki Diamond Handmade Victorian Necklace 925 Sterling Silver
Located in Chicago, IL
Natural Rose Cut Polki Diamond Handmade Vintage Victorian Necklace 925 Sterling Silver 3 pc set Material 925 Sterling Silver Handmade Natural Diamond Polki Rose Cut Wieght ap...
Diamond, Sterling Silver
Beaded Coral and Sterling Silver Choker Necklace
Located in Nantucket, MA
A dramatic 4-line choker necklace using tube-shaped coral beads with small sterling silver beads connecting and delineating the lines. Slightly graduated. Beautifully constructed. ...
Coral, Sterling Silver
Diamond Necklace in 18 Carat Yellow Gold
Located in Paris, FR
Necklace covered with diamonds. 18-karat yellow gold diamond necklace Articulated 18-carat yellow gold necklace Tank mesh paved with diamonds. The links are entirely paved with diam...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
925 Gold Gilt sterling silver Coin Pendant Gemstones Statement necklace
Located in Monroe Township, NJ
A dramatic ,artist signed and architecturally sculpted gilt sterling silver necklace featuring a centerpiece , a bold circular medallion framing a faux Roman coin portrait in high ...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Inlaid Necklace Choker Modernist Mexican
Located in Wallkill, NY
A very special Inlaid Mexican Modernist Choker . Made up of Black Onyx, Purple Spiny oyster, Turquoise, Malachite and Lapis Lazuli stylized Arrows Link Choker Necklace. Exterior meas...
Lapis Lazuli, Onyx, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Henkel Grosse Germany 1973 Sterling Silver Choker Necklace #19584
By Grosse
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Henkel & Grosse Germany 1973 Sterling Silver Choker Necklace - This vintage sterling silver choker necklace is set in classic ...
Sterling Silver
Natural Rose Cut Polki Diamond Handmade Victorian Necklace 925 Sterling Silver
Located in Chicago, IL
Natural Rose Cut Polki Diamond Handmade Vintage Victorian Necklace 925 Sterling Silver Material 925 Sterling Silver Handmade Natural Diamond Polki Rose Cut Wieght approx 62 gr...
Diamond, Sterling Silver
$11,000Sale Price|20% Off
W 0.35 in L 16.5 in
Chimento Pavé Diamond Elongated Link Collar Necklace in 18 Karat White Gold
By Chimento
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
You will absolutely love this strikingly beautiful minimalist necklace by Chimento. It is stunningly simple in design, with curved lines and glittering pave diamonds, making the piec...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
White South Sea Pearl Necklace with 18 Karat White Gold Diamond Pave Clasp
Located in Darien, CT
This majestic graduated White South Sea Pearl choker necklace is made of 29 perfectly round cultured pearls beautifully matched in color, size, shape and luster, and finished with a ...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, White Gold
1980s Fancy 18 Karat Yellow Gold Choker Links Necklace 124.5 Grams
Located in Miami, FL
Make your mark in fashion with this fashionably designed 1980's Figure 8, Infinity style, 17 inch Italian necklace. Weighing 124.5 grams of 18K yel...
Yellow Gold
18" inches Classic uncut diamonds rose cut diamonds 925 sterling silver necklace
Located in Delhi, DL
Metal- Silver Metal purity- sterling silver (92.5% pure silver) Diamond type- uncut flat polki diamonds and rose cut diamonds Diamond origin- Natural real/earth mined Diamond color- ...
Diamond, Sterling Silver
$2,985
W 0.87 in D 4.9 in L 16 in
Alfred Karram 1970 Geometric Sculptural Necklace in Solid 0.925 Sterling Silver
Located in Miami, FL
Geometric necklace designed by Alfred Karram (1932-2017). A beautiful piece of wearable art, created in New York city by the Architect and artist Alfred...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Bersoni 18K Yellow Gold Tubogas Choker Necklace, Italy, Late 20th
Located in Houston, TX
Bersoni tubogas style necklace in 18K yellow gold with a tongue insert closure. The necklace measures 19 inches in length and 1/2 inch wide. Necklace has very nice weight and lays ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Marchisio 18K Two-Tone Gold Diamond Choker Necklace
By Marchisio
Located in Monte Carlo, MC
18 Karat Two-Tone Gold Diamond Choker Necklace by Marchisio, Italian Jewellers Since 1859 Offered by Claris-A, this 18 karat two-tone gold choker necklace was handcrafted in the wor...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Betony Vernon "O-Ring Choker Three Mechanism Kit" Necklace Sterling Silver 925
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Betony Vernon "O-Ring" timeless signature pieces have been appreciated since 1992 for their symbolic and aesthetic appeal. This kit includes one "O-Ring Choker Three Mechanism", one ...
Sterling Silver