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.
Betony Vernon "Double Sphere Cocktail Ring" Ring Sterling Silver 925 in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "Double Sphere Cocktail Ring" was designed by Betony Vernon in 2004 and manufactured in lost wax elements. As elegant as it is playful, the jewel is likely to spark conversation....
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Three Sphere Massage Ring" Ring Sterling Silver 925
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "Three Sphere Massage Ring" was designed in 1998 by Betony Vernon and manufactured in lost wax elements. While it can be worn discreetly beyond the boudoir, the "Three Sphere Massage Ring" is also designed to bring a new dimension to intimate massage. The rings' greatest pleasure providing potential is unveiled by spinning the polished spheres towards the palm of your hand. In this position, it can be used to stroke virtually any area of the body – the neck, the shoulders, the back, the palms of the hands and the feet. In order to provide more control and therefore better results, the ring should be sized to fit the middle finger. How to Adorn: Designed to be worn on middle finger. Spin the spheres into the palm of the hand for facial contouring and muscle massage. Material: Sterling Silver 925 Hall marks: numbered and signed BV-925 + production hallmark Special limited Edition: 1/21/2021 Size: Middle Finger Ring...
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Double Sphere Marble Massage Ring" Sterling Silver 925
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "Double Sphere Marble Massage Ring" was designed by Betony Vernon in 2017 to be worn as a statement piece as well as to provide a healing massage. The ring’s therapeutic potential is unveiled by swiveling the polished spheres towards the palm of your hand. In this position the ring can be used to massage any area of the body. This jewel is a declination of Vernon's Iconic "Double Sphere Massage Ring", handcrafted with a selection of different healing stones spheres, each specific to different virtues. The Marble’s healing properties is used as a general cleanser for the body and skin. Metaphysically it is beneficial for clarity during meditative states. It is known to improve total recall of dreams and provides protection, stability and structure of one’s physical, emotional and spiritual facets. How to Adorn: Betony Vernon suggests wearing this ring in pairs. You can stack them or wear one on each hand. Note: In order to provide greater control when using the rings for massaging yourself or others, order the ring to fit the middle finger. Use massage oil to further heighten the experience and gain maximum satisfaction. Refer to chapter 9 "Ascent to Paradise: Orchestrating the Senses" of The Boudoir Bible...
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Double Sphere Thulite Massage Ring" Sterling Silver 925 in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "Double Sphere Thulite Massage Ring" was designed by Betony Vernon in 2017 to be worn as a statement piece as well as to provide a healing massage. The ring’s therapeutic potenti...
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Double Sphere Thulite Massage Ring" Sterling Silver 925 in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "Double Sphere Thulite Massage Ring" was designed by Betony Vernon in 2017 to be worn as a statement piece as well as to provide a healing massage. The ring’s therapeutic potenti...
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Double Sphere Dumortierite Massage Ring" Sterling Silver 925
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "Double Sphere Dumortierite Massage Ring" was designed by Betony Vernon in 2017 to be worn as a statement piece as well as to provide a healing massag...
Sterling Silver
Owe Johansson 1972 Finland Modernist Ring in Solid .925 Sterling Silver
By Owe Johansson
Located in Miami, FL
Modernist ring designed by Owe Johansson. Fabulous modernist ring, created in Finland by the artist silversmith Owe Johansson, back in the 1972. This ring has been crafted in solid ...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Georg Jensen Grape Ring Model 54 Moonlight Grapes In Sterling Silver
By Georg Jensen
Located in Lejre, DK
Georg Jensen ring in sterling silver, model 54 from the Moonlight Grapes collection. Features the iconic grape motif measuring 3 × 2.5 cm, showcasing the brand’s organic design langu...
Sterling Silver
Vintage Signed Susan Cummings Sterling Silver Sculptural Ball Ring
By Susan Cummings
Located in North Miami, FL
This very special sterling silver vintage hallmarked Susan Cummings ball ring is like a piece of sculpture on the finger. The ball moves. It is signed...
Sterling Silver
POL BURY Belgium 1968-2002 Rare Sculptural Kinetic Spheres Ring 18Kt White Gold
By Pol Bury
Located in Miami, FL
A Kinetic spheres ring designed by Pol Bury (Belgium 1922-2005). An exceptional and very rare sculptural piece of kinetic and Op-art, created in 1968-...
18k Gold, White Gold
Owe Johansson 1970 Finland Modernist Domed Ring in Solid .925 Sterling Silver
By Owe Johansson
Located in Miami, FL
Modernist ring designed by Owe Johansson. Fabulous modernist ring, created in Finland by the artist silversmith Owe Johansson, back in the 1970. This ring has been crafted as a larg...
Silver, Sterling Silver
David Andersen Norway Sterling Silver Ball Wrap Ring Size 6.5 #16706
By David Andersen
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Sterling silver ball wrap ring by David Andersen of Norway. Size 6 1/2 (may be adjustable because of the bypass design) Made by iconic designer, David Andersen, this sterling silve...
Sterling Silver
