Born into a Jewish family in Essen, Germany, Hans Stern (1922–2007) fled with his parents to Rio de Janeiro at the onset of World War II. There he landed a job working for the precious stone and mineral exporter Cristab. Thus began Stern’s rise to become “the king of the colored gems,” as the media would dub him, and founder of the family-owned H.Stern jewelry business that now has over 150 stores worldwide.
While working for Cristab, Stern regularly visited mines on horseback. At the remote mines of Minas Gerais, Brazil, he cultivated relationships with many of the miners, developing professional connections that would endure for decades. He also embraced a fascination with the colorful semiprecious stones harvested in the area. In 1945, he started his own company, H.Stern, with the goal of marketing Brazilian gemstones — then virtually unknown on the global stage — to an international audience.
Though the company began as a trader in gemstones, it soon expanded to jewelry, with Stern assembling and training a team of young jewelers. A frequent motif in the company’s designs was the star, as Stern is “star” in German. In 1949, H.Stern opened its first jewelry shop in Rio de Janeiro, but a storefront was not his customers’ only view into the brand’s jewelry-making process. In the 1950s, Stern became one of the first major jewelers to offer tours of his workshop, showing off the creative process and elevating the role of craftsmanship in jewelry design.
Stern’s approach and his vibrant jewels, which favored organic settings designed to show off colorful gems, earned international recognition and put Brazil’s topaz, amethyst and tourmaline on the map. Tourmaline was reportedly Stern’s favorite, and the company’s Rio de Janeiro vaults are also home to Paraíba tourmalines, which are mined in the mountains of Paraíba, Brazil. He recognized the burgeoning tourism industry in the country as an opportunity to promote the beauty of these stones, opening stores in the lobbies of Brazil’s leading hotels and investing in vehicles to bring visitors to the H.Stern headquarters. By the mid-1990s, the company was opening stores abroad and selling jewelry at international department stores.
In the 1980s, the brand debuted its first celebrity collaboration, with French actress Catherine Deneuve. Since then it has worked with partners such as designer Diane von Fürstenberg and architect Oscar Niemeyer. In 2016, Assouline published a book on the 70-year history of H.Stern, from its humble founding to its worldwide acclaim. Today, the company is run by Stern’s son, Roberto, who has introduced a broad range of new collections and styles.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of H. Stern necklaces, rings, earrings and other accessories.
18k white gold 14.50ct aquamarine and diamond cocktail ring
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
An 18k white gold statement ring set with a square step-cut aquamarine of ca. 14.50ct., flanked by 12 brilliant-cut diamonds, six on each side set in a triangle. The diamonds have ...
Diamond, Aquamarine, 18k Gold, White Gold
18 Karat White Gold Aquamarine and Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Zurich, CH
Stylish and eye-catching 18 karat white gold, aquamarine and diamond cocktail ring. Crafted in 18 karat white gold, set with a luminous octagonal aquamarine of approximately 16 cara...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
IGI Certified Italian Cocktail Ring 18kt White Gold with Aquamarine and Diamonds
Located in Esch sur Alzette, Esch-sur-Alzette
Top Width: 0,9cm Top Length: 2,2cm Top Height: 0,5cm Band Width: 0,8cm This exquisite IGI Certified Italian Cocktail Ring is a sophisticated creation crafted in 18kt white gold, com...
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage White 18k White Gold Aquamarine Cocktail Ring, Sweden 1973. US 4.75
By Rey Urban
Located in Stockholm, SE
This white-gold ring is set with a faceted aquamarine in a soft, watery blue. Seen from above, the stone has an organic, slightly asymmetrical triangular outline; from the side, its ...
Aquamarine, White Gold, 18k Gold
2000's 10.90 CTW Aquamarine Diamond 14 Karat White Gold Vintage Cocktail Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering a cushion shaped checkerboard cut aquamarine weighing approximately 10.72 carats Transparent light blue in color and prong set in basket and flanked by cathedral shoulders ...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Mid-Century Aquamarine Diamond Cocktail Ring White Gold 1950s–1960s
Located in Lisbon, PT
Mid-Century Aquamarine and Diamond Cocktail Ring in White Gold, Circa 1950s–1960s. At its heart lies a mesmerizing emerald-cut aquamarine of approximately 5.30 carats—its crystallin...
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Gold
Annellino Italian Fine Jewellery 10ct Aquamarine and Diamond Gold Cocktail Ring
By Annellino Fine Jewellery
Located in London, GB
-Handmade by our fifth generation goldmsith -10ct Aquamarine hand cut in our 150 year old workshop -Set in 18kt White Gold -32 White VVS-G Diamonds ...
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
LEYSER 18k White Gold Ring with 1 Aquamarine (oval, 13x11mm) and Diamonds
By Thomas Leyser
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
18k White Gold (10g) ring, set with: 1x fine Aquamarine in intensiv blue colour and large facettes (oval, 13x11mm, 5.87 carat) 10x top-graded Diamonds (brilliant-cut, 2mm, 0.31ct)...
Aquamarine, 18k Gold, White Gold
Asymmetric Cosmic Design Stackable Aquamarine 18K White Gold Cocktail Ring
By Beatrice Barzaghi Milano
Located in Milan, IT
18K White Gold Asymmetric Cosmic Design Stackable Aquamarine Cocktail Ring. The stackable Egle ring is made of 18 karat white gold and features a round mixed cut natural aquamarine around 1.45 carats, diameter 6.7 mm. The total weight of the ring is 3.5 grams. The size of the ring is EU 54.5, US 7. The ring is CAD designed by Italian designer and gemologist (GIA G.G.) Beatrice Barzaghi, then 3D printed, fused in gold, set and polished by hand by the best Italian goldsmiths. The Egle ring was created as an engagement ring for an Italian interior designer named Egle. She wanted a revisited classic model; that’s why I created it as an asymmetrical solitaire when I tilted the gem on its side. It should remind the wearer that even the simplest thing as a solitaire can be seen from a different point of view, as we should always try to observe reality. I keep on saying it’s “the engagement ring for the neighbor” since the neighbor can easily admire it! Nevertheless, since I’m very fond of gems’ energies I thought I would love to wear several of these rings on the same finger and I conceived them as stackable rings providing me their marvelous energies. They move on the finger creating a new big cluster ring...
Aquamarine, 18k Gold, White Gold
Contemporary 3.06ct Trillion Aquamarine & Diamond 18K White Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Towson, MD
This contemporary aquamarine and diamond cocktail ring in 18 karat white gold centers on a trillion cut aquamarine of cool, clear blue framed by a bright diamond halo. The aquamarine...
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
AMSTERDAM SAUER Cocktail Ring 18Kt Gold With SANTA MARIA Aquamarine & Diamonds
Located in Miami, FL
A cocktail ring designed by Amsterdam Sauer. This is a fabulous cocktail ring created by the Amsterdam Sauer company, back in the 2000. The setting of...
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
TIFFANY & CO. Classic Cocktail Ring Platinum With 2.70 Ctw Aquamarine & Diamonds
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Miami, FL
Classic cocktail ring designed by Tiffany & Co. Very beautiful and colorful cocktail ring, created in New York by the jewelry house of Tiffany & Co. back in the late 20th century. T...
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Salavetti Cocktail Ring In 18Kt White Gold With 9.52 Ctw Diamonds & Prasiolite
By Salavetti
Located in Miami, FL
Italian modern cocktail ring with Prasiolite designed by Salavetti. An elegant classic cocktail ring created in Milano Italy by the jewelry house of Salavetti. This beautiful ring h...
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Fred Leighton Cocktail Ring 18Kt Gold With 26.77 Ctw In Diamonds And Aquamarine
By Fred Leighton
Located in Miami, FL
Cocktail ring with gemstones designed by Fred Leighton. A statement cocktail ring, created and retailed by the New York jewelry house of Fred Leighton, back in the 1990. This magnificent ring has been crafted with classic patterns in solid white gold of 18 karats with high polished finish. Mounted with an outstanding selection of gemstones such; a gorgeous Brazilian vivid blue aquamarine and accented by two-hundred-eighty-six natural earth mined diamonds. The gemstones settings are finished with millegrain. Aquamarine: Mount in eight-prongs setting, with 1 marquise faceted cut (26 x 15 x 12 mm) of a natural Brazilian vivid blue aquamarine of 22.51 carats. Diamonds: Mount in a pave setting, with 286 calibrated round brilliant cut diamonds, 4.26 carats, white colorless F color, VS-2 clarity Birthstone: Aquamarine for the month of March. Weight: 21.85 Grams, (14.10 Dwt). Size: 9.25 and may be easily sized on request. Measurements: 30 mm by 20 mm (1.18 x 0.79 Inches) and raise 14 mm over the finger. Hallmarks: Stamped with the maker's mark, the mark for the assay of the gold and signed, "FRED LEIGHTON .750". Provenance: Fred Leighton, Madison Avenue New York, United States. Fred Leighton He is an American antique...
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
H. STERN Cluster Cocktail Ring In 18Kt White Gold With 2.85 Ctw In VVS Diamonds
By H. Stern
Located in Miami, FL
Cluster cocktail ring designed by H. Stern. Beautiful sparkling cluster ring, created by the Brazilian jewelry house of Hans Stern. This contemporary cocktail ring is a statement pi...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold
BOUCHERON Paris 1938 Art Deco Platinum Ring With 23.55 Cwt Aquamarine & Diamonds
By Boucheron
Located in Miami, FL
Cocktail ring with aquamarine designed by Boucheron. This magnificent Art Deco cocktail ring was created in Paris, France, by the prestigious jewelry house of Boucheron during the l...
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
