Betony Vernon "O'Ring Navel Piercing" Piercing 18 Karat Gold in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Materials: 18-Karat Gold Techniques: Handcrafted in lost wax elements Hall marks: BV-725 Date of fabrication: 2017 Size: unique, O-ring diameter 14mm, piercing head diameter 8mm, clo...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Betony Vernon "Venus Ring" Small, Sterling Silver 925 in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: Sterling Silver 925 Hall marks: numbered and signed BV-925 + production hallmark Size: US 7 All BV materials are cruelty-free
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "O-Ring Choker with Shaft Ring" Necklace Sterling Silver 925
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Handcrafted in Italy. All BV materials are cruelty-free.
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Tassel Cocktail Earrings" Earrings Sterling Silver 925 in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: Sterling Silver 925 Hall marks: numbered and signed BV-925 + production hallmark Earring Size: unique, 12.6 centimetres length Weight: 17.5g each Handcrafted in Italy, all...
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "O'Ring Chain Medium Necklace" Sterling Silver 925 in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: Sterling Silver 925 Hall marks: BV-925 Size: 51 cm length Handcrafted in Italy, all BV materials are cruelty free
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Wing Rings Set" Rings 18 Karat Gold in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: 18 Karat Gold Hall marks: BV-750 + productor mark Size: 6 3/4 (right hand / left hand) Weight: 24g each Handcrafted in Italy, all BV materials are cruelty-free
Gold, 18k Gold
Betony Vernon "O'Ring Band Medium Ring" Ring 18 Karat Gold in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: 18 Karat Gold Hall marks: BV-750 Edition: 2/2017 Extra Measures: Band max width 12mm / O-Ring mechanism: 9.5mm internal diameter Sizes available: 7.5, 8 Handcrafted in It...
18k Gold
Betony Vernon "Leather Whip Necklace" Sterling Silver 925 - Made in Italy
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: Leather and Sterling Silver 925 Hall marks: BV-925 Edition: Made on command only (production lead time 6-8weeks) Size: Leather fringe 45,5cm/ woven body of leather whip abo...
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Venus Cuff" Bracelet Sterling Silver 925
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: Sterling Silver 925 Hall marks: numbered and signed BV-925 + production hallmark All BV materials are cruelty-free
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "O'Ring Choker Mini" Necklace Silver 925
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The ball and ring mechanism on the "O'Ring Choker Medium" serves to put all of the BV attachments and pendents with hooks at hands reach.
Silver, Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "17 Pearls Parure" Necklace Bracelet Ring 18 Karat Gold
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The pieces may be worn individually or together to create a BV signature ensemble. Betony Vernon "String of Pearls Massage Ring" Material: 18 Karat Gold and seven cultivated qualit...
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
Betony Vernon "Double Sphere Necklace" Necklace Sterling 925
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: Sterling Silver 925 Hall marks: numbered and signed BV-925 + production hallmark Size: unique size unisex, diameter about 13,2cm, sphere diameter 21mm Made to order only (p...
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "O-Ring Earrings Ruby Pavée" Sterling Silver 925 Ruby in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: Sterling Silver 925 and Ruby Pavée Hall marks: BV-925 Earring Size: one-size: O-ring diameter 14mm, earring head height 7mm, total height 16mm Handcrafted in Italy, all BV...
Ruby, Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Three Rows Bracelet" Bracelet Sterling Silver 925
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: Sterling Silver 925 Hall marks: BV-925 Edition: made to order only, production lead-time 6-8 weeks Size: 6cm wide, 18cm length Total weight: 70g Handcrafted in Italy, al...
Sterling Silver, 18k Gold
Betony Vernon "O-Ring Wrist Cuff Large" Bracelet Sterling 925 in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: Sterling Silver 925 Hall marks: BV-925 Size: Medium, ø int diameter 18.5cm, height 3cm Handcrafted in Italy, all BV materials are cruelty free
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "O-Ring Cuff mini Diamond Pavée" Bracelet 18 Karat Gold in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: 18 Karat Gold and Diamond Hall marks: BV-750 Size: medium, internal circumference 18,5cm, height 1cm Handcrafted in Italy, all BV materials are cruelty free
Diamond, 18k Gold
Betony Vernon "O'Ring Cuff Mini" Bracelet 18 Karat Gold in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Height : 1cm Handcrafted in Italy, all BV materials are cruelty free
18k Gold, Gold
Betony Vernon "O-Ring Band Large Ring" Ring 18 Karat Gold in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: 18 Karat Gold Hall marks: BV-750 Edition: 2/2018 Size: 8.5 Handcrafted in Italy, all BV materials are cruelty free
18k Gold, Gold
Betony Vernon "Wings Collier" Sterling 925 One-of-a-Kind Necklace in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: Sterling Silver 925 Hall marks: BV-925 + production hallmark Size: unique size, 47 cm length, each hollowware wing measures 80x40 mm Handcrafted in Italy, all BV materials...
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Spikes Choker" Sterling Silver 925 and Rubies in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Materials: Sterling Silver 925 and Rubies Hall marks: BV-925 Edition: 1/1996 Size: Medium, necklace circumference 34.5cm, height 1.5cm Handcrafted in Italy, all BV materials are cru...
Ruby, Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "O'Ring Cuff Three Mechanisms" Bracelet Sterling Silver 925
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
This particular in stock piece is the first of the limited edition from the '90s Size: standard medium woman "O'Ring Cuff Bracelet" Material: Sterling Silver 925 Hall marks: BV-92...
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "O-Ring Band Mini Ring" Ring 18 Karat Gold in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: 18 Karat Gold Hall marks: BV-750 Edition: 2/2017 Size: 5.5 / 6 Handcrafted in Italy, all BV materials are cruelty free
18k Gold
Betony Vernon "O'Ring Signature Chain" Necklace Sterling Silver 925 in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: Sterling Silver 925 Edition: 2/2018 Hall marks: BV-925 Size: 44cm length Handcrafted in Italy, all BV materials are cruelty free
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Love Lock Necklace" Man Necklace Sterling Silver 925
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: Sterling Silver 925 Hall marks: numbered and signed BV-925 + production hallmark Special limited Edition: 1/21/2021 Size: Custom order only (production lead time 6-8weeks) ...
Sterling Silver
"Ostrich Feather Tickler with O'Ring Cuff" Bracelet Sterling Silver 925 in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "Ostrich Feather Tickler Attachment" Material: Sterling Silver 925 handle, Ostrich Feathers with Marabou inserts Color: Black / White / Pink Champagne Hall marks: BV-925 Size: Fe...
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "O'Ring Choker" Medium Necklace 18 Karat Gold and Sterling Silver
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Materials: Sterling Silver 925, bonded 18-Karat Gold Techniques: Handcrafted in lost wax elements Hall marks: numbered and signed BV-925 & BV-725 + production hallmark Special limite...
18k Gold, Sterling Silver, Gold, Silver
Betony Vernon "Pierced Pendant" Necklace Sterling Silver 925
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: Sterling Silver 925 Hall marks: BV-925 + producer mark Size: rolo-chain length adjustable Handcrafted in Italy, all BV materials are cruelty-free
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Five Pearls Choker" Necklace 18 Karat Gold in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Materials: 18 Karat Gold and five natural sea pearls Hall marks: BV-750 Size: Medium, necklace circumference 34.5cm, height 1.7cm Handcrafted in Italy, all BV materials are cruelty ...
Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold
Betony Vernon "Five Pearls Bracelet" Bracelet 18 Karat Gold
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Materials: 18 Karat Gold and five natural sea pearls Hall marks: BV-750 Size: Medium, internal circumference 18.5 cm, height 1.7cm Handcrafted in Italy, all BV materials are cruelty...
Pearl, Gold
Betony Vernon "String of Pearls Massage Ring" Sterling Silver 925 - In Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: Sterling Silver and Seven Natural White Pearls Hall marks: BV-925 Edition: Master, unique piece Size: US 7 Handcrafted in Italy, all BV materials are cruelty-free.
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Five Pearls Choker" Necklace Sterling Silver in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Materials: Sterling Silver 925 and five natural sea pearls Hall marks: BV-925 Size: Medium, necklace circumference 34.5cm, height 1.7cm The "Five Pearls Choker" is also available in...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "O-Ring Band Medium Ring" Sterling Silver 925 18K Gold
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: Sterling Silver 925 (13g) and 18-Karat Gold O-ring (2g) Hall marks: BV-925 Edition: unique piece Size: 7 Handcrafted in Italy, all BV materials are cruelty-free
Gold, 18k Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Marabou Pleasure Puff Ring" Ring Sterling Silver 925 in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: Sterling Silver 925 Hall marks: BV-925 Color: White feather puff Size: 6.5 Handcrafted in Italy, all BV materials are cruelty-free.
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "O'Ring Signature Chain Collier Large"Sterling Silver 925 in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: Sterling Silver 925 Hall marks: BV-925 Handcrafted in Italy, all BV materials are cruelty-free
Sterling Silver
"Ostrich Feather Tickler w O'Ring Choker" Necklace Sterling Silver 925 in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "Ostrich Feather Tickler Attachment" Material: Sterling Silver 925 handle, Ostrich Feathers with Marabou inserts Techniques: Handcrafted in lost wax elements Color: Black / White...
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Essence Ring" Sterling Silver 925 with Funnel and Gold Cap
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: Sterling Silver 925 and 18 Karat Gold Diameter: 18 Karat sphere cap 8 mm Hall marks: BV-925 Edition: Made to order only (production time 6-8 weeks) Size: Made to measure H...
18k Gold, Sterling Silver, Gold
Betony Vernon "O-Ring Band Mini Diamond Pavée" Ring 18 Karat Gold in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: 18 Karat Gold and Diamond Hall marks: BV-750 Size: 6 Handcrafted in Italy, all BV materials are cruelty free
Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
Betony Vernon "Five Pearls Bracelet" Sterling Silver 925 in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Materials: Sterling Silver 925 and five natural sea pearls Hall marks: BV-925 Edition: 1 Size: Medium, internal circumference 18.5 cm, height 1.7cm The "Five Pearls Bracelet" is al...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Three Button Cuff" Bracelet Sterling Silver 925 in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: Sterling Silver 925 Hall marks: BV-925 - production mark Edition: 1/3 2017 Size: Small, internal circumference 17,5cm, height 7cm Handcrafted in Italy, all BV materials ar...
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Race Ring" Ring Sterling Silver 925
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: Sterling Silver 925 Hall marks: BV-925 + productor mark Size: one size fits it all, the seven rings have the same adjustable size Handcrafted in Italy, all BV materials ar...
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Pod Massage Ring" Sterling Silver 925
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: Sterling Silver 925 Hallmark: BV-925 Handcrafted in Italy, all BV materials are cruelty-free
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Pierced Chain Bracelet" Sterling 925 Bracelet in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Handcrafted in Italy, all BV materials are cruelty-free
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Pleasure Puff Cuff" Bracelet Sterling Silver 925 in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: Silver 925 and Marabou feathers Hall marks: BV-925 Color: Pink feather puff Size: Small (internal circumference 16cm), size can be adjusted for a perfect fit Handcrafted i...
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Pierced Chain Necklace" Sterling 925 Necklace in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: Sterling Silver 925 Hall marks: BV-925 + producer mark Size: large, 55cm long chain (adjustable), please contact for a perfect fit Handcrafted in Italy, all BV materials a...
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "O-Ring Band Medium Ring" Ring Sterling Silver 925 in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: Sterling Silver 925 Hall marks: numbered and signed BV-925 + production hallmark Special limited Edition: 1/21/2021 Extra Measures: Band max width 12mm / O-Ring mechanism: ...
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Pierced Cufflinks" Cufflinks Sterling Silver 925
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: Sterling Silver 925 Hall marks: BV-925 Handcrafted in Italy, all BV materials are cruelty-free.
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "O Ring Piercing Kit" Necklace 18K Gold Pavée Diamond
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "O'Ring Navel Piercing Diamond Pavée": Materials: 18-Karat Gold, Diamond pavée Techniques: Handcrafted in lost wax elements Hall marks: BV-725 Date designed: 1997 Date of fabrica...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Betony Vernon "O-Ring Choker Mini" Necklace 18 Karat Gold in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Materials: 18-Karat Gold Techniques: Handcrafted in lost wax elements Hall marks: BV-725 Date designed: 1992 Date of fabrication: 2017 Edition: 2/2017 Size: Necklace circumference 34...
18k Gold
Betony Vernon "O'Ring Navel Piercing" Piercing 18 Karat Gold in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Materials: 18-Karat Gold Techniques: Handcrafted in lost wax elements Hall marks: BV-725 Date of fabrication: 2017 Size: unique, O-ring diameter 14mm, piercing head diameter 8mm, clo...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
Betony Vernon "Sleeping Ring" Small Sterling Silver 925, Ruby, Pearls in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: Sterling Silver 925 Hall marks: BV-925 + producer mark Handcrafted in Italy, all BV materials are cruelty-free
Pearl, Ruby, Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "O'Ring Wrist Cuff Large Set" Bracelet Pair with link Sterling 925
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Handcrafted in Italy, all BV materials are cruelty-free
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Tassel Cocktail Long Earrings" Sterling Silver 925 in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: Sterling Silver 925 Hall marks: numbered and signed BV-925 + production hallmark Special limited Edition: 1/21/2021 Earring Size: unique, 20cm length Weight: 17.5g each Mad...
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "O'Ring Wrist Cuff Large" Bracelet 18 Karat Gold
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: 18 Karat Gold Hall marks: numbered and signed BV-750 + production hallmark Special limited Edition: 1/21/2021 Size: made to measure only (production lead time six to eight ...
18k Gold, Gold
Betony Vernon "Tuxedo Bondage Kit" Cufflinks Silk Sterling Silver 925 in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: Silk Cuffs and Sterling Silver 925 link Hall marks: BV-925 Size: Medium Handmade in Italy. All BV materials are cruelty-free.
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Ostrich Feather Puff" Green Ring Sterling Silver 925 in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: Sterling Silver 925 Color: Green feathers Hall marks: BV-925 Size: 6.5 Handcrafted in Italy, all BV materials are cruelty free
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Three Sphere Massage Ring" Ring Sterling Silver 925
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: Sterling Silver 925 Hall marks: numbered and signed BV-925 + production hallmark Special limited Edition: 1/21/2021 Size: Middle Finger Ring, custom sizing made to order on...
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Double Sphere Massage Ring" Ring Sterling Silver 925
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Material: Sterling Silver 925 Hall marks: BV-925 + productor mark Size: 7 1/2 Handcrafted in Italy, all BV materials are cruelty-free
Sterling Silver
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.
Contemporary jewelry is inextricably linked with the moment in which it is created, frequently reflecting current social, cultural and political issues such as environmental consciousness, identity and sustainability. It’s informed by fashion trends, from the chokers of the 1990s to the large chain necklaces of the early 2000s.
Jewelry is one of the oldest forms of adornment. Lockets made of silver or gold have been treasured gifts for hundreds of years, for example, and charm bracelets, which have existed since prehistoric times, didn’t become especially popular until the 19th-century reign of Queen Victoria. For many centuries, fine jewelry was used primarily to express wealth or status through lavish materials. Then, in the 1960s, a concept known as the “critique of preciousness” emerged, with jewelers creating pieces that did not get their value from gemstones or precious metals. Instead, it was the jeweler’s artistic vision that was prized and elevated.
This shift still informs Contemporary jewelry being made by artists today. Whether they are using cheap, found materials and working with provocative geometric shapes or seeking out the rarest stones, they are imbuing their work with meaning through their skills, techniques and ideas. Innovative designers such as Elsa Peretti, who popularized sculptural sterling-silver jewelry for Tiffany & Co., and David Yurman, who twisted metal into the simple yet striking Cable bracelet, have also influenced the direction of Contemporary jewelry’s forms and aesthetics.
Meanwhile, technological advancements like metal alloys and laser engraving have led to new possibilities in jewelry design. Now, edgy makers and brands as well as minimalist designers are pushing Contemporary jewelry forward into the 21st century.
Find a collection of Contemporary rings, earrings, necklaces and other jewelry on 1stDibs.