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 "Pierced Chain Bracelet" Sterling 925 Bracelet in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "Pierced Chain Bracelet" was designed by Betony Vernon in 1998 and manufactured in lost wax elements. Part of the iconic "Tokens of Paradise Collection", it is a symbol of virili...
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Three Rows Bracelet" Bracelet Sterling Silver 925
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "Three Rows Bracelet" was originally designed by Betony Vernon in 1996. Now a timeless BV signature jewel, it is handcrafted using lost wax elem...
Sterling Silver, 18k Gold
Betony Vernon "Ben Wa Chain" Necklace Bracelet Sterling Silver 925
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "Ben Wa Chain" Necklace was first designed by Betony Vernon in 1995 using lost wax elements and various sizes of rolo' chains in Sterling Silver 925. The timeless BV signature je...
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Mantra Bracelet" Sterling Silver 925 Bracelet
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "Mantra Bracelet" is an original design by Betony Vernon made in 2018 and handcrafted in lost wax elements and a rolo chain. The "Mantra Bracelet" chain follows a pendant that can contain your most valuable wishes. The jewel is accompanied with a miniature booklet composed of 50 tear-off sheets for your personal mantras. The "Mantra Bracelet" is designed to help make your dreams come to fruition. The act of writing down your desires is proven to reinforce the likelihood of their manifestation. Imagine what happens if you carry them with you in all actions! Available as a kit, the "Mantra Bracelet" can be combined with the "Mantra Necklace...
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Tassel Chain" Necklace Bracelet Sterling Silver 925
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "Tassel Chain" Necklace was first designed by Betony Vernon in 1995 using lost wax elements and various sizes of rolo' chains in Sterling Silver 925. The timeless BV signature je...
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "O'Ring Chain Medium Bracelet" Sterling Silver 925
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "O'Ring Chain Medium Bracelet" was designed by Betony Vernon in 2005 and handcrafted in lost wax element in Sterling Silver 925 in 2018. The timeless "O'Ring Chain Medium Bracele...
Sterling Silver
$220Sale Price|50% Off
W 0.32 in D 0.11 in L 6.5 in
Silvorra 925 Sterling Silver Three Row MultiColor Cubic Zirconia Tennis Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
This elegant solid 925 sterling silver three-row tennis bracelet showcases vibrant, square cut cubic zirconia in a rainbow of hues. Each stone measures 2 x 2 mm and is precisely set ...
Zircon, Silver, Sterling Silver
Eton Vintage African Coin Sterling Silver Chain Bracelet
Located in Milford, DE
Sterling silver chain bracelet from Eton, featuring dangling African coin charms from Tanzania, Bahrain, and Kenya. Box clasp closure. Marks/hallmarks: ...
Sterling Silver
Pave Diamond Oval Link Bracelet 925 Sterling Silver Diamond Bracelet Gift .
Located in Chicago, IL
Pave Diamond Oval Link Bracelet 925 Sterling Silver Diamond Bracelet Gift . Silver Weight 24 gm Diamond Weight 5.00ct Metal: 925 Sterling Silver A P P R O X T I M E All items ...
Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver
$280Sale Price|50% Off
W 0.31 in L 9 in
Silvorra Luxury Handcrafted 925 Sterling Silver Byzantine Chain Unisex Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
The Silvorra Byzantine Chain Bracelet is a masterpiece of artisanal craftsmanship, fashioned from authentic 925 sterling silver. Weighing 34 grams, with a length of 9 inches and a wi...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$1,350 / item
D 0.055 in L 5.5 in
Natural Pave Diamond Bracelet For Women 925 Sterling Silver Chain Bracelet Gift
Located in Chicago, IL
Natural Pave Diamond Bracelet For Women 925 Sterling Silver Chain Bracelet Gift. Additional information: Condition: New without tags: A brand-new, unused, and unworn item (includin...
Diamond, Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Dog Chain Link Bracelet & Heart Pendant
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Tiffany & Co. sterling silver bracelet. With slightly oval links and a heart-shaped pendant charm. The charm is not engraved. Great Tiffany design! Date: 20th Century ...
Sterling Silver
CHRISTIAN LACROIX Vintage Sterling Silver Chain Bracelet with Charms
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Nice, FR
CHRISTIAN LACROIX vintage sterling silver multi-strand chain bracelet, adorned with multicolored stones, iridescent beads, and a stylized heart charm. Embossed CHRISTIAN LACROIX on ...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Diamond Cut Figaro Chain Men's Bracelet 9" - 925 Italy
Located in Greensboro, NC
Metal Content: Sterling Silver Bracelet Style: Chain Chain Style: Diamond Cut Figaro Fastening Type: Lobster Claw Clasp Measurements Length: 9" Width: 13/32" (9.8mm Weight: 26.4 ...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Rope & Prince of Wales Chain Bracelet 7" - 925 14k
Located in Greensboro, NC
Metal Content: Sterling Silver & 14k Yellow Gold Chain Style: Rope & Prince of Wales Bracelet Style: Chain Fastening Type: Lobster Claw Clasp Measurements Chain Width: 1/8...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
$332Sale Price / item|50% Off
W 0.17 in D 0.17 in L 7.5 in
Silvorra Pink Tourmaline Station Chain Bracelet in 925 Sterling Silver, 7.5 Inch
Located in New York, NY
This refined chain bracelet showcases 3.18 carats of natural oval cut tourmaline gemstones set in polished 925 sterling silver. Featuring 8 gemstones measuring 5 × 7 mm, the design h...
Tourmaline, Sterling Silver
$397Sale Price / item|50% Off
W 0.1 in D 0.38 in L 8 in
Silvorra Exclusive Art Deco Style Snake Chain Bracelet in 925 Sterling Silver
Located in New York, NY
This bracelet is made of genuine 925 sterling silver, giving it a bright shine and durable strength to last for years. It measures 8 inches long, 0.38 inches wide and 0.10 inches thi...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Pave Diamond Link Bracelet 925 Sterling Silver Chain Bracelet Beautiful Gift.
Located in Chicago, IL
Pave Diamond Link Bracelet 925 Sterling Silver Chain Bracelet Beautiful Gift. Metal: 925 Sterling Silver Closure: Lobster claw Metal: 925 Sterling Silver Silver Weight: 20 gms ...
Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Ben Wa Chain" Necklace Bracelet Sterling Silver 925 in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "Ben Wa Chain" Necklace was first designed by Betony Vernon in 1995 using lost wax elements and various sizes of rolo' chains in Sterling Silver 925. The timeless BV signature je...
Sterling Silver