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 "Ben Wa Balls" with Marble Box Sterling Silver 925
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Inspired by the ancient Chinese instruments of desire that also give them their name, the BV "Ben Wa Balls" were designed in 1996 by Betony Vernon and are part of her infamous Boudoir Box...
Bulgari B.Zero 925 Sterling Silver Leather Cord Pill Box Case
By Bulgari
Located in Simpsonville, SC
The Bulgari B. Zero 925 Sterling Silver Pill Box Case with Leather Cord is a luxurious, modern accessory that reflects Bulgari’s signature bold and sophisticated style. Crafted from ...
Sterling Silver
Magnificent French Retro Sapphire Gold Box
Located in New York, NY
Magnificent retro sapphire gold box. Sapphires are perfectly set in graduation with total weight of 25 carats The box has the maker's mark RL & n...
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Cartier Sterling Silver Lunch Box Purse
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1970s Cartier .925 Sterling Silver Lunch Box Purse, measuring 4 1/8 inches long, 2 3/8 inches wide and 4 1/2 inches tall including the handle, weighing 7 ounces.
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. Enamel 925 Sterling Silver Pill Box Case
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Simpsonville, SC
The Tiffany & Co. Enamel 925 Sterling Silver Pill Box Case is a charming yet practical piece that combines Tiffany’s iconic craftsmanship with a touch of playful elegance. Crafted fr...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
$898
H 0.35 in Dm 1.61 in
British 1930 Art Deco Enamelled Guilloche Vinaigrette Box In 925 Sterling Silver
Located in Miami, FL
Art deco enamel vinaigrette box. Beautiful vinaigrette case, created in London England back in the 1930. This stunning piece has been crafted in a a r...
Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Early 19th Century Gold and Enamel Box, Swiss Work
Located in Paris, FR
Rectangular box with three tones of gold and royal blue enamel. The hinged lid is embellished with a multicolored gold medallion in relief featuring a bouquet of roses and tulips, se...
Gold, Enamel
Sterling Silver Perfume Bottle with Sterling Silver Round Pill Box
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Mid-Century and American made, this personalized duo services its owner well as an nostalgic and elegant way to transport finer luxuries. Carry a favorite scent along in this 3 x 1-1/2 inch sterling perfume bottle outfitted with secure screw top and cap cover. The perfume bottle has it's a smooth original, few minor slight dings and is stamped sterling silver. The accompanying piece is a 1-7/8 inch round , personalized pill or snuff sterling silver container...
Sterling Silver
Antique Silver Cigarette Box Birmingham 1911
Located in Toronto, ON
English Silver Cigarette Case Birmingham 1911, Joseph Gloster Ltd. Slightly concave rectangular shape case; front, reverse and outside border with eng...
Silver
German 800 Purity Silver Repousse Box With Enamelled Medallion
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
This charming box dates to the Turn of The Century and has been crafted from 800 purity silver and decorated with enamels. The piece originates in Germany, is octagonal in shape and has been crafted with ornate repousse detailing. To the centre of the top is a delicately rendered miniature portrait of a lady...
Silver, Enamel
$400
W 1.74 in D 0.56 in L 2.17 in
Antique Holly Mother and Child solid 925 Sterling Silver Box Pyx Pill Vanity Box
Located in SE
Antique Silver box with relief decorations of Holly Maria and Christ. Initially it could be meant to be a type of Pyx box for religious ceremonial purposes. Monogrammed with initial...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Navajo Sterling Silver Trinket Box with Turquoise
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Native American Navajo Indian Four Corners sterling silver trinket box. Featuring stunning engraved decoration on lid and sides with single tu...
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Volcanic Lava Box with Sterling Silver Finial
By Lila Parilla
Located in Darnestown, MD
This box made of volcanic lava is topped with a sterling silver and crystal ball finial. The four silver circles are movable to create either a flat or three dimensional form. The in...
Crystal, Sterling Silver