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...
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
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
Tiffany & Co. Travelers Suitcase 925 Sterling Silver Pill Box Case
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Simpsonville, SC
The Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Suitcase Pill Box is a charming nod to the world of travel and adventure. Crafted with precision, this miniature suitcase is made from lustrous ...
Sterling Silver
Pill box with 4 compartments engraved in 925 sterling silver
Located in Perugia, IT
Pill box with 4 compartments engraved in 925 sterling silver Dimensions: mm 53 x 53 x 14 Weight g 63 Square shape with floral pattern engravings on the front, all the rest of the bo...
Sterling Silver
Gold and Enamel, Diamond Pills Box, Early 20th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Enamelled gold handbag box in the shape of a shell. The finely chased gold is adorned with geometric guilloché and enhanced with translucent opalescent white and royal blue enamels, ...
Gold, Enamel
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
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
$375
W 1.07 in D 0.4 in L 1.66 in
1891 British Minshull & Latimer 925 Sterling Silver Match Pill Box /11gr
Located in SE
British Vesta,Match Silver Box that can also be used as a Pill box. Hand - engraved decorations on both sides. Solid 925 grade Silver. Made in England, hallmarked M & L – Minshull...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$2,850
H 3 in W 7.25 in D 4.13 in
Signed Japanese 950 Sterling Silver Handled Jewelry Box with Chrysanthemums
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine signed Japanese silver jewelry box. In .950 sterling silver. With intricate engraved chrysanthemum decoration and a trefoil handle to the lid. The interior with a lacquered...
Sterling Silver
Greek Sterling Silver Heart Pill Box With JN Monogram # 19627
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Greek Sterling Silver Heart Pill Box With JN Monogram - This Greek heart shaped pill box in sterling silver has a JN Monogram etched on top. Gold wash inside the box. Size: 42.98 ...
Sterling Silver
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
$450
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