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.
H. Stern 1950's Orange Topaz Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Vintage Fanning Ring
By H. Stern
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering a mixed cushion-cut topaz weighing approximately 3.32 carats - transparent light orange in color Prong set in basket and flanked by cathedral shoulders tiered with fanning ...
Diamond, Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
$38,400Sale Price|20% Off
H. Stern 2.28 Carat Diamond Double Heart Necklace & Ear-Clip Earrings Set in 18K
By H. Stern
Located in Chicago, IL
An elegant and romantic signed jewelry set by H. Stern, crafted in rich 750 (18K) yellow gold and designed around the timeless symbolism of the double heart motif. This refined parur...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
H. Stern Tourmaline Vintage Large Stud Earrings - Yellow Gold 18k Rnd 2.52ctw
By H. Stern
Located in Greensboro, NC
Brand: H. Stern Era: Vintage Metal Content: 18k Yellow Gold Stone Information Natural Tourmalines Carat(s): 2.52ctw Cut: Round Color: Green Total Carats: 2.52ctw Style: Large Stu...
Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Estate H. Stern Crystal and White Diamond Bracelet and Earring Set in 18K
By H. Stern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous estate H. Stern bracelet and dangle earring set featuring crystal cabochons and good quality diamond rounds. Handmade in 18k yellow gold.
Crystal, Diamond, 18k Gold
H. Stern 18 Karat White Gold & Diamond 'Metropolis' Bracelet
By H. Stern
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
This rather unusual bracelet was manufactured in Italy and retailed by famed Brazilian jewellery firm, H Stern. The flexible bracelet is crafted from satin finished 18 karat white go...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
H-Stern Vintage 23.07 GIA Aquamarine Diamond Platinum Gold Cocktail Ring
By H. Stern
Located in Miami, FL
A look into a wave in the bluest ocean! A striking, appx. 23.07-carat Cushion cut Aquamarine H-Sten ring with GIA lab Report adorns the center of this incredibly mesmerizing ring. T...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold, Platinum
$16,798Sale Price|20% Off
H Stern 64 grams 18 carats yellow gold necklace and earrings
By H. Stern
Located in Chicago, IL
An exquisite necklace designed by H.Stern with a 2.28 carat total weight of 18K Yellow Gold Round Brilliant Cut Diamond Double Heart Necklace & Ear-Clip Earrings Set. The earring...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
H Stern Spessartite Garnet Solitaire Earrings - Yellow Gold 14k Pear 2.10ct
By H. Stern
Located in Greensboro, NC
Brand: H Stern Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold Stone Information Natural Spessartite Garnet Carat(s): 2.10ct Cut: Pear Total Carats: 2.10ct Style: Solitaire Measurements Tall (...
Garnet, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
H. Stern Diamond Pink Tourmaline White Gold Ring And Earrings Set
By H. Stern
Located in Southampton, PA
18k White Gold Diamond And Pink Tourmaline Set Of Ring & Earrings by H. Stern With ring: 1x Pink Tourmaline - 13mm x 9.5mm 10x Emerald Cut Diamonds 8x Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds Ea...
Diamond, Tourmaline, White Gold
H. Stern Triangular Pink Topaz Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
By H. Stern
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering a triangular-shaped mixed-cut topaz - transparent medium pink Bezel set partially down band with flush set diamonds Weighing 0.06 carat total - eye clean and bright Scatter...
Diamond, Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
H. Stern 18 Karat White Gold & Diamond 'Metropolis' Ring
By H. Stern
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
This rather unusual ring was manufactured in Italy and retailed by famed Brazilian jewellery firm, H Stern. The flexible ring is crafted from satin f...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage H. Stern 18k Yellow Gold Multi-Gemstone Blooming Tree Brooch
By H. Stern
Located in New York, NY
This vintage H. Stern brooch is a beautifully expressive designer piece, combining the prestige of a celebrated maker with the vivid charm of a blooming tree motif set with ruby, eme...
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
H. Stern 18k Gold Blue Topaz Garnet Iolite Diamond Calla Lily Flower Pin Brooch
By H. Stern
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (16) Natural Genuine Blue Topaz - Calibre & Square Custom Cut - Channel & Prong Set - Blue Color (3) Natural Genuine Garnets/Tourmalines - Round Cabochon Cut - Bezel S...
Garnet, Iolite, Tanzanite, Tourmaline, Blue Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, Yello...
H. Stern Constance Collection 18K Noble Gold Princess Cut Diamond Band Ring
By H. Stern
Located in Houston, TX
Brand: H Stern Gender: Ladies Metal Type: 18K White Gold Ring Size: 7.25 Width: 5.70 mm Weight: 8.85 grams H. STERN Ladies rhodium-plated 18K white gold diamond anniversary,...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
H. Stern Gray Bead and White Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Multi Layer Necklace
By H. Stern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous H. Stern estate necklace with 37 gray stone beads and 0.02 ct. white diamond rounds handmade in 18k yellow gold.
White Diamond, Yellow Gold
H. Stern Citrine and White Diamond Dangle Earrings in 18kyg
By H. Stern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning estate H. Stern earrings featuring 2.44 ct. citrines in a novelty cut with 5.50 ct. of black diamond rounds.
Black Diamond, Citrine, 18k Gold