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 18k White Gold 1.51ct Aquamarine Pendant
By H. Stern
Located in New York, NY
This vintage pendant is finely crafted in 18k white gold and showcases a 1.51ct aquamarine of soft, ocean-blue brilliance. The clean, elegant setting allows the gemstone’s clarity an...
Aquamarine, 18k Gold, White Gold
H. Stern Gold and Amethyst Ring
By H. Stern
Located in Darnestown, MD
Everything about this H. Stern ring is unusual. The shape of the amethyst is anything but ordinary. The cut of the stone is indescribable. Within the stone, one can see what appears ...
Amethyst, Gold, 18k Gold
Stern 1970s Uncut Citrine 18 Karat Yellow Gold Brooch
By H. Stern
Located in Poitiers, FR
Brooch in 18 karat yellow gold. Voluminous and massive, this vintage brooch is a worthy representative of the naturalist and brutalist artistic trends of the 1970s. It is made of yel...
Citrine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
H. STERN 18K Oval Diamond Fantasy Cut Amethyst Saddle Cocktail Ring
By H. Stern
Located in Winter Springs, FL
A unique ring by great Brazilian designer, H. Stern. Done in 18K yellow gold, this ring has been set with two side-by-side fantasy cut natural amethysts and surrounded by approximat...
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow 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
$17,321Sale 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
$7,356Sale Price|20% Off
H. Stern Ring GIA .40ct Faint Pink VS1 18k White Gold Genesis Sz 7
By H. Stern
Located in Northbrook, IL
This exquisite 18k white gold H. Stern ring is a true masterpiece of fine jewelry. The stunning .40ct diamond is GIA certified and boasts a beautiful faint pink color and a very slig...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
H. Stern Tourmaline Rock Crystal Toi et Moi Cocktail Ring 18K Yellow Gold Brazil
By H. Stern
Located in Lisbon, PT
H. Stern Tourmaline and Rock Crystal Toi et Moi Cocktail Ring in 18K Yellow Gold, Brazil. A striking Brazilian cocktail ring by H. Stern, designed as a contemporary reinterpretation ...
Rock Crystal, Tourmaline, 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
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 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
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 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 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 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 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