H. Stern Jewelry
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.
1980s Contemporary Vintage H. Stern Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Brazilian Modern Vintage H. Stern Jewelry
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Garnet, Peridot, Rubelite, Indicolite, Go...
1960s Brazilian Modern Vintage H. Stern Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s American Contemporary Vintage H. Stern Jewelry
Aquamarine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Brazilian Modernist Vintage H. Stern Jewelry
Spinel, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
1980s Brazilian Modernist Vintage H. Stern Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
1990s Brazilian H. Stern Jewelry
Diamond, Tourmaline, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Modern H. Stern Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, Gold
1990s Brazilian Modernist H. Stern Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Brazilian Modern H. Stern Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Brazilian Modernist Vintage H. Stern Jewelry
Citrine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s French Retro Vintage H. Stern Jewelry
Diamond, Quartz, White Gold, 18k Gold
1980s Contemporary Vintage H. Stern Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century H. Stern Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Brazilian Vintage H. Stern Jewelry
Late 20th Century Brazilian Contemporary H. Stern Jewelry
18k Gold
1990s American Contemporary H. Stern Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s H. Stern Jewelry
1970s Brazilian Vintage H. Stern Jewelry
Yellow Gold
1980s Brazilian Vintage H. Stern Jewelry
Diamond, Tourmaline, White Gold
1980s Brazilian Vintage H. Stern Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary H. Stern Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Vintage H. Stern Jewelry
Amethyst, Peridot, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Brazilian Contemporary Vintage H. Stern Jewelry
Multi-gemstone, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Brazilian Modern H. Stern Jewelry
Chalcedony, Quartz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Contemporary H. Stern Jewelry
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s Brazilian Modern Vintage H. Stern Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Brazilian H. Stern Jewelry
Diamond, Quartz, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
20th Century Brazilian Modernist H. Stern Jewelry
Multi-gemstone, Gold, 18k Gold
1960s American Vintage H. Stern Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold, Platinum
20th Century Brazilian H. Stern Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
1990s Brazilian Modern H. Stern Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s Brazilian Vintage H. Stern Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s H. Stern Jewelry
Quartz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
H. Stern jewelry & watches for sale on 1stDibs.
- What is the history of H. Stern?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024The history of H. Stern begins with Hans Stern, who 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, regularly visiting mines on horseback. At the remote mines of Minas Gerais in southeastern Brazil, he cultivated relationships with many of the miners, developing professional connections that would endure for decades. He also developed a fascination with the colorful semi-precious stones found in the area. In 1945, he started his own company, H. Stern, with the goal of marketing Brazilian gemstones. Though the company began as a trader in gemstones, it soon expanded to jewelry, with Stern assembling and training a team of young jewelers. In 1949, H. Stern opened its first jewelry shop in Rio de Janeiro. During the 1980s, the brand debuted its first celebrity collaboration with French actress Catherine Deneuve. By the mid-1990s, the company was opening stores abroad and selling jewelry at international department stores. Today, the company is run by Stern's son, Roberto, who has introduced a broad range of new collections and styles. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of H. Stern jewelry.
- Who owns H. Stern jewelry?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Hans Stern owns H. Stern jewelry. The jewelry designer founded the company in 1945 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where its headquarters remain today. Stern's son, Roberto Stern, serves as the Creative Director and President as of January 2022. Shop a large selection of H. Stern jewelry on 1stDibs.
- Is H. Stern a good brand?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024Yes, H. Stern is a good brand. In fact, the Brazilian company is one of the leading jewelry houses in the world. Founded by Hans Stern in 1945 in Rio de Janeiro, the jewelry house has focused over the decades on the natural resources of South America, like gold and semi-precious stones, in striking sculptural pieces. Its collaborations include statement pieces made with leading designers like Oscar Niemeyer, Diane von Furstenberg and the Campana Brothers. Artisans at H. Stern continue to carefully select colorful gems and precious metals for its pieces and use time-honored techniques to make each piece of exceptional quality. Online reviewers frequently cite the beauty, durability and creativity of the jewelry maker's pieces. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of H. Stern jewelry.