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 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
$15,934 / item
H 2.37 in W 2.76 in D 0.2 in
Alex Jona White Diamond Pavé 18 Karat White Gold Bangle Bracelet
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat white gold bangle bracelet set with 165 white diamonds, F color, VVS1 clari...
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Amwaj 18 Karat White Gold Bracelet with 1 Drop Diamond
By Amwaj Jewellery
Located in Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi
A dazzling diamond is showcased in a minimalist setting in Amwaj 18 karat white gold drop bracelet. The epitome of everyday elegance. The rose cut diamond scintillates upon the wrist...
Diamond, White Gold
Black Enamel 18 Karat White Gold Diamond Bangle Bracelet
By Meghna Jewels
Located in Hoffman Estate, IL
A black enamel bangle bracelet handmade in 18K white gold & set in 1.20 carats of sparkling diamonds. FOLLOW MEGHNA JEWELS storefront to view the latest collection & exclusive piec...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Enamel
Alex Jona 18 Karat White Gold White Diamond Bracelet
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat white gold flexible bracelet set with 5.82 carats of white diamonds, F color, VVS1 clarity. Dimension: L 6.89 in / 17.5 c...
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Circle of Life Bracelet Diamonds White Gold 18 Karat
Located in Vannes, FR
Welcome to the world of timeless elegance and sophistication with our exquisite Diamonds and White Gold Circle of Life Bracelet. Crafted with utmost precision and passion, this stunn...
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Multi Sapphire Diamond Bracelet in 18 Karat White Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
The wearing of charms may have begun as a form of amulet or talisman to ward off evil spirits or bad luck. This multi sapphire bracelet has a square cut gemstone and diamonds in 18K ...
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold, 18k Gold
Amwaj 18 Karat White Gold Bracelet with Round Diamonds
By Amwaj Jewellery
Located in Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi
An elegant 18 karat gold tennis bracelet featuring a stream of brilliance that embraces the wrist. This round cut diamond bracelet, set in white gold celebrates the purity of the fin...
Diamond, White Gold
Stunning 18 Karat White Gold Pearl and Diamond Bracelet
Located in Antwerp, BE
Stunning 18 kt White Gold Pearl and Diamond Bracelet Diamonds: 75, Total 1.5 Ct Pearls: 75 (size 4.5mm) Material: 18kt white gold ...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
18 Karat Gold White Gold Diamonds Cluster Pave Fashion Bracelet
By Oshi Jewels
Located in Bangkok, TH
18 Karat Gold White Gold Diamonds Cluster Pave Fashion Bracelet This 18K solid White Gold cluster bracelet made with a secure Lobster Clasp. Seem...
Diamond, Gold, White Gold
$27,315Sale Price|20% Off
Exclusive Diamond Fine Jewelry White 18 Karat Gold Bracelet
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Bracelet White Gold 18 K Diamond 318-RND-4,13-G/VS1A Diamond 10-RND-0,08-G/VS1A Diamond 48-RND-0,24-G/VS1A Weight 24,57 grams Length 18 сm Wi...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
18 Karat White Gold Diamond Link Bracelet
By Vitale 1913
Located in Monte-Carlo, MC
18K white gold bracelet is from our Damier collection. This exquisite bracelet is created from beautiful natural white diamonds 7.20 Carat. Total metal weight is 21.0 gr . The bracelet is 18 cm long. This elegant bracelet will be the center of attention of every look. Damier presents unique pieces of high-jewellery with outstanding elegance. The collection finds inspiration from the Japanese...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$1,400Sale Price|30% Off
PANIM Dangling Rosecut Diamond Bracelet 18 Karat White Gold
By PANIM
Located in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
PANIM Dangling Rosecut Diamond Bracelet 18 Karat White Gold Our dangling rose-cut diamond bracelet is extremely wearable. Its versatility and classic design make it a great accompa...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
18.68 Carat Natural Sapphire Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Bracelet
By Roshe Jewels
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous Sapphire & Diamond Bracelet! This Bracelet has 19 Natural Oval Cut Multi Sapphires that weigh 18.04 Carats. It also has 19 Round Cut Diamonds that weigh 0.64 Carats. The t...
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sapphire,...
Diamonds, 18 Karat White Gold Modern Bracelet
Located in Marcianise, CE
Elegant modern bracelet in 18 karat white gold structure mounted with little flower of diamonds. Diamonds 1.34ct Total Weight 6.10 gr Lenght 19 cm RF G HGAH RK.AIHA130 For an...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Crochet Fine Jewelry White Diamond 18 Karat Gold Bracelet
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Bracelet Gold 18 K Diamond 960 Round 57-5,26-4/5A Weight 36,71 gram With a heritage of ancient fine Swiss jewelry traditions, NATKINA is a Geneva based jewellery brand, which creat...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Estate H. Stern Floral Bracelet in 18K Yellow Gold
By H. Stern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous estate H. Stern bracelet handmade in 18k yellow gold. Matching necklace available. Length is 8"+.
Yellow Gold
H.Stern 18k Yellow Gold 3 Silk Strand Flex Chain Bracelet
By H. Stern
Located in Boca Raton, FL
This is an elegant authentic bracelet by H.Stern, crafted from 18k yellow gold featuring silk wrap triple strand flex band attached to the slide bar clasp. Each strand is 4mm wide an...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
H. Stern Contemporary 10 Textured Golden Stones Bracelet 18 Karat Gold, 2010s
By H. Stern
Located in Lisbon, PT
H. Stern Contemporary 10 Textured Golden Stones Bracelet in 18 Karat Yellow Gold, Brazil, Signed, 2010s. Designed as a sequence of ten unevenly shaped t...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Fabulous H. Stern Aquamarine and Diamond Bracelet in 18 Karat White Gold
By H. Stern
Located in Lucerne, CH
This timelessly elegant bracelet by reknown jeweller H. Stern features seven oval shaped aquamarines of high claritiy and vibrant luster. Their total weight is approximately 46.80 ca...
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
H. Stern 18 Karat Yellow Gold Four Strand Bracelet
By H. Stern
Located in Bay Harbor Islands, FL
H. Stern 18 Karat Yellow Gold Four Strand Bracelet. Bracelet Length: 7 Inches Metal Type: 18 Karat Yellow Gold Metal Weight: 16.9 Grams
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
H Stern Imperial Topaz Diamond Gold Bracelet
By H. Stern
Located in South Pasadena, CA
H Stern imperial topaz diamond and gold link bracelet. The ladder-inspired design features baton-shaped, melon-color, imperial topaz beads alter...
Diamond, Topaz, 18k Gold
Gold and Multi-colored Stone Bracelet by H. Stern
By H. Stern
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A stunning multi-colored stone bracelet by H. Stern. The naturalistic freeform ribbed links set with an array of vivid colored gemstones-- pink and green tourmaline, aquamarine,citri...
Tourmaline, Aquamarine, Citrine, Peridot