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 Gold Brazilian Rainbow Gemstone Line Bracelet, 27.6 Carats, 1990s
By H. Stern
Located in Miami, FL
A refined and colorful bracelet by the renowned Brazilian house H. Stern, crafted in solid 18 karat yellow gold and set with an elegant sequence of vibrant natural gemstones. The des...
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Garnet, Iolite, Peridot, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Yel...
$4,980 / item
W 0.22 in L 6.89 in
18K Yellow Gold 4 MM Square Cut Rainbow Gemstones Tennis Line Pride Bracelet
By Vaibhav Dhadda
Located in Jaipur, Rajasthan
18 karat gold 4mm squares natural multicolor rainbow gemstone tennis line pride bracelet. This classy and elegant rainbow multicolor gemstone tennis bracelet is eternal. The tennis ...
Multi-gemstone, Other, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
12.25 Carat Square Multi Color Gemstone 18k Yellow Gold Bracelet
Located in Stamford, CT
Multi-gemstone 18k yellow gold tennis bracelet. Approximately 12.25 carats of well matched and blended natural square cut gemstones of different rich colors including quartz. 8 green...
Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet, Multi-gemstone, Tourmaline, Blue Topaz, Gold,...
$6,000Sale Price / item|20% Off
W 0.23 in L 7.5 in
18.63 Carats Oval Rainbow Moonstone Tennis Bracelet Crafted in 18k Yellow Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
This 18.63 Carats Oval Rainbow Moonstone Tennis Bracelet in 18K gold showcases 18.63 carats endlessly sparkling natural rainbow moonstone. It measures 7.5 inches long in length. Rai...
Moonstone, Rainbow Moonstone, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
H. Stern 18 Karat Yellow Gold Multi-Colored Rainbow Gemstone Link Bracelet
By H. Stern
Located in Baltimore, MD
H. Stern Vintage 18 Karat Yellow Gold Multi-Colored Rainbow Gemstone Link Bracelet Metal: 18k yellow gold Weight: 22.78 grams Length: 7.5 inches Width: 6.8mm Gemstones: 6 x 8mm oval...
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Garnet, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$4,305Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Circa 1990s 18k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Tennis Bracelet
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
A vintage tennis bracelet in 18k gold, circa 1990s, set with natural diamonds totaling approximately 1.40 carats (G-H color, VVS-VS clarity). Total weight: 11.3 grams Condition: ver...
Diamond, 18k Gold
$3,980 / item
W 0.22 in L 6.5 in
14K Yellow Gold 4 MM Square Cut Rainbow Gemstones Tennis Line Pride Bracelet
By Vaibhav Dhadda
Located in Jaipur, Rajasthan
14 karat gold 4mm squares natural multicolor rainbow gemstone tennis line pride bracelet. This classy and elegant rainbow multicolor gemstone tennis bracelet is eternal. The tennis ...
Multi-gemstone, Other, Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet, Peridot, Tourmaline, B...
$2,800 / item
W 0.12 in L 6.7 in
14K Gold 5x3 MM Octagon Cut Rainbow Gemstones Prong Set Tennis Line Bracelet
By Vaibhav Dhadda
Located in Jaipur, Rajasthan
This 14K White Gold Rainbow Gemstone Tennis Line Bracelet is a radiant celebration of color, elegance, and masterful craftsmanship. Featuring a continuous row of 5x3mm octagon-cut ge...
Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet, Peridot, Tourmaline, Blue Topaz, Rhodolite, 1...
$2,860 / item
W 0.12 in L 7.01 in
14 Karat Yellow Gold 5X3 MM Octagon Rainbow Gemstones Pride Tennis Line Bracelet
By Vaibhav Dhadda
Located in Jaipur, Rajasthan
14 karat yellow gold 5x3mm octagon rainbow gemstones pride tennis line bracelet. Indulge in timeless elegance with our captivating 5x3 mm Octagon Multicolor Gemstones Tennis Line Br...
Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet, Multi-gemstone, Peridot, Topaz, Tourmaline, R...
Vintage 1990's Rainbow Gemstone Tennis Bracelet 14k Yellow Gold
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Circa 1990's. Rainbow tennis bracelet with garnet, citrine, peridot and amethyst gemstones set in 14k yellow gold. Really vibrant and fun bracelet that will make you happy every time...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$11,330Sale Price / item|20% Off
W 0.27 in L 7 in
18K White Gold Semi-Precious Gemstone Diamond Bracelet
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Bracelets are worn to enhance the look. Women love to look good. It is common to see a woman rocking a lovely gold bracelet on her wrist. A gold gemstone bracelet is the ultimate statement piece for every stylish woman. A tennis bracelet is an essential piece of jewelry when it comes to your wedding day. The sleek and elegant style complements the attire beautifully, whether it's the bride wearing it herself, or as a gift to her bridesmaids to wear on the D’day. Semi precious gemstone bracelet...
Diamond, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Garnet, Peridot, White Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Tennis Bracelet with Multicolor Gemstones 7 Inch 18.7g
Located in New York, NY
Detailed Description: Capture the essence of retro elegance with this vintage 18 Karat yellow gold tennis bracelet. Featuring a vibrant array of multicolor stones, this 7-inch piece ...
Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet, Peridot, Topaz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Yellow Gold Gemstone Bezel Set Line Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
Elevate your wrist with the exquisite beauty of this 18K Yellow Gold Diamond, Emerald, and Ruby Bezel Set Tennis Bracelet. A harmonious blend of vibrant gemstones and brilliant diamo...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$4,773Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Circa 1990s 18k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Tennis Bracelet
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
A vintage tennis bracelet in 18k gold, circa 1990s, set with natural diamonds totaling approximately 2.62 carats (G-H color, VVS1-VS1 clarity). Total weight: 15.3 grams Condition: v...
Diamond, 18k Gold
$7,990Sale Price / item|20% Off
W 0.13 in L 7 in
8.9 Carat Rainbow Sapphire Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Tennis Bracelet
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
This 8.9 Carat Rainbow Sapphire Diamond Tennis Bracelet in 18K gold showcases endlessly sparkling natural multi sapphires of 8.9 carats and 0.2 carats of diamond. It measures 7 inche...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Assorted Semi Precious Color Gemstones Bracelet set in 18K Gold Settings
Located in Bangkok, TH
Assorted Semi Precious Color Gemstones 18.22 carats Bracelet set in 18K Gold Settings Width: 0.5 cm Length: 19.0 cm Total Weight: 14.0 grams "We first opened doors in 1980 when it...
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Garnet, Iolite, Peridot, Tourmaline, Blue...
Sold
H 0.21 in W 0.32 in L 7.5 in
H. Stern 58.66 Carat Blue Topaz Line Bracelet with Diamond Star 18 Karat Gold
By H. Stern
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Breathtaking bright blue topaz tennis bracelet by H. Stern. This gorgeous tennis bracelet features an impressive 58.65 carats total of sparkling natural blue topaz stones, bright ice...
Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold