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.
Rare H Stern Pearl Necklace With GIA Report Akoya Pearls
By H. Stern
Located in Media, PA
This elegant H. Stern necklace is a refined addition to any jewelry collection. Crafted with 18k gold, this beaded necklace showcases a double strand of round, white cultured pearls....
Cultured Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold
H. Stern 18Kt Gold Massive Necklace with 2550 Ctw Faceted Greenish Smokey Quartz
By H. Stern
Located in Miami, FL
An statement necklace designed by H. Stern. Very modern and massive piece designed by the Brazilian jewelry house of H. Stern. Is composed by 19 oversized faceted beads of natural Brazilian Greenish-Smokey quartz and suited with a 18 karats yellow gold lobster lock. The estimate combined total weight of the gemstones are 2,550 carats. Have a total weight of 520.2 grams and a length of 30.25 inches (76.8 Cm). Stamped with the maker's mark and the assay hallmarks, "S 18 kt .750". Hans Stern...
Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$856Sale Price|20% Off
Akoya Pearl Necklace 14k Yellow Gold Certified
By Enrico Kassini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fine Quality Akoya Pearl Necklace 14k Yellow Gold 16" 8 mm Certified $3,590 113102 This is a Unique Custom Made Glamorous Piece of Jewelry Nothing says, “I Lo...
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$672Sale Price|20% Off
Akoya Pearl Necklace 14k White Gold Certified
By Enrico Kassini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fine Quality 7.5 nm Japanese Akoya Pearl 16 inch Necklace with a 14k Yellow Gold clasp Certified $2,950 110696 This is one of Kind Unique Custom Made Glamorous Piece of Jewelry!...
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Art Deco GIA Long South Sea & Akoya Pearl Enamel Diamond Platinum 18K Necklace
Located in New York, NY
GIA LONG 40" SOUTH SEA & AKOYA CULTURE PEARL PLATINUM & 18K YELLOW GOLD NECKLACE W/ BLACK ENAMEL & 4.20CT DIAMOND RONDELLES. Among all the pieces of jewelry, there exists one that possesses a remarkable versatility. It complements a wide range of outfits, suits various social events, and is a must-have for any woman's collection. Living up to the famous quote “a woman needs ropes and ropes of pearls”, this impressive long pearl necklace is a classic example of the statement-making "endless" rope pearls that were popular with Coco Chanel and were a staple of the 1920s flapper look. This timeless piece is the pearl necklace, a cherished companion from the beginning to the end of our lives. A stunning, circa 1920s, GIA certified endless pearl necklace...
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, ...
Massive Faceted Pastel Quartz Statement Beads
Located in New York, NY
Massive Faceted Quartz Beads from the 1990's. A statement necklace of large rock crystal faceted beads in varied hues of pale blue, pink and crystal. Very unusual but also quite heav...
Quartz, Rock Crystal
$3,880Sale Price|20% Off
L 25 in
Midcentury Pearl Necklace with Jade Clasp Luxury Cultured Akoya Pearls
Located in Northampton, MA
This pearl necklace features a certified jade clasp that has been certified natural and untreated. The creamy-white -almost golden- pearls average a luxurio...
Jade, Pearl, 14k Gold
Unique necklace that turns into bangle black diamonds 18KT gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
This is one of a kind necklace that turns into a bangle, made with 18KT gold and black diamonds with a magnetic string that runs in the middle which allows you to wear it either as a...
Black Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Marco Bicego Paradise Collection 18kt Yellow & White Gold Lariat Necklace
By Marco Bicego
Located in Philadelphia, PA
"Marco Bicego Paradise Collection 18kt Yellow & White Gold Lariat Necklace with Diamonds and Multi-Color Gemstones A striking and luxurious necklace from the renowned Marco Bicego Pa...
Diamond, Multi-gemstone, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Impossibly Rare Akoya “Twin Pearl” Necklace, 16" 18k Gold 1950s
Located in Northampton, MA
An extraordinary offering for the serious pearl collector or Akoya connoisseur: this midcentury (circa 1950s) 16" necklace is composed entirely of exceedingly rare twin Akoya pearls—...
Pearl, 18k Gold
Akoya Pearl Necklace 14k Gold Women Certified
By Enrico Kassini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fine Quality Akoya Pearl Necklace 7.65-7.85 mm 14k Gold 19" Women Certified $1,850 721769 This is a Unique Custom Made Glamorous Piece of Jewelry Nothing says, “I Love you” more than Diamonds and Pearls! This Akoya pearl necklace has been Certified, Inspected, and Appraised by Gemological Appraisal Laboratory Gemological Appraisal Laboratory of America is a proud member of: - GIA Alumni Association - National Association of Jewelry Appraisers - International Consortium Gem-Testing Laboratories - Gemological Association of Great Britain TRUSTED SELLER SINCE 2002 PLEASE SEE OUR HUNDREDS OF POSITIVE FEEDBACKS FROM OUR CLIENTS ALL CERTIFICATIONS ARE DONE ACCORDING TO GIA STANDARDS PLEASE SEE ATTACHED CERTIFICATE AND APPRAISAL FOR DETAILS FREE PRIORITY SHIPPING DETAILS Stone: Fine Quality Japanese Akoya Pearl Pearl Shape: Round Pearl Color: White Overtone: Rose Luster: Exceptional Surface: Very Lightly Blemished Quality: AAA No. of Pearls: 7 Pearl Measurements: 7.65 - 7.85 mm Stamped: 14K SFG Length: 19 Inches Weight: 6.385 Grams Metal: 14k White Gold This magnificent Akoya pearl gold necklace...
Cultured Pearl, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Pearl Necklace Mikimoto Akoya Pearl 18 Karat Gold
By Mikimoto
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Japanese saltwater cultured Akoya pearl necklace with 18-karat yellow gold clasp from luxury jewelry Maison, Mikimoto, circa 21st century, Japan. This stand, with beautif...
Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
Important Lemon Quartz Diamond Sapphire necklace 18KT gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
One of a kind necklace with center lemon quartz, natural sapphires and diamonds, absolutely stunning hand craftmanship like no other. All details below, conflict free natural diamond...
Diamond, Quartz, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
$959Sale Price|20% Off
Akoya Pearl Necklace 14k Yellow Gold Certified
By Enrico Kassini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fine Quality 8.5 mm Akoya Pearl 16 inch Strand Necklace with a 14k Yellow Gold Clasp Certified $3,950 111841 This is a Unique Custom Made Glamorous Piece of Jewelry Nothing says,...
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
H. Stern 18k Yellow Gold Topaz Crystal Rough Bead Necklace
By H. Stern
Located in New York, NY
This vintage H. Stern necklace showcases a stunning strand of lightly polished rough topaz crystal beads, offering a harmonious balance between raw natural texture and subtle refinem...
Crystal, Topaz, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
Estate H. Stern Green Stone and Diamond Necklace in 18k Yellow Gold
By H. Stern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Estate H. Stern necklace featuring 7 green stones and 0.15 ct. good quality white emerald cut diamond. Handmade in 18k yellow gold.
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Sold
H 2.75 in W 0.25 in L 17.5 in
Vintage H. Stern 18K Yellow Gold Bead Necklace w/ Feather Leaves Pendant
By H. Stern
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Vintage H. Stern 18K Yellow Gold Bead Necklace w/ Feather Leaves Pendant Product details: 18K yellow gold round square beads necklace, e...
Yellow Gold