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Stephen Webster

British, b. 1959

Iconic British jeweler Stephen Webster MBE shook everything up when he introduced his Crystal Haze rings in 1995.

The jewelry landscape was almost barren during the 1990s. Fashion dictated minimalism, and stars treading the red carpet wore Armani gowns in earth tones with very few sparkling accessories. Elsa Peretti’s little diamond solitaire necklace for Tiffany & Co. was in vogue. And the gold Cartier Panthère watch was the only item many female stars wore.

The seismic shift was sparked in 2000 when Madonna attended a party for the premiere of her movie The Next Best Thing wearing the Crystal Haze ring. She had purchased it directly from Webster, to whom she’d been introduced by a friend. Pictures of the star singer’s outing popped up seemingly everywhere — on her index finger, Webster’s Crystal Haze ring was so much bigger and bolder than the styles most celebrities were wearing at the time. The press coverage snowballed in the months and years to come as other celebrities, including Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera and Pink, were spotted in the now-immediately recognizable jewel.

This massive success came to Webster when he was in his 30s, not long after he launched his label, in 1989, but the design was the culmination of a lifetime of experience. At the tender age of 16, Webster found his calling when he toured Medway College of Design in Rochester, England, with a career counselor. He was immediately attracted to the jewelry department, which was “noisy, slightly grubby and lit with orangey, naked flames.” After graduating, he worked for a few years as a bench jeweler in London and the resort town of Banff, in Alberta, Canada, finally settling in Santa Barbara, California.

The luxurious, laid-back style of the city, nicknamed the American Riviera, opened Webster’s eyes to the possibility of a kind of jewelry different from the traditional designs that defined the field in England. He began working with semiprecious stones, an integral element of the Crystal Haze line. The Santa Barbara community embraced the colors and was open to lesser-known gems in fine jewelry, such as apple-green chrysoprase, lavender chalcedony and Peruvian pink opal.

The idea for the Crystal Haze ring came to Webster when he was having lapidaries in Idar-Oberstein, Germany, cut rock crystal into special shapes for big brooches. He wanted to create statement jewels in which two gems cut into a narrow arc would curve over the finger in a gold ring. The contour and connecting of the stones required a couple of years of development, some innovative thinking and plenty of expertise.

Today, Webster’s stores dot the globe, and he has a long list of illustrious collectors. The many lines he has produced over the years — from Vertigo and Dynamite to Fly By Night and Jewels Verne — display the same qualities that characterize Crystal Haze: bold, edgy designs, beautifully manufactured.

Find Stephen Webster rings, earrings, necklaces and other jewelry on 1stDibs.

Average Sold Price
$5,458
Styles
Related Creators
Stephen Webster Amethyst Crystal Haze Gold Struck 18ct Rose Gold Pendant
By Stephen Webster
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
RRP £5,450 CONDITION OF THE ITEM Never worn XUPES REFERENCE COMJ404 MANUFACTURER Stephen Webster MODEL Crystal haze GENDER Woman ACCOMPANIED BY Xupes Presentation box CHAIN WIDTH 0.9...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Stephen Webster

Materials

Amethyst, Rose Gold

Stephen Webster 18 Karat Gold 1.07 Carat Diamonds Flower Pendant Ledies Necklace
By Stephen Webster
Located in New York, NY
Stephen Webster, the London-based luxury jewellery brand internationally heralded for its exquisite and cutting edge designs continues to flourish under its founder and creative dire...
Category

2010s Unknown Modern Stephen Webster

Materials

Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold

Stephen Webster 18 Karat Gold Crystal Haze Gold Struck Green Agate Earrings
By Stephen Webster
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
This Earrings by Stephen Webster are from his Crystal Haze Gold Struck Collection and features Two Green Agate set sections Totalling 14.10cts Surrounded with mixed cut Green Tourmal...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Stephen Webster

Materials

Agate, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Stephen Webster FLY BY NIGHT Crystal Haze Large Cocktail Ring
By Stephen Webster
Located in San Fernando, CA
STEPHEN WEBSTER The Crystal Haze Large Cocktail Ring is a signature of the Fly By Night collection. Set with mesmerizing Black Opalescent Crystal Haze and Black Diamond pavé, the des...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Stephen Webster

Materials

Crystal, 18k Gold

Contemporary Sterling Silver ID Bracelet by Jewellery Designer, Stephen Webster
By Stephen Webster
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
An imposing silver ID bracelet by the renowned jewellery designer, Stephen Webster. In a contemporary take on the ID bracelet, this design features...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Stephen Webster

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Stephen Webster Ruby, Diamond and Tahitian Pearl 'Playing Cards' Drop Earrings
By Stephen Webster
Located in London, GB
These gorgeous ruby, diamond and Tahitian pearl Stephen Webster drops are the ultimate statement earrings. Crafted out of 18ct yellow gold, these diamond and ruby-set playing card themed earrings are truly unique. Seven gorgeous diamonds are grain and rub-over set into spade and club motifs, while 11 striking rubies are grain-set into diamond and heart motifs finished in oxidised gold (black coloured gold) to create a beautiful contrasting heaven-and-hell look. The earrings are beautifully put together using S shaped hooks...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Stephen Webster

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold

Stephen Webster Tanzanite Diamonds Ring Signed Yellow Gold 18K, 2010
By Stephen Webster
Located in Herzelia, Tel Aviv
Stephen Webster Tanzanite and Diamonds Ring Signed 18K Yellow Gold. The design of the ring is really impressive with natural motives and fine Diamonds incorporated beautifully into ...
Category

2010s Stephen Webster

Materials

Diamond, Tanzanite, Yellow Gold

Stephen Webster Quartz and Diamond 18 Carat White Gold Pendant and Chain
By Stephen Webster
Located in London, GB
This exquisite necklace by British jewellery designer, Stephen Webster showcases a wonderful Art Deco inspired pendant, beautifully set with a 20x5mm rectangular multi faceted quartz...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Stephen Webster

Materials

Diamond, Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

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Creators Similar to Stephen Webster

Stephen Webster jewelry & watches for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a range of Stephen Webster jewelry & watches available on 1stDibs. Each of these unique items was designed with extraordinary care, often using silver. While looking for the most stylish antique or vintage Stephen Webster jewelry to pair with your ensemble, you’ll find that Stephen Webster quartz jewelry & watches, from our inventory of 12, can add a particularly distinctive touch to your look. We have 19 pieces in this collection as well as a number of other designs by this jeweler.

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