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.
Stephen Webster Pop Superstud Rose Gold-Plated Silver and Quartz Beaded Necklace
By Stephen Webster
Located in Southampton, PA
Extraordinarily intricate decorative work and tasteful exuberance produce an irresistible allure in this spellbinding rose gold-plated silver necklace from Stephen Webster's "Pop Sup...
Quartz, Gold Plate, Silver
Aria Jewelry Design 18-Inch Madagascar Rose Quartz Beaded Necklace
By Aria Jewelry Design
Located in Raleigh, NC
This elegant 18‑inch Madagascar Rose Quartz necklace showcases a strand of smooth, highly polished 8 mm beads that glow with the stone’s signature soft pink hue. Each bead is care...
Quartz, Silver Plate, Mixed Metal
Rose Quartz Tile and Ruby Beaded Reversible Necklace with Yellow Gold Accents
By Sarosi By Timeless Gems
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This stunning, reversible necklace features 21 beautifully matched, natural pink rose quartz tiles that are accented with gorgeous red rubies and 18k yellow gold beads. The tiles gra...
Quartz, Multi-gemstone, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Carved Rose Quartz And Freshwater Pearl Necklace
Located in Chesterland, OH
The length of the necklace is 17 inches (43 cm). The size of the carved beads is 18 mm. The beads have a delightfully soft, gentle, rose tone. The color is authentic and natural. No thermal or other treatments were used. This necklace alternates beads of quartz with 4 mm natural freshwater pearl beads. The necklace is fastened with a beautiful sterling silver gold pale toggle clasp with a natural freshwater pearl. Necklace weight 160 grams (5.6 oz). Gently rose mineral belongs to the world of feelings and emotions. In the culture of the East, rose quartz is called the “stone of the heart.” Rose quartz evokes gentle, touching sensations and has a romantic, dreamy, refined, and soft aura. This is not loving itself but rather a premonition, the origin of feelings. The ancient people believed that rose quartz sent down the god of love, Eros (Cupid), to Earth. But according to another version, rose quartz is the “juice” of the Earth, which crystallized over many centuries and became a stone. Regular wearing of Rose quartz jewelry...
Freshwater Pearl, Quartz, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Pink Opal Round Beaded Necklace with 18 Carat Rose Gold
Located in Kirschweiler, DE
This Natural Pink Opal Beaded Necklace with 18 Carat Rose Gold is totally handmade. Cutting as well as goldwork are made in German quality. The...
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
$260Sale Price|60% Off
L 31.5 in
Marina J. Rose Quartz & Amethyst Necklace with Gold-Plated Toggle Clasp
By Marina J.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous stone necklace by Marina J. This lovely piece is made using multi shaped Rose Quartz, Amethyst and 14k Gold Plated Silver Vermeil findings. Due to their translucent nature, ...
Amethyst, Quartz, Gold Plate, Silver
$280Sale Price|30% Off
L 21 in
Marina J. Rose Quartz, Amethyst and Silver Rhodium-Plated Beaded Necklace
By Marina J.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing stone necklace by Marina J. This lovely piece is made with multi shaped and faceted Amethysts, Rose Quartz, Pink Aquamarine and Rhodium plated Silver findings all strung toge...
Amethyst, Quartz, Rhodium, Silver
Alex Jona Lapis Quartz Amethyst Silver Beaded Rondelle Necklace
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, Lapis, Quartz Amethyst Necklace (57 cm long) with satin finished silver clasp. Necklace dimensions: 0.53 in W/ 22.44 in L 13.42 mm...
Amethyst, Lapis Lazuli, Quartz, Silver
Rose Quartz Gold necklace
By Giulia Colussi
Located in Milan, IT
Amazing rose quartz and Indian Gold beads necklace 18k gold gr. 6,90. All Giulia Colussi jewelry is new and has never been previously owned or worn. ...
Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold
Artisan 19" Madagascar Rose Quartz & Tourmaline Beaded Necklace, USA
By Aria Jewelry Design
Located in Raleigh, NC
This exquisite necklace is a stunning statement piece made from natural mauve pink Madagascar rose quartz, known for its gentle, soothing color and energy. Each nugget is highly poli...
Quartz, Tourmaline, Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Plated Gold Bead Necklace
Located in New York, NY
8mm Beaded Link Necklace Sterling Silver Weight: 26 Grams 18 inches length. Comfortable clasp
Sterling Silver
Vintage Art Deco Smoky Quartz Beaded Necklace with Gold-Plated Clasp
Located in Chesterland, OH
This is a magnificent vintage smoky quartz necklace that is sure to captivate. Large 16-17 mm faceted beads, strung on a silk thread, play and shimmer, drawing the eye. The piece, me...
Quartz, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
14K Rose Gold Beaded Necklace with Quartz and Pearls, Italian Design
Located in Dallas, TX
Wear it as one long strand, knot it or double it for 3 different looks! This Italian stunner is in 14 karat rose gold, which is lovely with the beads, quartz and pearls.
Pearl, Quartz, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Stephen Webster Jewels Verne Womens Blackend Silver and Pearl Sautoir Necklace
By Stephen Webster
Located in Southampton, PA
Standing out in magnificent fashion against the exquisitely shaped chain made of captivating black rhodium-plated silver, the splendid pearls lend their tender appeal to this fantast...
Pearl, Silver
Stephen Webster Pop Superstud Rose Gold-Plated Silver and Quartz Beaded Necklace
By Stephen Webster
Located in Southampton, PA
Extraordinarily intricate decorative work and tasteful exuberance produce an irresistible allure in this spellbinding rose gold-plated silver necklace from Stephen Webster's "Pop Sup...
Quartz, Gold Plate, Silver