1996 Stephen Dweck Gemstone Bronze Toggle Bracelet

Stephen Dweck is known as the “romancer of the stones” for his bold use of faceted gemstones and semiprecious stones in silver settings. The Brooklyn-born jeweler is inspired by a deep love of nature, handpicking gemstones and minerals, such as moonstones and white quartz, from around the world to create colorful, sculptural necklaces, earrings and other pieces that have been worn by the likes of Drew Barrymore and Barbara Walters.

“I use stones as an artist works with paints,” Dweck once told Robb Report. By selecting stones for their color, shape and other features, rather than just their value, no two pieces are alike, and each reflects a distinctive vision.

Dweck, who studied sculpture at the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York, founded his eponymous house with a collection of stone bangles in 1981. He continues to operate his family-run business in the working-class neighborhood of Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. While his rings and other accessories can be found in major department stores like Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus, he also consults with clients on special commissions from his atelier. Among his most unique details are the small “Adam” silver and bronze beetles that often adorn his pieces.

Despite being a relative newcomer to the scene — a few decades of operation is the blink of an eye in the jewelry world — Dweck’s pieces are already in impressive collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., and the Dallas Museum of Art in Texas. They’ve also been seen on screen in such shows as Fox’s Empire.

Find a collection of vintage Stephen Dweck jewelry on 1stDibs.