Betony Vernon "O'Ring Navel Piercing" Piercing 18 Karat Gold in Stock
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Stone:
- Stone Cut:
- Style:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:2017
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Rome, IT
- Reference Number:
Betony Vernon
The paradigm shift took place over lunch in Florence, Italy, circa 1992. Betony Vernon, a striking flame-haired jewelry designer, was showing off her most recent creation: the 18-karat-gold O-ring, designed with a nod to a bondage collar, with a smaller ring affixed to its front.
Playfully, Vernon's partner put his pinky through the smaller ring as she donned the larger one. Then, the unexpected happened. “There was an electric impulse running through this piece,” she recalls. “We both felt it.” The feeling changed her life. “That was the moment I knew that jewelry can provide sensation and reinforce an intimate bond.”
Enabling others to experience electric moments like that — to “bring luxury, fantasy and sensual possibilities to the fine-jewelry world” — has been Vernon's aim ever since. “Sex and luxury were never associated,” she noticed, and the jewelry designer set out to change that. The result was her 1992 Sado-Chic collection, which became the Paradise Found collection.
Vernon grew up in Virginia and studied art history, religion and goldsmithing at Virginia Commonwealth University. Following her graduation in 1990, she moved to Florence, later earning a master’s in industrial design from the Domus Academy in Milan. Europe has been home ever since.
Vernon's designs are provocative, sexy. But if you look no further than that, you’re missing a much bigger (and more interesting) point. Vernon’s rings, necklaces, bracelets and other accessories represent a vital part of what she sees as her life’s mission.
“Pleasure,” she explains, “has been associated with sin, wrongness and naughtiness, not with joy, happiness and bonding.” Vernon has set out to demolish that “pleasure taboo.”
So, how is pleasure reflected in the design of Vernon's jewelry (and remember, we are talking sensuality not sexuality)? Early in the design process, she asks, “How many senses can I turn on?” Every detail relates to a sensual experience.
That crisp snap a clasp makes when opening or closing? A pleasure to the ear.
The softness and spring of noble metals, silver and gold? A pleasure to the touch.
And always, Vernon believes, jewelry embodies memory, legacy. A pleasure for the soul.
Find a collection of Betony Vernon jewelry on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Amelia, Italy
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Betony Vernon "O-Ring Navel Piercing" Piercing 18K Gold Pavée DiamondBy Betony VernonLocated in Rome, ITThe "O-Ring Navel Piercing" was designed by Betony Vernon in 1997 and handcrafted in lost wax elements. It is a stunning body safe alternative to tradit...Category
1990s Italian Contemporary More Jewelry
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold
- Betony Vernon "O'Ring Cuff Mini" Bracelet 18 Karat Gold in StockBy Betony VernonLocated in Rome, ITThe "O'Ring Cuff mini" Bracelet was designed by Betony Vernon in 1992 and manufactured in lost wax elements. Paradise Found collectors have appreciated the "O'Ring" collection over the years for its symbolic and aesthetic appeal as well as for its functional purpose. The ball-and-ring mechanism...Category
1990s Italian Contemporary Cuff Bracelets
Materials18k Gold, Gold
- Betony Vernon "O'Ring Band Medium Ring" Ring 18 Karat Gold in StockBy Betony VernonLocated in Rome, ITThe "O'Ring Band Medium Ring" was designed by Betony Vernon in 1992 and manufactured in lost wax elements. The"O'Ring Band Medium Ring" is part of a timeless signature Betony Vernon's series. Collectors appreciate the "O'Ring Band Medium Ring" for its symbolic and aesthetic appeal, as well as for its functional purpose. The ball-and-ring O'Ring mechanism...Category
1990s Italian Contemporary Band Rings
Materials18k Gold
- Betony Vernon "O'Ring Mini Earrings" 18 Karat GoldBy Betony VernonLocated in Rome, ITThe "O'Ring Mini Earrings" were designed by Betony Vernon in 1992. The "O'Ring Mini Earrings" are a timeless classic of BV Jewelry. They are appreciated ...Category
1990s Italian Contemporary Hoop Earrings
MaterialsGold, 18k Gold
- Betony Vernon "O'Ring Band Large Diamond Pavée" Ring 18 Karat Gold in StockBy Betony VernonLocated in Rome, ITThe "O'Ring Band Large Diamond Pavée" ring was designed by Betony Vernon in 1992 and manufactured in lost wax elements. The "O'Ring Band Large Diamond Pavée" ring is part of a timele...Category
1990s Italian Contemporary Band Rings
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, Gold
- Betony Vernon "O'Ring Band Medium Diamond Pavée" Ring 18 Karat Gold in StockBy Betony VernonLocated in Rome, ITThe "O'Ring Band Medium Diamond Pavée" ring was designed by Betony Vernon in 1992 and manufactured in lost wax elements. This ring is part of a timeless signature BV Sado-Chic series. Collectors appreciate the "O'Ring Band Medium Diamond Pavée" for its symbolic and aesthetic appeal, as well as for its functional purpose. The ball-and-ring mechanism...Category
1990s Italian Contemporary Band Rings
MaterialsDiamond, Gold, 18k Gold
- Ladies Yellow Gold Pave Diamond 18 Karat Watch In StockLocated in Boca Raton, FLMaterial: 18k Yellow Gold Dial: Pave Diamond Dial Bezel: 18k Yellow Gold Smooth Bezel Bracelet: 18k Yellow Gold Diamond Bracelet Clasp: Cuff Style Bracelet Movement: Automatic Size: ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- 14k Gold Lily Nose Piercing Minimalist Nose Ear Body Piercing Birthday Nose RingLocated in Chicago, IL14k Gold Lily Nose Piercing Minimalist Nose Ear Body Piercing Birthday Nose Ring Certifiation: 14K Hallmarked Metal: Yellow Gold Metal Purity: 14k Post Lengt...Category
2010s Indian Art Deco More Jewelry
MaterialsGold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Diamond & Sapphire Pave Belt Buckle 18 Karat in StockLocated in Boca Raton, FLMaterial: 18k White Gold Gemstone Details: Round cut Diamonds and Sapphire stones Measurements: 50mm x 15mm x 50mm Total Weight: 40.5g (25dwt) Additional Details: This item comes wi...Category
21st Century and Contemporary North American Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold, 18k Gold
- 1.13 Carat Diamond Butterfly Necklace 18 Karat in StockLocated in Boca Raton, FLMaterial: 18k White Gold Diamond Details: Approx. 1.13ctw of Pave set Baguette and Round Cut Diamonds. Diamonds are G/H in color and VS in clarity Clasps: Lobster Claw Clasp Total We...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
- 2.3 Carat Halo Diamond Stud Earrings 18 Karat in StockLocated in Boca Raton, FLMaterial: 18K White Gold Diamond Details: The main Diamonds are approx. 1.95ctw and the Diamonds in the halo are approx. 0.35ctw. All diamonds are G/H in color and SI in clarity Tota...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Stud Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Cartier Clé de Cartier Diamond Watch 18 Karat in StockBy CartierLocated in Boca Raton, FLBrand: Cartier Model: Clé de Cartier Case Material: 18k Yellow Gold Case Diameter: 35mm Dial: Off-White Roman Dial Bezel: Diamond Bezel Bracelet: 18k Ye...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold