Betony Vernon "O'Ring Choker" Medium Necklace 18 Karat Gold and Sterling Silver
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Weight:53 g
- Dimensions:Height: 0.6 in (15 mm)
- Style:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:2021
- 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 Choker Medium" Necklace Silver 925 in StockBy Betony VernonLocated in Rome, ITThe "O'Ring Choker Medium" is part of the collection Sado-Chic, the term Betony Vernon coined to name her first fine erotic jewelry designs in 1992. T...Category
1990s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Betony Vernon "O'Ring Choker Mini" Necklace Silver 925By Betony VernonLocated in Rome, ITThe "O'Ring Choker Mini" is part of the collection Sado-Chic, the term Betony Vernon coined to name her first fine erotic jewelry designs in 1992. The...Category
1990s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsSilver, Sterling Silver
- Betony Vernon "O'Ring Slave Choker" Necklace Silver 925 in StockBy Betony VernonLocated in Rome, ITThe timeless "O-Ring" signature pieces from Betony Vernon's collection have been appreciated by collectors since 1992 for their symbolic and aesthetic appeal. This bold version of th...Category
1990s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsSterling Silver, Silver
- Betony Vernon "O'Ring Chain Medium Bracelet" Sterling Silver 925By Betony VernonLocated in Rome, ITThe "O'Ring Chain Medium Bracelet" was designed by Betony Vernon in 2005 and handcrafted in lost wax element in Sterling Silver 925 in 2018. The timeless "O'Ring Chain Medium Bracele...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Bracelets
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Betony Vernon "O'ring Band Medium Ring" Ring Sterling Silver 925By 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'...Category
1990s Italian Contemporary Band Rings
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Betony Vernon "O'Ring Chain Medium Necklace" Sterling Silver 925 in StockBy Betony VernonLocated in Rome, ITThe "O'Ring Chain Medium Necklace" was designed by Betony Vernon in 1992 and handcrafted in lost wax element in Sterling Silver 925 in 2018. The timeless "O'Ring Chain Medium Necklace" has been long appreciated for its symbolic and aesthetic appeal, as well as for its functional purpose. The "O'Ring Chain Medium Necklace" has a double hook on each side of the chain, that serves to put all sorts of BV Attachments and Pendants close to your heart, at hand’s reach...Category
1990s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
MaterialsSterling Silver
- John Hardy 18 Karat and Sterling Silver NecklaceBy John HardyLocated in West Palm Beach, FL18k Yellow gold & Sterling Silver 18in long 925 sterling silver chain 54.21grams 3mm chain 2.94"L x 1.38"W x 0.25"H Pendant This John Hardy sterling silver...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsCitrine, Garnet, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
- Dragonfly Brooch Pin Enamel Sterling Silver and 18 Karat Gold and NecklaceLocated in Brooklyn, NYVINTAGE DRAGONFLY BROOCH PIN / NECKLACE Hand made in Spain with brilliant colors of Enamel Sterling Silver 925 (oxidized) and plus 18K Yellow ...Category
1990s Spanish Art Nouveau Brooches
MaterialsGold, Sterling Silver, Yellow Gold, Enamel
- David Yurman Sterling Silver and 18 Karat Yellow Gold Double Heart NecklaceBy David YurmanLocated in Washington Depot, CTVintage David Yurman Sterling Silver and 18 Karat Yellow Gold Double Heart Necklace- This romantic double heart necklace by David Yurman is craf...Category
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsYellow Gold, Sterling Silver
- 18 Karat Rose Gold, Sterling Silver, and Rusted Iron Heart Necklace with RubiesBy Llyn strongLocated in Greenville, SC"Heaven Sent Heart" is a 2021 Unbreakable Heart Necklace made of 18k yellow and rose gold, oxidized sterling silver, and stabilized rusted iron, and set with .24 total carats of roun...Category
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsRuby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Sterling Silver
- John Hardy Sterling Silver and 18 Karat Gold Diamond Pave Slide Pendant NecklaceBy John HardyLocated in Scottsdale, AZThis incredible diamond pave pendant & classic chain was designed by John Hardy. Inspired by Bali and its time-honored jewelry-making traditions, John Hardy was founded in 1975 with ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
- Nouveau Enamel Pendant Sterling Silver and 18 Karat GoldLocated in Brooklyn, NYVintage Hand made in Spain Enamel pendant Oxidized Sterling Silver and 18k Yellow Gold (in the flowers) approx size 1' inch has few small ruby, sapphir...Category
Early 2000s Spanish Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel