Next to intricate chandelier earrings, the sight of rings—from gargantuan cocktail rings to dainty fine jewelry—pulls me in like a moth to a flame.
Unlike other adornments, rings, more often than not, are symbolic, making them even more appealing. From girlhood friendship rings to precious wedding rings, that pretty little thing wrapped around your finger can tell a tale or two with just a fleeting glance from you.
H.Stern shares the colorful story behind each collection of rings set with gemstones, and crafted into fine jewelry.
The brand seeks unlikely inspirations to create unique pieces. A cobblestone-inspired line features rings with irregularly shaped stones reminiscent of cobblestone street in Rua das Pedras, Brazil, while the brand’s Copernicus collection echoes the fascinating work of astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. Formed by golden nets and stars of noble gold (a unique alloy of metals creating a neutral tone that’s neither white nor yellow gold) and diamonds, these creations take the shape of hollow spheres.
One of H. Stern’s most celebrated collections, Golden Stones, is well known for its jewels in organic shapes, reminiscent of round and irregularly shaped rocks found in riverbeds. The line highlights jewels made of 18K yellow gold with textured finish, with versions featuring clear cabochon-cut rock crystals or white pavé-set diamonds.
Interpreting other off-kilter ideas in elegant jewelry, H.Stern turns to the Brazilian dance troupe Grupo Corpo. The eponymous collection consists of modern jewels fashioned after the human body-in-movement.
Sinuous lines
The modern dance is represented with contrasting textures and sinuous lines. Yellow and noble gold were used in the collection, brushed, matted or grooved; gemstones were kept monochromatic, using one gem in a subtle color gradient or two gems of similar hues—rings of blue topaz, citrine, garnet and amethyst, and cognac diamonds.
The brand’s fascination for organic and sinuous forms is evident also in the H.Stern Collection by Oscar Niemeyer, Brazil’s most renowned architect. As curves define the architect’s style, H.Stern does the same with gold and diamonds in the collection, composed of six different lines: Brasilia, Pampulha, Copan, Sketch, Curves and Flower.
Apart from curving contours, empty spaces—so prized by the architect in his concrete sculptures—are also reflected in the jewelry. Rings emphasize simple lines, interspersed with empty spaces.
For the first time, Niemeyer himself approved a jewelry collection created in his honor, and based on his own sketches, his curved lines. “The people who made these jewels are very talented!” said the architect.
