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.
Betony Vernon "Venus Cuff" Bracelet Sterling Silver 925
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The “Venus Cuff” was designed by Betony Vernon in 1997 to fit snuggly onto the wrist. This piece celebrates the feminine and it is an emblematic invitation to express your sensual se...
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Pierced Chain Bracelet" Sterling 925 Bracelet in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "Pierced Chain Bracelet" was designed by Betony Vernon in 1998 and manufactured in lost wax elements. Part of the iconic "Tokens of Paradise Collection", it is a symbol of virili...
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Five Pearls Bracelet" Bracelet 18 Karat Gold
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "Five Pearls Bracelet" was designed in 2000 by Betony Vernon using 18 Karat gold sheet, lost wax elements and premium quality natural salt water pearls....
Pearl, Gold
Betony Vernon "Three Rows Bracelet" Bracelet Sterling Silver 925
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "Three Rows Bracelet" was originally designed by Betony Vernon in 1996. Now a timeless BV signature jewel, it is handcrafted using lost wax elem...
Sterling Silver, 18k Gold
Betony Vernon "O'Ring Cuff Three Mechanisms" Bracelet Sterling Silver 925
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "O-Ring Cuff Three Mechanisms " was designed by Betony Vernon in 1996 Paradise Found collectors have appreciated the "O-Ring" collection over the years for its symbolic and aesth...
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "O'Ring Cuff with Locket" Bracelet Sterling Silver 925
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Betony Vernon designed the "O'Ring Cuff with Locket" in 1998. The ball-and-ring mechanism serves to put all of Vernon's Attachments literally at hands reach...
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "O'Ring Chain Medium Bracelet" Sterling Silver 925
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "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...
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "Five Pearls Bracelet" Sterling Silver 925 in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "Five Pearls Bracelet" was designed and handcrafted in 2000 by Betony Vernon using Sterling Silver 925 sheet, lost wax elements and premium quality natural salt water pearls...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
$1,250
H 1.5 in W 3.5 in
1960's Vintage Sirokoro Scandinavian Sterling Silver Sculptural Cuff Bracelet
Located in North Miami, FL
This hallmarked unusual RARE vintage Scandinavian modern sculptural thick sterling silver signed cuff bracelet has the markings of Sorokoro MJH 925 Made in Fin. It is fabulous! Very ...
Sterling Silver
Silver Logo Bracelet
By John Brevard
Located in Coral Gables, FL
This limited edition piece is inspired by sacred geometries and patterns in nature. This sculptural bracelet is from the John Brevard Spherical series. The series is characterized ...
Sterling Silver
$220Sale Price|50% Off
W 0.32 in D 0.11 in L 6.5 in
Silvorra 925 Sterling Silver Three Row MultiColor Cubic Zirconia Tennis Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
This elegant solid 925 sterling silver three-row tennis bracelet showcases vibrant, square cut cubic zirconia in a rainbow of hues. Each stone measures 2 x 2 mm and is precisely set ...
Zircon, Silver, Sterling Silver
$2,040Sale Price|20% Off
L 6.8 in
Handcrafted Octagon Cut Ruby Dangling Chain Bracelet in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
This Handcrafted Octagon Cut Ruby Dangling Chain Bracelet in 18K gold showcases 1.3 carats of endlessly sparkling natural ruby. It measures 6.8 inches long in length. Ruby improves ...
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Large Detailed Three-Band Sterling Silver Cuff with Micro Twist-Rope Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
Wonderfully detailed three-band sterling silver cuff has a micro "twist-rope" along the center of each of the three bands. The exterior circumference measures 8 1/2 inches. The inter...
Modernist Silver Designer Cuff Bracelet
Located in Poitiers, FR
Bracelet in silver. Important and massive, this silver cuff is made up of patterns with geometric and convex lines hinged together. The bracelet is semi rigid and closes with a hinge...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet With Opal, Garnet, Amethyst 1980's
Located in North Miami, FL
This stunning cuff bracelet all hand wrought is a beautiful combinations of gorgeous set semi precious stones in different shapes and colors. They are set against sterling silver fil...
Amethyst, Carnelian, Garnet, Opal, Sterling Silver
$1,785
H 1.25 in W 2.5 in D 2 in Dm 2.5 in
Vintage Hallmarked Sterling Silver Sculptural Cuff Bracelet, 1970's
Located in North Miami, FL
This wonderful substantial sculptural hallmarked sterling silver cuff bracelet is hallmarked 925 sterling Mexico. It has a safety chain in addition to the inserted clasp. Each bar is...
Sterling Silver
$493
W 0.99 in L 7.88 in
Givenchy Vintage Rare Gripoix Ruby Amethyst Sapphire Charms Pearl Heart Bracelet
By Givenchy
Located in Wokingham, England
Givenchy Vintage 1980s Gripoix Pearl Heart Circle Oval Red Blue Purple White Charm Elegant Modernist Bracelet, Gold Tone. Good condition. Some light scratches or colour loss, especi...
Gold Plate
Three-Stone Turquoise and Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Three-stone Kingman turquoise and sterling silver cuff bracelet. Large stones with colors that vary from light blue to a green teal, all having rich brown matrix. Each stone in bezel...
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
$1,595
H 2 in W 2.5 in Dm 2.85 in
Italian Sterling Silver Sculptural Cut Out Cuff Bracelet By L. Ponte, 1980's
Located in North Miami, FL
This artisan, most likely Italian signed sterling silver bracelet has 3-cut outs and the sterling silver looks to be of a molten form. It is signed 925 LPonte. it is sculptural and a...
Sterling Silver
$2,200
H 3 in W 3 in Dm 2.85 in
Sculptural Wide Sterling Silver And Pearl Cuff Bracelet Signed and Hallmarked
Located in North Miami, FL
This stunning and sculptural hand wrought sterling silver cuff bracelet has 15 real pearls set in a protruding form, and the silver looks like it has been folded and creased. It has ...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "O-Ring Cuff with Locket" Bracelet Sterling Silver 925 in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
Betony Vernon designed the "O-Ring Cuff with Locket" in 1998. The ball-and-ring mechanism has an 18Karat gold bonded ring that serves to put all of Vernon's Attachments literally at ...
Sterling Silver, 18k Gold