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 "O'Ring Choker Mini Diamond Pavée" Necklace 18 Karat Gold in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "O'Ring Choker Mini Diamond Pavée" in 18-Karat Gold is part of the collection Sado-Chic, the term Betony Vernon coined to name her first fine erotic jewelry...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Betony Vernon "O-Ring Choker Mini" Necklace 18 Karat Gold in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "O-Ring Choker Mini" in 18-Karat Gold is part of the collection Sado-Chic, the term Betony Vernon coined to name her first fine erotic jewelry des...
18k Gold
Betony Vernon "O'Ring Signature Chain Necklace Mini" Necklace 18 Karat Gold
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "O'Ring Signature Chain Necklace" was designed by Betony Vernon in 1992 and is handcrafted in lost wax element of 18-Karat Gold. The timeless "O'Ring Signature Chain Necklace" has been long appreciated for its symbolic and aesthetic appeal, as well as for its functional purpose. The "O'Ring Signature Chain 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...
18k Gold, Gold
$23,427Sale Price|20% Off
Betony Vernon "O'Ring Choker Mini Diamond Pavée" Necklace 18 Karat Gold in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "O'Ring Choker Mini Diamond Pavée" in 18-Karat Gold is part of the collection Sado-Chic, the term Betony Vernon coined to name her first fine erotic jewelry designs in 1992. The ...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Betony Vernon "O'Ring Signature Chain" Necklace Sterling Silver 925 in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "O'Ring Signature Chain Necklace" was designed by Betony Vernon in 1992 and handcrafted in lost wax element of Sterling Silver 925 in 2018. The timeless "O'Ring Signature Chain Necklace" has been long appreciated for its symbolic and aesthetic appeal, as well as for its functional purpose. The "O'Ring Signature Chain 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...
Sterling Silver
$22,015Sale Price|20% Off
Betony Vernon "O-Ring Choker Mini" Necklace 18 Karat Gold in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "O-Ring Choker Mini" in 18-Karat Gold is part of the collection Sado-Chic, the term Betony Vernon coined to name her first fine erotic jewelry designs in 1992. The timeless "O-Ri...
18k Gold
Betony Vernon "O’ring Princess Necklace" with Sphere Pendant 18 Karat Gold
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "O’Ring Princess Necklace" was designed by Betony Vernon in 2001 and handcrafted in lost wax elements. The Sphere Attachment can be removed, granting the jewel the playful dualit...
Gold, 18k Gold
Betony Vernon "O'Ring Chain Medium Necklace" Sterling Silver 925 in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "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...
Sterling Silver
Betony Vernon "O Ring Piercing Kit" Necklace 18K Gold Pavée Diamond
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "O'Ring Piercing Kit" groups three Betony Vernon's original 18-Karat Diamond Pavée jewels to combine all together. The "O'Ring Choker Mini Diamond Pavée" as a Necklace, the "O'Ring Navel Piercing...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Betony Vernon "O’ring Princess Necklace" with Sphere Pendant Sterling Silver 925
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "O’Ring Princess Necklace" was designed by Betony Vernon in 2001 and handcrafted in lost wax elements in sterling silver 925. The Sphere Attachment ca...
Sterling Silver
$340Sale Price|50% Off
W 0.25 in L 25 in
Silvorra Vintage Inspired Ball Chain Necklace in 925 Sterling Silver Jewelry
Located in New York, NY
This 925 sterling silver necklace is crafted from solid, high-quality silver, weighing 41 grams for a substantial yet comfortable feel. Measuring 25 inches in length with a 0.25-inch...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Alex Jona 18 Karat Yellow Gold Link Chain Necklace
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona Design Collection, Hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat yellow gold link chain necklace. Dimension : L 17.72 in X W 0.30 in - L 45 cm X W 7.6 mm - Weight 18.4 gr Alex Jona jew...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold Albert Watch Link Chain Necklace
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona Design Collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat yellow gold 18" long Albert watch link chain necklace. Alex Jona jewels stand out, not ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,293 / item
W 0.36 in D 0.11 in L 17.32 in
Alex Jona Sterling Silver Twisted Wire Chain Link Necklace
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, rhodium plated sterling silver twisted wire necklace. Dimensions: L 17.32 in x W 0.36 in x D...
Sterling Silver
Alex Jona 18 Karat Yellow Gold Link Chain Necklace
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona Design Collection, Hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat yellow gold 17.7 inch-44cm long link chain necklace. Alex Jona jewels stand out, not only for their special design and f...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Alex Jona Sterling Silver Long Curb Link Chain Necklace
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, rhodium plated twisted wire sterling silver curb link long chain necklace. Marked Jona. Alex Jona jewels stand out, not only for ...
Sterling Silver
$12,000
Choker Diamond Necklace
By Diana M. Jewels
Located in New York, NY
18K White Gold diamond necklace, features 13.00 Carats of near colorless white slightly included diamonds. 16" necklace.
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold
$13,750
W 0.35 in L 16.5 in
Chimento Pavé Diamond Elongated Link Collar Necklace in 18 Karat White Gold
By Chimento
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
You will absolutely love this strikingly beautiful minimalist necklace by Chimento. It is stunningly simple in design, with curved lines and glittering pave diamonds, making the piec...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
18 Karat Solid Yellow Gold Chain Necklace Handmade Men Women
By Emeralds Maravellous
Located in Brunswick, ME
This stylish 6.8mm "Handmade" Cardinal Link chain/necklace is a modern favorite. This 18 kt solid yellow gold chain with Box clasp 24.5" -...
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Italian "Handmade" 18 Karat Yellow Gold Chain Link Necklace
Located in Troy, MI
Beautiful handcrafted Italian 18k gold ribbed oval link chain necklace with a lobster clasp. The 18 inch long necklace shimmers on the skin from the soft color & craftsmanship execut...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Fancy 18 Karat Yellow Gold Choker Links Necklace 124.5 Grams
Located in Miami, FL
Make your mark in fashion with this fashionably designed 1980's Figure 8, Infinity style, 17 inch Italian necklace. Weighing 124.5 grams of 18K yel...
Yellow Gold
Natural Diamond Sapphire Necklace 14K Gold Choker
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Natural Diamond Sapphire Necklace 14K Gold Choker This gorgeous estate necklace is finely crafted in solid 14K Yellow gold and set with genuine Earth...
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Betony Vernon "O'Ring Choker Mini Diamond Pavée" Necklace 18 Karat Gold in Stock
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "O-Ring Choker Mini Diamond Pavée" in 18-Karat Gold is part of the collection Sado-Chic, the term Betony Vernon coined to name her first fine erotic jewelry...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold