Iconic British jeweler Stephen Webster MBE shook everything up when he introduced his Crystal Haze rings in 1995.
The jewelry landscape was almost barren during the 1990s. Fashion dictated minimalism, and stars treading the red carpet wore Armani gowns in earth tones with very few sparkling accessories. Elsa Peretti’s little diamond solitaire necklace for Tiffany & Co. was in vogue. And the gold Cartier Panthère watch was the only item many female stars wore.
The seismic shift was sparked in 2000 when Madonna attended a party for the premiere of her movie The Next Best Thing wearing the Crystal Haze ring. She had purchased it directly from Webster, to whom she’d been introduced by a friend. Pictures of the star singer’s outing popped up seemingly everywhere — on her index finger, Webster’s Crystal Haze ring was so much bigger and bolder than the styles most celebrities were wearing at the time. The press coverage snowballed in the months and years to come as other celebrities, including Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera and Pink, were spotted in the now-immediately recognizable jewel.
This massive success came to Webster when he was in his 30s, not long after he launched his label, in 1989, but the design was the culmination of a lifetime of experience. At the tender age of 16, Webster found his calling when he toured Medway College of Design in Rochester, England, with a career counselor. He was immediately attracted to the jewelry department, which was “noisy, slightly grubby and lit with orangey, naked flames.” After graduating, he worked for a few years as a bench jeweler in London and the resort town of Banff, in Alberta, Canada, finally settling in Santa Barbara, California.
The luxurious, laid-back style of the city, nicknamed the American Riviera, opened Webster’s eyes to the possibility of a kind of jewelry different from the traditional designs that defined the field in England. He began working with semiprecious stones, an integral element of the Crystal Haze line. The Santa Barbara community embraced the colors and was open to lesser-known gems in fine jewelry, such as apple-green chrysoprase, lavender chalcedony and Peruvian pink opal.
The idea for the Crystal Haze ring came to Webster when he was having lapidaries in Idar-Oberstein, Germany, cut rock crystal into special shapes for big brooches. He wanted to create statement jewels in which two gems cut into a narrow arc would curve over the finger in a gold ring. The contour and connecting of the stones required a couple of years of development, some innovative thinking and plenty of expertise.
Today, Webster’s stores dot the globe, and he has a long list of illustrious collectors. The many lines he has produced over the years — from Vertigo and Dynamite to Fly By Night and Jewels Verne — display the same qualities that characterize Crystal Haze: bold, edgy designs, beautifully manufactured.
Find Stephen Webster rings, earrings, necklaces and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
G. Verdi 18 Karat Yellow Gold, Diamond, Orange and Yellow Sapphire Cocktail Ring
Located in New York, NY
"Let's Twist Again" with this magnificent yellow gold ring created exclusively for Cellini by g. Verdi of Italy. Yellow oval sapphires are set among vibrant or...
Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
5.23 Carat Red Spinel, Citrine and Diamond Cocktail Ring in Tri-colored Gold
By Sarosi By Timeless Gems
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fiery, orange-red spinel is set in this beautiful 18k yellow, rose and white gold handmade ring. The design is inspired by all things regal and is perfect for someone who is ready ...
Citrine, White Diamond, Spinel, Diamond, Multi-gemstone, 18k Gold, Gold,...
18 Karat Gold 5.13 Carat Diamond, Citrine and Ruby Cocktail Ring
By Gems Paradise
Located in Jaipur, IN
A masterful blend of artistry and luxury, the 18 Karat Gold Cocktail Ring is a dazzling showcase of a 5.13 carat diamond, citrine, and ruby. This piece exudes opulence, featuring a c...
Citrine, Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Cocktail Ring in 20K Yellow Gold with 4.08-carat Ruby and Diamonds
By Coomi
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Luminosity Cocktail Ring Set in 20 karat Yellow Gold with 4.08-carat Ruby and 2.11-carat Diamonds. This ring is part of COOMI's Luminosity Collection which is inspired and made with ...
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Playful cocktail ring with citrines and diamonds in 18K yellow gold
Located in Lucerne, CH
This playful cocktail ring is crafted in 18k yellow gold and features a vibrant citrine as its centrepiece. The warm golden tones of the citrine harmonise beautifully with the rich y...
Citrine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$24,000Sale Price|20% Off
Diamond Orange Yellow Sapphire Cocktail Luxury Unique 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
By Galt & Bro. Jewelers
Located in Tysons, VA
Sunrise Twist Layers Ring Diamond Orange Yellow Sapphire Cocktail Luxury Unique 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring The winning swing and the architectural purity are the relevant ingredien...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,640Sale Price / item|20% Off
20.96 CTW Large Citrine Regal Cocktail Ring with Diamonds in 14k Yellow Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
20.96 CTW Large Citrine Regal Cocktail Ring with Diamonds in 14K Gold featuring natural citrine of 20.96 carats and diamonds of 0.96 carats. The gorgeous handcrafted ring goes with e...
Citrine, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,398Sale Price|20% Off
Designer Cocktail Ring in 18kt Gold with 5.45 Ctw in Diamonds & Madeira Citrine
Located in Miami, FL
Sculptural cocktail ring with Santa Ana Madeira Citrine. Gorgeous designer's cocktail ring carefully crafted with geometric architectural patterns in solid yellow gold of 18 karats with high polished finish. It is embellished with a great selection of natural earth mined diamonds and an exceptional Madeira citrine from the Santa Ana mines, located in Uruguay. Diamonds: Mounted at the sides in a channel setting, with 16 graduated round brilliant cut diamonds, 0.64 carats, white colorless F/G color, VS-2 clarity. Gemstones: Mount in the center in a bezel setting, with 1 oval bullet cabochon cut (12 x 7.5 x 7 mm) of a natural Uruguayan vivid and fiery orange Madeira Santa Ana citrine of 4.81 carats. Birthstone: For the month of November. Weight: 12.75 Grams, (8.17 Dwt). Size: 6.5 and may be easily sized on request. Measurements: 21 mm by 13 mm (0.83 x 0.51 Inches) and raise 13 mm over the finger. Hallmarks: Stamped with the maker's mark, the mark for the assay of the gold and signed, "RAI 18KT". Madeira Santa Ana citrine, is belonging to the quartz family, it is one of the most sought-after varieties of citrine. This gemstone is named after the fortified wine made in the Madeira Islands, just off the coast of Portugal. This rare and unique color forms less than two-percent of all citrine. Santa Ana Madeira citrine is one of the most valuable citrines, displaying an intensely saturated red-orange to red-brown color. Gemstones with highly saturated yellow, orange and reddish tones are considered to be the most valuable. Santa Ana Madeira citrine has excellent clarity with no eye-visible inclusions. The gemstone is vitreous and attains remarkable luster when polished. Citrines appear to be dichroic in polarized light. Gemstone like Santa Ana Madeira citrine can be cut in any shape, showing off its color and luster tremendously well. Find it in various classic and fancy shapes like oval, round, rectangular, cushion, pear and trillion...
Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Louis Feron Citrine Ruby Ring 60s Vintage Band 18k Yellow Gold Sz 8.5 Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed vintage Louis Feron citrine & ruby ring crafted in 18 karat yellow gold (circa 1960s). Centrally round citrine measures 12.5mm (estimated at 5 carats). Six cabo...
Citrine, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cocktail Ring with Imperial Topaz
By M&V Vanguard Jewelry
Located in New York, NY
Cocktail Ring with Imperial Topaz in 18K Yellow Gold Imperial Topaz 5.78ct Encrusted with Pave halo scalloped 2.0mm diamonds totaling 1.26ct Size: 6
Topaz, Imperial Topaz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
