Born into a Jewish family in Essen, Germany, Hans Stern (1922–2007) fled with his parents to Rio de Janeiro at the onset of World War II. There he landed a job working for the precious stone and mineral exporter Cristab. Thus began Stern’s rise to become “the king of the colored gems,” as the media would dub him, and founder of the family-owned H.Stern jewelry business that now has over 150 stores worldwide.
While working for Cristab, Stern regularly visited mines on horseback. At the remote mines of Minas Gerais, Brazil, he cultivated relationships with many of the miners, developing professional connections that would endure for decades. He also embraced a fascination with the colorful semiprecious stones harvested in the area. In 1945, he started his own company, H.Stern, with the goal of marketing Brazilian gemstones — then virtually unknown on the global stage — to an international audience.
Though the company began as a trader in gemstones, it soon expanded to jewelry, with Stern assembling and training a team of young jewelers. A frequent motif in the company’s designs was the star, as Stern is “star” in German. In 1949, H.Stern opened its first jewelry shop in Rio de Janeiro, but a storefront was not his customers’ only view into the brand’s jewelry-making process. In the 1950s, Stern became one of the first major jewelers to offer tours of his workshop, showing off the creative process and elevating the role of craftsmanship in jewelry design.
Stern’s approach and his vibrant jewels, which favored organic settings designed to show off colorful gems, earned international recognition and put Brazil’s topaz, amethyst and tourmaline on the map. Tourmaline was reportedly Stern’s favorite, and the company’s Rio de Janeiro vaults are also home to Paraíba tourmalines, which are mined in the mountains of Paraíba, Brazil. He recognized the burgeoning tourism industry in the country as an opportunity to promote the beauty of these stones, opening stores in the lobbies of Brazil’s leading hotels and investing in vehicles to bring visitors to the H.Stern headquarters. By the mid-1990s, the company was opening stores abroad and selling jewelry at international department stores.
In the 1980s, the brand debuted its first celebrity collaboration, with French actress Catherine Deneuve. Since then it has worked with partners such as designer Diane von Fürstenberg and architect Oscar Niemeyer. In 2016, Assouline published a book on the 70-year history of H.Stern, from its humble founding to its worldwide acclaim. Today, the company is run by Stern’s son, Roberto, who has introduced a broad range of new collections and styles.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of H. Stern necklaces, rings, earrings and other accessories.
14K Yellow Gold Multi-Color Gemstone Band Ring, size 7.5
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This striking ladies' band ring is crafted in 14K yellow gold and showcases a vibrant trio of emerald-cut gemstones arranged in a sleek bezel setting. Featuring a combination of citr...
Citrine, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Yellow Gold
H Stern 18k Yellow Gold Multi Gemstone Stars and Moon Design Ring
By H. Stern
Located in New York, NY
This H. Stern ring is crafted in 18k yellow gold and decorated with a colorful celestial arrangement of stars and moon motifs. Garnet, amethyst, peridot, topaz, and citrine introduce...
Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet, Peridot, Topaz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
14K Yellow Gold Multi Color Gemstone Wide Ring with Round Diamonds. (Size 7.0)
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
14K Yellow Gold Multi Color Gemstone Wide Ring with Round Diamonds. (Size 7) Pre-Owned Gender: Ladies. Ring Size: 7.0 U.S. Weight: 11.62 Grams. Diamond: Round Diamonds. (0.18) Meta...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Rainbow Sapphire Ring 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Metal: 18K Yellow Gold Size: 6.5 Total Weight: 7.6 Grams Sapphire Count: 12 multi color sapphires Sapphire Carat Weight: 1.40 carats Stamped: "K18" "1.40" ...
Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
0.60ct Diamond Rainbow Multi-Gem 14K Yellow Gold Signet Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This striking signet ring showcases a vibrant cluster of multicolored cabochon-cut gemstones—including shades of blue sapphire, pink tourmaline, green peridot, orange spessartite, an...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
14 Karat Yellow Gold Step Cut Multicolour Gemstones Linear Rainbow Bar Band Ring
By Vaibhav Dhadda
Located in Jaipur, Rajasthan
14 karat yellow gold step cut multicolour gemstones linear rainbow bar band ring Add something special to your jewellery box with the Multicolour Rainbow linear Bar ring. Set in 14 Karat gold, this classic linear band ring design features channel set natural gemstones like Rhodolite Garnet, Amethyst, Citrine, Peridot and Blue Topaz. The natural gemstones are step cut, enhancing the fire, lustre and hue to maximum in each gemstone. The ring is extremely light weight, made in very high quality, easy for daily wear use and can go with any dress! This ring is also suitable for someone who is looking for pride...
Amethyst, Citrine, Peridot, Blue Topaz, Rhodolite, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Vintage 3 Multicolor Stone 14k Yellow Gold Ring Band
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Vintage 3 Multicolor Stone 14k Yellow Gold Ring Band This stunning Vintage 3 Multicolor Stone Ring is in excellent condition and is ready to ship! Design: 3 Stone Ring Material: 14...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
H. Stern Sunrise Colours Ring in Noble Gold with Quartz, Diamond and Sapphire
By H. Stern
Located in BILBAO, ES
Striking designer ring from the renowned H. Stern Sunrise Colours Collection, crafted in 18-karat noble gold and centered by an impressive smoky quartz of exceptional size and presence. The ring showcases a magnificent cushion-cut smoky quartz weighing 15.26 carats, secured in an elegant claw setting that maximizes the stone’s warm, translucent tones. The substantial gold mounting features a clean, contemporary silhouette, enhanced by a brilliant-cut diamond discreetly set into the side of the shank, adding a refined touch of sparkle. A signature detail of the design is the sapphire hidden within the interior of the band, a distinctive feature often found in H. Stern creations, reflecting the house’s attention to craftsmanship and symbolism. Bold yet sophisticated, this ring embodies the elegant modern aesthetic that characterizes the Sunrise Colours collection, making it an exceptional statement piece for collectors and admirers of fine designer jewelry. - Designer: H. Stern - Collection: Sunrise Colours - Year: 2006 - Metal: 18K Noble Gold - Gold Weight: 10.2 grams - Gemstones - 1 Cushion-Cut Smoky Quartz — 15.26 ct - 1 Brilliant-Cut Diamond — 0.07 ct - 1 Sapphire (inside shank) — 0.03 ct H Stern ring, Sunrise Colours collection, smoky quartz ring, designer gemstone ring, 18k gold ring, H Stern jewelry...
Diamond, Quartz, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Gold
Georgios Collections 18 Karat Yellow Gold Rainbow Sapphire and Diamond Band Ring
By Georgios Collections Inc
Located in Astoria, NY
S. Georgios designer offers 18 Karat Yellow Gold Band Ring featuring 1.7 Carats of princess cut Multicolor Sapphires set in an invisible setting creating a beautiful rainbow. On the ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sa...
Rossella Ugolini 18K Yellow Gold Multicolor Sapphire Rotating Band Ring
By Rossella Ugolini
Located in Rome, IT
One-of-a-kind 18-karat yellow gold ring with 2.5-carat orange and green sapphires, featuring a rotating band, made in Italy by Rossella Ugolini. Available Size 7,25 US. any size avai...
Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
H. Stern Harmony Diane von Furstenberg Diamond Gemstone Yellow Gold Ring
By H. Stern
Located in New York, NY
This gorgeous H. Stern ring from the Harmony collection for Diane Von Furstenberg is crafted in 18k yellow gold and set with ruby, tourmaline, aquamarine and citrine gemstones and 36...
Aquamarine, Citrine, Diamond, Ruby, Tourmaline, Yellow Gold
CHANEL Coco Baroque Multicolor Gemstone Yellow Gold Ring 54
By Chanel
Located in New York, NY
This chic Chanel cocktail dome band ring from the vibrant Coco collection is made in 18k yellow gold and features a faceted citrine in the center surrounded by 4 cabochon peridots an...
Citrine, Iolite, Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Multi-Color Natural Sapphire Diamond Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
This modern Italian ring is made in 18k rose gold and set with a stunningly colorful array of natural faceted oval sapphires - 20 sapphires of an ...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Sapphire Ruby Diamond Wide 18k Yellow Gold Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
This fabulous vintage Van Cleef & Arpels ring features a wide band design crafted in 18k yellow gold and bezel-set with blue sapphire, red rubies, and diamonds. Made in France circa ...
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
Vintage Retro Fancy-Cut Diamond Yellow Gold Wide Ring
Located in New York, NY
This fabulous retro women's ring is crafted in 14k yellow gold and set with a marquise diamond center stone weighing an estimated 0.25 carats, acented with 14 baguette-cut diamonds w...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Rodney Rayner Sapphire Citrine Garnet 18k Yellow Gold Ring
By Rodney Rayner
Located in New York, NY
This stunning Rodney Rayner ring is crated in 18k yellow gold and set with a faceted marquise-cut citrine, yellow sapphires, and tsavorite garnets - all vibrant fine quality stones. ...
Citrine, Garnet, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
