Wearable works of art

MANILA, Philippines - Born from the dynamic cultural history of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Hans Stern founded H. Stern in 1945. The German gentleman was said to have had the heart of a Brazilian. His success story started when he was but a gemstone trader working out of downtown Rio. From working with raw gemstones, Hans made the natural progression to making finished jewelry, a venture that led H. Stern to become one of the most recognized labels in the industry today. Ranked among the most prestigious jewelry brands in the world, H. Stern now runs more than 160 boutiques all over the world, which include flagship stores in New York, Paris and Moscow.

Roberto Stern, Hans’ son, has taken over the legacy of the company as its president and chief designer, a position that he assumed in 1995. Initiating a series of changes in order to reinvent the brand’s image, Roberto wanted each design to create a higher value than the materials alone, and for each piece to reflect the lifestyle and desires of the people who wear them.

“We search the past for inspiration, but our interpretation must be current,” he says. “We imagine the future but use the techniques that are available today. Our work plays with time. We are breaking barriers, pursuing the new but never forgetting our roots.”

Music of the spheres: Ring from the Copernicus collection, inspired by astronomy

When it comes to design, H. Stern takes pride in giving an artful rendition to its magnificent jewelry. They gather their inspiration from nature, architecture, history, and even cultural identity. The flawless integration of their company and heritage into each and every product resonates through the dynamism and versatility of their designs, which are as timeless as they are elegant. The brand also takes advantage of special hardware, as reflected in their Noble Gold collection, which is a unique fusion of metal alloys that has created a new color of 18-karat gold. Boasting a flattering neutral tone that has both yellow and white gold, not only does it adapt to any skin tone, it can easily be worn with any other type of jewelry as well.

In addition to an impeccable design philosophy, the label also ensures that each product gives its wearer a sense of comfort and ease whenever they put on an H. Stern piece. As part of their aesthetic, they can be described as both architectural and sensual — from geometrically shaped gemstones to gold jewelry that takes on fantastic shapes, every item has a life of its own.

Smooth and sensuous, each piece is considered wearable art, with a distinct signature etched in every single work. Hidden gemstones or “secrets” such as small sapphires or diamonds are infused into the designs in addition to the star symbol etched behind these luxurious creations to guarantee authenticity and quality.

Moonlight and magic: Inspired by the soft glow of the moon and combining natural elements with a vintage aesthetic, H. Stern’s Moonlight collection is clean and understated with a romantic elegance.

This season, H. Stern is solidifying its position in the industry with the launch of the Copernicus collection, a series of pieces adapted and inspired by scientists’ fascination with astronomy and dedication to observing the sky with the naked eye. H. Stern’s artistic take has resulted in wonderful spherical pieces of jewelry in their trademarked Noble Gold that emit a fashionable symmetry between gold hardware, hollow shapes, and stellar diamonds.

Another effort to fuse art with jewels is their latest collaboration with one of Brazil’s most celebrated architects, Oscar Niemeyer, who personally approved each design that was created in his honor. His trademark curves and personal sketches served as the inspiration for this collaborative collection. Niemeyer’s inspirations for his architectural work coincided with H. Stern’s philosophies: simple and uncomplicated yet with a hint of complexity in a free-flowing, modern design.

H. Stern is available only at Adora, Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center Makati.