H. Stern’s red carpet stars

Want to feel what it’s like to be Katie Holmes, Jennifer Lopez, or Halle Berry on the red carpet?

All you have to do is head to Adora, where H. Stern’s annual red carpet collection is available for a limited time only.

This year the collection includes four lines of jewelry inspired by different themes: Ancient America, Sunrise, Iris and Brazilian Flowers. There’s something for every woman in the collection, from seriously sexy pieces to classic designs to graphically modern baubles that are the height of sculptural chic.

There’s also one show-stopping piece from last year’s bestselling Grupo Corpo collection: a blue topaz ring that depicts the flower bouquet given to a ballerina after a show. So intricate are the stone settings that some of the “flowers” actually move, and will nod like buds in the wind whenever you gesture with your hand.

This level of attention to detail is what makes H. Stern so special and celebrity-friendly. They’re not about huge solitaires in blah settings but exquisite modern design that is eye-popping simply because you’ve never seen anything like it before.

Another H. Stern extra is that each piece boasts a “hidden mickey” — a detail like a tiny diamond to mark an invisible clasp, for example — something so secret that only the owner of the piece will know about it, but so special I’m sure she’ll want to share it with the world.

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H. Stern is available only at Adora, 2/F Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center Makati, tel. no. 217-4029.

Ancient America: Primal beauty

America’s ancient civilizations — like the Native Americans who inhabited the country before Columbus arrived — worshipped and lived in harmony with the natural world.  As animists, they believed that animals, plants and minerals also had souls, and treated them accordingly.

Fascinated with this belief, H. Stern designers sought to translate the primal power and beauty of these animals into jewelry.

For me, the most stunning are inspired by the serpent, which was considered a symbol of the underworld, of rebirth and renewal. Pavé diamonds in various tones of cognac and black set in H. Stern’s proprietary Noble Gold (a champagne-hued mix of white and yellow gold) simulate the pattern of snakeskin in the necklace and cuff. The rings, which come in three sizes, wind and curl around your finger. The bracelet is a showpiece on its own with its sinuous, snake-like movement. The earrings are long and winding, while the necklace is fluid and sexy, hugging the curves of your neck. You can even wear it two ways: with the tail extending down your nape or collarbone — super seductive.

Also striking are the bird-inspired pieces. For ancient Americans, the bird symbolized the world of the gods, of peace and spirituality. The rings and earrings, crafted in brushed yellow and rose gold with cognac diamonds, evoke the feathers of a majestic bird soaring through the skies. They’ve been stylized in such a modern way, though — particularly in the statement cuff — that they look very Avengers and will make you feel like superwoman when you put them on.

Brazilian flowers: Sweet & pretty

Honoring the florals from H. Stern’s birthplace, as always, the pieces in the Brazilian Flowers collection combine organic influences with H. Stern’s unique style: discreet elegance, understated luxury, comfort, versatility and expert craftsmanship. Blue topaz mingles with deeply colored citrines in a play and harmony of colors. The collection is sweet, pretty, and its design highlights the handmade character of the jewels, the skill of the artisan and the beauty of nature itself.

Iris: Under the sea

An amazing trip to the bottom of the ocean inspired H. Stern to create the new Iris collection. According to Greek mythology, Iris was the messenger of the gods, and moved with the lightness of the wind through the depths of the ocean. The daughter of Taumante (son of the sea) and Electra (daughter of the ocean), Iris was considered the personification of the rainbow.

The starting point for this latest collection was the reports of the HMS Challenger expedition, which began in 1873 and sailed through different seas of the world, collecting and registering beautiful aquatic creatures, including hundreds of seashells.

H. Stern reinterpreted in jewels the handmade drawings from the expedition. The seashell earrings, which hug your earlobes, flatteringly enhance your face shape, while the wavy rings, pendants and a bracelet render the delicate beauty of marine life through different gold tones, ranging from yellow to champagne and rose gold, often set with sparkling diamonds, featuring Victorian details and a special H. Stern touch: contrasting noble gold on the inside surfaces of the jewelry.

Sunrise: In living color

Inspired by the colors of the dawn, H. Stern’s strength in gemstones is showcased in the Sunrise collection, which was originally presented in citrines that ranged from pale yellow to golden orange, but are now also available in pastels that lighten from purple (lavender amethysts) to soft pink (rose quartz); emerald green (rutilated quartz) to sheer taupe (smoky quartz) to gold (rutilated quartz).

Modern and sophisticated, the Sunrise rings are a testament to H. Stern’s ability to surprise even in the smallest details. Oval gemstones sparkle atop architectural 18K yellow or noble gold settings.  Prongs are nearly invisible, making it seem as if the gems float on your skin, and they also move with your body, enhancing your prettiest assets.