H.STERN (founded 1945)

Hans Stern (1922–2007) was born into a Jewish family in Essen, Germany, and fled to Rio de Janeiro with his parents at the onset of World War II. There, he began working for Cristab, a precious stone and mineral exporter. This job marked the start of his rise to becoming "the king of the colored gems." Stern frequently visited mines in Minas Gerais, Brazil, on horseback, building enduring relationships with miners and developing a fascination for the region's colorful semiprecious stones. In 1945, he founded H.Stern to market these Brazilian gemstones internationally. The company soon expanded from gemstone trading to jewelry, with Stern training a team of young jewelers.

H.Stern’s designs often featured stars, a nod to the founder's surname. Stern innovatively offered tours of his workshop, highlighting the craftsmanship behind his vibrant jewels. His efforts brought international recognition to Brazilian gems like topaz, amethyst, and tourmaline. Today, H.Stern, run by his son, Roberto, continues the legacy with new collections and styles and is a global jewelry brand with over 150 stores worldwide.