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.
Stephen Webster Classic Thorn Diamond Dangle Earrings White Gold 18k 1.02ctw
By Stephen Webster
Located in Greensboro, NC
Retail Price: $7500 Brand: Stephen Webster Collection: Classic Thorn Metal Content: 18k White Gold Stone Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): 1.02ctw Cut: Round Brilliant Color...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Boucheron High jewellery diamond earrings 4.60ct
By Boucheron
Located in Addlestone, GB
Boucheron white gold large diamond hoop earrings. These beautiful hoop earrings were produced as a capsule High jewellery collection in Circa 2008 Larg...
Diamond, 18k Gold
$3,500Sale Price|20% Off
Alexander Beverly Hills 2.00ct Diamond Hoop Earrings 18k White Gold
By Alexander Beverly Hills
Located in BEVERLY HILLS, CA
Classic diamond hoop earrings, marques like shape. By Alexander Beverly Hills. 82 round brilliant diamonds, 2.00 carats total. Approximately G/H color and VS clarity. Prong set, 18k ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
5.7 ct. Diamond Hoop Earrings, 18K
By D'Deco Jewels
Located in New York, NY
A pair of diamond hoop earrings with 5.78 cts of Diamonds. Total Weight: 17.40 grams. Length: 1.37" Lightweight, stylish and high quality. 1409-MDBEJRT
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$3,200 / item
W 0.05 in L 1.07 in
TJD 0.50 Carat Inside Outside Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Classic Hoop Earrings
By TJD
Located in New York, NY
These designer hoop earrings feature 118 brilliant-cut diamond set in prong setting and hand-crafted by our in-house experts in 18-karat white gold. The diamonds are graded H-I Color...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Tiffany & Co. 1.38 CTW Diamond 18K Gold 30.0 MM Inside Outside Hoop Earrings
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as oval hoops with round brilliant cut diamonds Prong set in rows throughout in inside-outside style Weighing 1.38 carats total - G color with VS2 clarity Completed by posts...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Contemporary 3.60 CTW Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Inside-Oustide Hoop Earrings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as round white gold open hoops with round brilliant cut diamonds Bead set inside-outside style with an interior row and exterior row Weighing approximately 3.60 carats total...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Roman Malakov 2.55 Carat Total Round Diamond Single Prong Hoop Earrings
By Roman Malakov
Located in New York, NY
A classic and versatile style hoop earrings, showcasing round brilliant diamonds weighing 2.55 carats total with F-G Color and VS-SI Clarity. Single prong setting; made of 18K white ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$20,680
W 1.07 in D 0.12 in L 2.13 in
2.30 Karat F Color VVS1 White Diamonds 18k White Gold Modern Hoops Earrings
By Rossella Ugolini
Located in Rome, IT
Rossella Ugolini Design Collection a Modern Style White Diamonds Hoops Dangle Earrings entirely handcrafted in 18 karats white Gold by expert artisans and embellished with beautiful 2.30 karat White Diamonds. Perfect to give a timeless touch to every outfit but with a twist given by the modern design of the earrings. These elongated circles are reminiscent of flower petals, they are Linear, Timeless, Precious and Unique. The design is meant to rise slightly on the lobe to give light to the face. They are right and left in the verse. The Diamonds Earrings are made with high-quality Diamonds , ensuring it will be a cherished piece for years to come. Dimension: length 2,12 ( 5,4 cm) Rossella Ugolini Jewelry Designer's collection is 100% handcrafted with loads of love in Rome. An exclusive design, enriched by the most precious metals and gems, gives shape to Rossella's daily inspirations and a lifetime passion, framed by the timeless beauty of Rome and its enchanting atmosphere. Each Rossella Ugolini's item is unique and never worn or owned before. Each box is wrapped with paper and ribbons in a color that matching the jewelry. In addiction you will find a handwritten card and a watercolor drawing of the piece. The box is seal with a wax lacquer seal . This piece is entirely manufactured in an artisanal way in Rome, Italy and every step of the process is carefully executed. All stones have a Spiritual meaning: Diamond is a sign of commitment and fidelity and instills trust to relationships and situations. It inspires the forces of accumulation, attracting the manifestation of abundance. Details: Rossella Ugolini Design Collection Modern Style 18 Karats White Gold 2.30 Karat F Color VVS1...
White Diamond, White Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
2.2 Carat Total Weight Diamond Double-Layer Hoop Earrings in 14k White ref576
By Diamond Town
Located in New York, NY
These beautiful diamond earrings feature a total of approximately 2.2 carats round white diamonds, along a double-layer hoop earring frame. The left and right legs are mirror image t...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
