Text by Nick Guylian

It is a well known fact that the success of any artist is justified, first of all, by his or her talent. Of course, an element of luck is very important but it is secondary. One can say with certainty that Val Stern has been doubly lucky for he is not only an extremely talented artist but, most importantly, possesses an enviable intelligence and erudition. As a result, his absolutely unique style stands in the open against the dominant trends in jewelry today. Inspired by an array of influences, such as nature, cosmology, myth, religion, symbolism, and occultism, his totally unexpected concepts determine his unconventional use of rare precious stones and unusual selection of metals. Frequently, he even fashions his own tools and invents new techniques in order to achieve the look he desires.

Each of the following pieces of jewelry strikes an observer with the conceptual strength and originality, virtuoso technique and mature style. But, above all, the main artistic feature is that the clear border between the applied and fine art is completely erased! Every masterpiece created by this outstanding modern master is an indisputable objet d'art and a beautiful sculpture at first; and only then a piece of a wearable jewelry.

With his mother being a prominent painter herself, Val was fortunate enough to grow up surrounded by an artful environment that from a very early age had formed his love for beauty in all its manifestations. It is no wonder that already at 17 he became an apprentice of Mr. Simon Rudle, a third Generation of Carl Faberge jewelers. After only a year of apprenticeship, Val was a full-fledged jeweler, employed by the Rudlier Jewelry in New York City. Since 2001, he has been working successfully with private international clientele, exhibiting and selling through a family owned art gallery in Manhattan.

The triumphant solo debut of his jewelry collection took place in 2004, at the Aaron Faber Gallery in New York City, and many others followed since though Val himself considers his extremely successful solo exhibition in the spring of 2016, at the cult avant-garde Dejavu Art Gallery on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, as the most important in his career up to this day. He also finds mystically significant that fact that Andy Warhol first exhibited his works in this space.

However, the real breakthrough and recognition came in 2013, when the famous writer, editor, photographer, artist, socialite and fashion guru, Ms. Lisa Eisner appeared at the 2013 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, wearing Val Stern's stunning Owl Ring that made him and his "little precious miracles" known to many overnight. Stern's jewelry collections were highlighted by the New York Magazine, Where, Art & Antiques, Black Tie and many other high-end publications.

We proudly present a selection of unique sculptural jewelry objects from Val Stern's Collection made exclusively for Ashville Fine Arts.

Dragonfly

Articulated Sculptural Necklace

MATERIALS:

Sterling silver, Amethyst, Persian turquoise, Orangy Yellow Agate, Pale Cornelian

DIMENSIONS:

Height: 9 inches Width: 9 inches Weight: 12oz (347.3g)

PRICE:

$15,250

Gargoyle

Articulated & Adjustable Necklace

MATERIALS:

Sterling silver, Amethyst, Amethyst - Chevron, Ametryn

DIMENSIONS:

Max width: 9 inches Max height: 4 1/2 inches Max length: 24 inches Weight: 12.4oz (352g)

PRICE:

$16,800

Kneeling Cross

Necklace

MATERIALS:

Sterling silver, Amethyst - Chevron, Persian turquoise, cultured pearls.

DIMENSIONS:

Cross height: 7 inches Cross width: 4 inches Adjustable chain: 28 inches Weight: 5.5oz (162g)

PRICE:

$14,000

Heart Secret

Sculptural Necklace with Secret Compartment

MATERIALS:

Sterling silver. hand-carved moon-stone cameo, polished rock crystal, diamond.

DIMENSIONS:

Pendant Height: 4 inches Pendant width: 2 1/2 inches Adjustable chain: 28 inches Weight: 2.7oz (77g)

PRICE:

$7,500

Pterodactyl

Sculptural bracelet

MATERIALS:

Sterling silver, hand-carved agate, hematite, garnets.

DIMENSIONS:

Max. Height: 3 1/2 inches

Max. Width: 2 1/2 inches

Weight: 4.4oz (125.5g)

PRICE:

$14,000

Knight's Quest for the Holy Grail

Articulated Sculptural Bracelet

MATERIALS:

Sterling silver, bronze, stainless steel, gold, black diamond.

DIMENSIONS:

Max. Width: 1 1/4 inches

Weight: 2oz (52.9g)

PRICE:

$8,750

Lion Balancing on the Ball

Articulated Sculptural Bracelet

MATERIALS:

Sterling silver, coral, mabe peal, garnets

DIMENSIONS:

Max. Height: 2 1/4 inches Max. Width: 1 3/4 inches Ring size: 8 1/2 (resizable) Weiht: 2.1oz (60.3g)

PRICE:

$7,700

Longhorn Ghost

Sculptural Ring

MATERIALS:

Sterling silver, coral, rough diamonds, black onyx, garnet, white agate, sea shell.

DIMENSIONS:

Max. Height: 4 inches Max. Width: 2 inches Ring size: 9 (resizable) Weight: 2.6oz (74.7g)

PRICE:

$7,800

Mythical Wasp

Sculptural Ring

MATERIALS:

Sterling Silver, Orangy-Yellow Agate, Persian Turquoise

DIMENSIONS:

Max. Height: 3 3/4 inches Max. Width: 2 inches Ring size: 9 (resizable) Weight: 3.15oz (89.4g)

PRICE:

$6,500

Evil Eye Protector

Sculptural Ring

MATERIALS:

Sterling Silver, Lime citrine, diamond

DIMENSIONS:

Max. Height: 2 inches

Max. Width: 1 1/2 inches

Ring size: 8 (resizable)

Weight: 3.1oz (88.9g)

PRICE:

$7,500

Inner Vision

with Turtle & Lotuses

Sculptural Two-Finger Knuckle Ring

MATERIALS:

Sterling Silver, hand-carved rock crystal, Rhodocrosite, diamonds

DIMENSIONS:

Max. Height: 2 1/4 inches Max. Width: 4 inches Ring size: Pinky ring - 5 / Middle-finger ring - 9 (resizable) Weight: 3.3oz (92.6g)

PRICE:

$8,750

Victory

Sculptural Ring

As a Celtic symbol, the horse was associated with war.

With war, comes attributes of victory, conquer and longevity, as well as procurement of territory and other spoils that come with triumph in battle.

MATERIALS:

18K yellow gold, hand-carved Aquamarine cameo.

DIMENSIONS:

Diameter: 1 1/8 inches Ring size: 6 (resizable) Weight: 1.5oz (43.5g)

PRICE:

$10,500