Stenzhorn: Jewellery Inspired By Nature And Its Veritable Rainbow Of Colours

July 4, 2016

By Katerina Perez

3 min read

Stenzhorn is a major German jewellery house that has been embodying its jewellery with its own style for more than 35 years. Distinctive design, an original technique for setting stones, the romanticism of its jewellery forms and the constant release of new items arouses interest not only amongst the brand’s followers but also amongst those who come across it for the first time. Whether you have heard of Stenzhorn or not, let’s turn to the history of the brand and its founder, Klaus Stenzhorn.

Klaus Stenzhorn was born in the small town of Boppard, located on the banks of the Rhine. As a child, his father taught him to approach any kind of work he was involved in with love, passion and enthusiasm. Klaus himself, sitting on the banks of the Rhine, dreamt that he would become of the lucky ones sailing in boats along the river to the open sea. At the age of 18 his dream came true when he got a job on a cruise liner. Having left his home town, he visited over 120 countries around the world, tirelessly admiring the beauty and variety of local landscapes. Red African sunsets, the green expanses of the Amazon rainforest, the endless blue of the depths of the sea – his eyes were always drawn to the world’s brightest colours. Fascinated by animals, he simply fell in love with the wild beings that inhabit the earth especially the elegant, wild representatives of the feline world.

Iconic frog rings by Stenzhorn

Iconic frog rings by Stenzhorn

It was on a hot summer day in 1976 in Brazil that Klaus was invited to visit an emerald mine and saw the thing that served as the beginning of the greatest journey of his life. The unbridled power of the colour of the precious stones resembled the endless sea of green of the Amazon rainforest. Charmed by these treasures, he began to study and collect various precious stones during his travels. For Klaus they were associated with his main source of inspiration – nature. From the deep blue sapphires of Sri Lanka to the fiery red rubies of Myanmar – the young man was sure that nothing could better convey the memory and value of local landscapes. And so it was that in the winter of 1979 the Stenzhorn jewellery house came into being. It became defined by its highly artistic pieces, innovative jewellery techniques and the renowned German precision in execution.

Working with his designers, Klaus Stenzhorn provides the main ideological inspiration for the collections. This has led to various aspects of his life being traceable in each collection from colours to shapes. The beginnings of a new collection come into being spontaneously with each line being exalted by an original technique. Most of the collections are based on different aspects of Mother Nature – for example, beautiful flowers, animals or insects. “I think in colours. Sometimes, when I start a new collection I first think of a colour palette, not a certain subject,” says Klaus.

The flagship theme of Stenzhorn is, of course, flora and fauna in all its magnificence and diversity. Nature will always play a key part in the pieces of the German jewellery company and even its new logo, an orchid, is directly connected to it. This elegant flower is a symbol of the refined beauty and gentility that defines Stenzhorn’s jewellery. “The art of jewellery making is my way of revealing the secrets of the breath-taking beauty of nature”, says Klaus Stenzhorn. Leopards, tigers, lions, “inhabit” the Wild Life collections, the subjects of which are made with exquisite finesse and invention.

Stenzhorn necklace from The Noble Ones Collection with rubies and diamonds

Stenzhorn necklace from The Noble Ones Collection with rubies and diamonds

Illusion is a collection of jewellery that makes use of the intriguing technique of trompe-l’oeil optical illusion. The butterflies and dragonflies of the collection appear to change colour depending on the angle from which they are viewed. Thanks to this incredibly intriguing effect, it is hard to take your eyes off the jewellery. As you look, you will see how the precious stones sparkle, revealing nearly all the colours of the rainbow. Aided by an abundance of gemstones Klaus wanted to convey the rich palette of colours that he “absorbed” during his travels.

Stenzhorn is also well-known for its original, invisible stone-setting technique, which the house was one of the first to master in diamonds.  Having perfected the art of setting, Stenzhorn has now launched a new high jewellery collection, The Noble Ones, dedicated to an ancient Chinese story of the four seasons, depicted as flowers. The brand also has a fine jewellery collection, Candy, that illustrates the versatility of invisible setting in “everyday” pieces. Despite the fact that I don’t really want to end this story, I’m sure that you have already formed a general impression of the brand and can now tell that Klaus’ signature is always present in each of Stenzhorn’s pieces.

Le Labyrinthe Artistique: Chow Tai Fook Translates Art Into the Language of Jewellery

continue reading

Verified in Vegas: The Biggest Jewellery Trends of the Couture Show 2025

The Couture Show presents a curated view of the best in craftsmanship, design, fresh ideas and originality, which is why it’s such a vital place to forecast the ‘next big thing’. Here’s what I have gleaned from this year’s State-side events

by Sarah Jordan

Instant Charm: Celebrating New Creations with Karina Choudhrie Jewels

Let's take a closer look at the latest pieces that have emerged from Karina's incredible imagination…

by Katerina Perez

Key Facts About Gold: An Ancient Symbol of Power and Luxury

In an age where digital currencies rise and fall, gold remains a universal symbol of stability, beauty, and lasting worth. It is worn on the skin, locked in vaults, and passed down through generations as a living legacy.

by Hirshi Sujanti

Little Legends: The History and Power of Pinky Rings

Pinky rings have long carried cultural weight - from Ancient Mesopotamian seals to Egyptian signets and Japanese kamon heirlooms. Today, the style is experiencing a resurgence, thanks to contemporary designers and a growing list of high-profile wearers, including Meghan Markle, Bruno Mars, Rihanna, Victoria Beckham, Bella Hadid and Emily Ratajkowski

by Joshua Hendren

Forever in Bloom: The Timeless Charm of Flowers in Jewellery

Flowers may fade in a vase, but flowers in jewellery—they bloom eternally

by Hirshi Sujanti

Double Vision: The Art and Allure of Reversible Jewellery

With versatility driving today’s jewellery trends, reversible designs are enjoying a quiet resurgence. From transformable lockets to rotating rings and earrings that change with a flip, these reversible jewellery creations reflect a growing desire for multi-dimensional design.

by Joshua Hendren

Coloured Diamonds: Why They’re Rare, Valuable and Incredibly Collectible

In the world of diamonds, white may be the standard, but colour is where the magic really happens. From blush pinks and oceanic blues to canary yellows and rare violets, coloured diamonds are nature's most extravagant anomaly

by Claire Roberts

Jewellery Manifesto: Tracing Three Pivotal Decades with Pomellato Collezione 1967

With Collezione 1967, Pomellato is presenting its ‘Jewellery Manifesto’ through 75 pieces, each inspired by one of three revolutionary decades in its creative history: the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Let’s take a closer look at the Maison’s artistic signatures, reinvented for a new generation of high jewellery lovers… 

by Sarah Jordan

Pink City Style: The Best-Selling Reversible Jewels of Gyan Jaipur

I would like to tell you more about the brand, its origin story, design inspirations and its popular Jaipur and Yami collections

by Katerina Perez

Fabulous Futures: Le Vian Unveils its 2026 Jewellery Trends in Las Vegas

Here's a rundown of what was included this year…

by Sarah Jordan

Exceptional Splendour: Jaipur Gems Celebrates 50 Years with Abu Dhabi Opening and New High Jewels 

Let me take you on a behind-the-scenes tour of the new Abu Dhabi boutique and share some of my sparkling highlights

by Katerina Perez

Radiating Confidence: The Mother-Daughter Energy Behind Growing Brand Aponine

As one of this year’s Couture show debutants, Turkish brand Aponine impressed me with its blend of colourful creativity, timeless elegance, and stylish femininity. Let’s take a closer look…

by Katerina Perez

Latest Stories

Add articles and images to your favourites. Just

Epic Evolution:Miseno Launches the Arco Collection to Celebrate a Fabulous Decade

I am pleased to present to you my highlights of the new Arco High Jewellery collection, which was formally showcased to the jewellery world at Couture from June 4-8, 2025

by Katerina Perez

Jewels Katerina Perez Loves

Continue Reading

In Conversation:Discussing Paraiba - The Legacy of a Color

with Vogue Singapore

by Katerina Perez

Jewellery Insights straight to your inbox

Style Guide

By using this website, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.