Hailing from Russia, designer Maria Stern splits her time between studying art history at Moscow State University and making jewelry for her namesake label. A devout adherent to the principles of minimalism—a design philosophy she likens to ancient Classicism—Stern creates understated luxury accessories for the discerning woman. Embodying a purity of design, Stern crafts her architectural women’s jewelry from precious metals including 24k gold and sterling silver. Architectural shapes, such as Stern’s signature floating pearl rings, foreground the interplay between positive and negative space, between jewelry and the body. Stern updates timeless accessories—the signet ring, for example—with an ultramodern touch. Classic hoop earrings are rendered in alluring interlocking shapes, while the oval face of a ring is polished to a mirrored finish. Rigid spiral chokers and cuff bracelets, alongside elongated post earrings break from convention altogether, drawing unexpected inspiration from quotidien objects to explore novelty of form within the métier.