Norman and Norah Stone were admired for their philanthropy, colorful and fearless sense of fashion and their passion for modern art. Norman Stone (1939–2021) served as a staff psychologist at the mental health center for the Bayview Hunters Point Foundation for Community Improvements in San Francisco, California where he counseled patients for schizophrenia, addiction and depression. Norah Stone (1938–2019) earned a nursing degree from the University of Alberta and a law degree from the San Francisco Law School. She also logged countless hours with San Francisco non-profits, such as NARAL Pro-Choice America and the San Francisco Child Abuse Program.

The Stones shared and an exuberant and generous approach to life, reflected in their art collecting and personal style. The couple began acquiring art in the early 1990s. Under the guidance of John Caldwell, the curator for the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, they acquired important contemporary pieces from artists such as Jan de Cock, Robert Gober, Jeff Koons, Cindy Sherman and Andy Warhol. For over a decade, Artnews magazine named the Stones among the top 200 collectors worldwide. In addition to collecting, Norman and Norah actively supported the global art community through their involvement in various museums and foundations, serving as trustees of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and members of the National Committee of the Whitney Museum and the Tate International Council in London.

Norman and Norah maintained and curated an extensive collection of art and outdoor installations. This incredible collection adorned their San Francisco home and northern Napa Valley property known as ‘Stonescape’, a 17 acre villa with an active vineyard, an historic farmhouse, large scale sculptures including James Turrell’s ‘Stone Sky’, and a unique art cave created by Brooklyn architectural firm Bade Stageberg Cox. The Stones described the focus of their collection as their “personal interest in conceptualism, current cultural issues, and various forms of expression including sculpture, media and photography, in addition to painting.” They shared a close relationship with the artists themselves, and perused art and emerging artists who addressed contemporary issues.

In addition to their pursuit of art collecting, the Stones were well known for their eclectic and joyful sense of fashion, which manifested in whimsical and colorful outfits that were a further extension of the couple’s creativity. Considering the Stones’ patronage of modern art and appreciation of vibrant colors and daring design, it is no wonder that Norman and Norah also shared a love of JAR jewelry. One of the world’s most-coveted contemporary jewelers, Joel Arthur Rosenthal is celebrated for pioneering jewels, which delight in their innovative design anchored by masterful craftsmanship and an instantly-recognizable aesthetic. The present brooch features a combination of bold gemstones, unique construction and is a work of modern art in itself. Moreover, it embodies the creative spirit of Norman and Norah which resonated through every aspect of their lives.