Hans Stern, founder and chairman of the board of H.Stern Jewelers, died in late October at age 85.

Stern, born in Essen, Germany, in 1922, emigrated to Brazil with his family in 1939. He founded H.Stern in the 1940s, at first selling only gemstones and later moving into jewelry. Stern is credited with paving the way for the birth of Brazil’s fine-jewelry industry and promoting colored gemstones worldwide.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth; four sons; and six grandchildren.