Pae White Designs Crab-Inspired Rings for Vhernier

During the 2026 Venice Biennale launch, Italian jewelry house Vhernier presented a limited-edition ring collection by American multidisciplinary artist Pae White (born 1963, Pasadena). The collaboration debuted at Palazzo Soranzo Van Axel in Venice, following a February preview at collector Eugenio Lopez's home in Los Angeles. Inspired by crab exoskeletons and shells found on the California coast, White created ten ring designs—each limited to two pieces—featuring abalone mother-of-pearl, jade, rock crystal, sapphires, and diamonds set in white gold. The pieces employ Vhernier's 'Trasparenze' technique, layering rock crystal over precious materials to create magnifying and light-refracting effects. White, known for capturing ephemeral phenomena like time and moonlight, worked closely with Vhernier's master artisans in Valenza. The collaboration began after White noticed a crab-shaped bronze handle on the door of Vhernier's Milan flagship store during a 2023 visit to Kaufmannrepetto gallery, which represents her in Italy. This marks White's debut in high jewelry; she previously created a large colored glass wall on San Giorgio Maggiore Island in Venice in 2017.