Who was Gerard Rene?
Photo of Gerard Rene, Circa 1950
Photo of Viola (Rene) Henrius, daughter of Gerard Rene, Circa 1974
The Genesis: A Legacy Forged
The very essence of Gerard Rene begins not in the ordinary, but in the enduring spirit of a visionary. Born in 1920s Jérémie, Haiti, my grandfather, Gerard Rene, lived a life of quiet devotion—a community healer, a steadfast provider, and a man whose dreams stretched across oceans.
Though the boutique he imagined in the United States remained an unfulfilled vision in his lifetime, his pursuit of excellence, legacy, and intention lives on.
Every Gerard Rene creation is a manifestation of that original dream—elevated into art.
This is more than a brand. It is the realization of a generational promise—made tangible through the language of heirloom artistry, bespoke design, and high jewelry as legacy.
Photo of Valdine Henrius Whitter, granddaughter of Gerard Rene
Valdine Henrius-Whitter, Owner and Founder of Gerard Rene
The Artist: Valdine Henrius Whitter
I am Valdine Henrius Whitter, the artist and jeweler who exists where high jewelry converges with fine art. Shaped by a lifelong reverence for exquisite adornment—and a discerning spirit that led me to reimagine my own engagement ring three times—I founded Gerard Rene to create not just objects of beauty, but personal icons.
Here, artistry meets identity. Every creation is guided by intuition, refined through uncompromising craftsmanship, and steeped in purpose. Whether sculpting one-of-a-kind works for collectors or designing bespoke commissions that mark a personal evolution, I offer an unbroken line of intention—from the first stroke of a sketch to the final, gleaming facet.
What I create is not merely a ring. It is legacy—made visible through form, forged through meaning, and destined to endure.
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About Gerard Rene Jewelry
The Vision: Beyond Adornment
In a world oversaturated with the predictable, Gerard Rene offers refuge for the truly discerning. Our collectors do not seek ornament—they seek meaning. A singular, handcrafted masterpiece that speaks their story, articulates their essence, and holds space for their evolving identity.
These are not patrons. They are connoisseurs—curators of personal myth, drawn not to trend, but to rarity. Every Gerard Rene piece is a future heirloom, created to endure, to affirm, and to transform.
The Character We Embody
Bespoke & Singular
Every piece is tailored to the individual’s inner vision—ensuring profound distinction, unmatched luxury, and a sense of inevitability.Empowering Legacy
We create jewelry that affirms identity, marks transitions, and transforms personal history into wearable art.Heirloom-Driven Purpose
Our pieces are designed to honor lineage and define futures—bridging generations with timeless elegance and unrepeatable form.A Refined Language of Luxury
With each creation, we speak in silhouettes and stones—a fluent expression of self, soul, and sublime artistry.Crafted with Time and Intention
Only the finest ethically sourced materials and enduring techniques are used, ensuring that what is made here transcends time.Devoted to the Individual
Our clients are never one of many—they are the one. Every experience is intimate, reverent, and deeply personal.
Step Into the World of Gerard Rene
This isn’t just jewelry—it’s your mythology, forged in metal and meaning. Whether you're commissioning a bespoke engagement ring or acquiring a singular work of art jewelry, each piece becomes a personal icon—crafted with rare materials and unwavering intention.
“A ring for seven lives. A single form to hold them all.”
Commissioned to honor each member of her family, this vision began as all great heirlooms do—with a story only she could tell.
“Every detail, considered. Every angle, intentional.”
From sketch to structure, the design evolved into its destined shape—a dialogue between imagination and precision.
“The completed piece. A future heirloom—ready to echo through generations.”
This seven-stone bezel-set ring now lives as more than adornment. It is an icon of lineage, worn with quiet certainty.
A Shared Purpose
Beyond each gem lies a greater intention. With every Gerard René acquisition, we contribute directly to Haiti—funding a child’s school tuition and daily nourishment. This is not charity. It is heritage. It is reciprocity. It is legacy in action.
Together, we create beauty with purpose.