This New Mermaid-Inspired Jewelry Collection Is a Must-Sea

One look at the Mermaid ring pictured above, and the intricately detailed “shipmates” that comprise the new collection from Ice Cream Candy by Xiao Wang, and you’re instantly transported to the world of Robert Louis Stevenson novels and those enchanting Pre-Raphaelite John William Waterhouse paintings of sirens and water nymphs.

As apt as these references are, Wang was inspired by something else entirely, something way cooler and aligned with her youthful, wildly imaginative, at times rebellious, but always pretty, pretty, pretty aesthetic (read our profile on the designer from when she first came on the scene to learn more about her).

“This collection is inspired by Japanese manga Mermaid Saga,” explains Wang. ”I started with the Mermaid ring. I wanted her to be magical, and so I placed a wand in her hand. I’ve always loved this manga series and the ocean, and both created the perfect mixture of imageries.”

Ice Cream Candy Mermaid mood board and illustrations — *Xiao Wang’s Mermaid collection mood board, featuring her own illustrations in ink and inspo images from Pinterest*

Ice Cream Candy is Wang’s more accessibly priced jewelry line (she also has an incredibly unique, cool-girl couture line starring rough galaxy, champagne, brown, and gray diamonds in 18k gold).

Like all Ice Cream Candy by Xiao Wang jewelry, the pieces are made with recycled 14k gold set with Canadian white diamonds. That each piece is handcrafted via lost wax casting techniques is evident in the line’s remarkable detailing—billowing pirate ship sails, the distinctive ribs of a scallop shell, the uneven edges of branch coral and ruffled sea kelp. You’ll also see the crests of waves and ripples of tidal pools invoked in each piece’s delicate goldwork.

Those braided rope bracelets are a fine seaside holiday souvenir, but these treasures are on a different level, no?

And even if you have gadgets and gizmos aplenty, there’s always room for more!