Tags
argillite, art, fashion, hand crafted, jewellery, jewelry, maori, mens, nelson, nz, pakohe, style, wedding, wedding band, wedding ring
Particularly associated with the Nelson-Marlborough region of New Zealand, early Maori communities recognised its superior qualities of hardness, strength, and ability to hold a sharpened edge, which made it ideal for making tools (especially adzes) and weapons.
Recently a customer asked me to make a men’s wedding band utilising a piece of pakohe, part of which was also used in his partner’s wedding band.
I loved the sentimental (and historical) significance of the stone. There’s something really special about creating a piece of wearable art with an earth-created stone that has holds so much meaning – not only to the person wearing it, but to the generations who have passed before.