Australasian Elements: The Arapawa Pendant
TheĀ ArapawaĀ pendant is a symbol of the finest gemstones and pearls to come out of Australasia...Ā
Taking centre stage of this pendantās features is theĀ roundĀ pauaĀ pearl, cultured in the abalone that is only found in suchĀ strikingĀ colours in the waters of New Zealand.Ā Paua pearls have a beautiful blue, green, purple andĀ pink iridescenceĀ and because of the differencesĀ in colour and shape no twoĀ pauaĀ pearls are the same. EachĀ pauaĀ pearl, whether cultured or naturally occurring,Ā is aĀ one-of-a-kindĀ phenomenon.Ā
Surrounding theĀ beautifulĀ pauaĀ pearl areĀ exceptionalĀ roundĀ Argyle pink diamondsĀ from Australia, which are amongst the rarest diamonds in the world. TheseĀ pinkĀ ArgyleĀ diamondsĀ areĀ held between stylisedĀ koruĀ shapesĀ of yellow gold andĀ the brightest whiteĀ pear-shapedĀ diamonds,Ā all ultimateĀ D colourĀ and from VVS-IF in clarity,Ā beautifullyĀ clearĀ gems.Ā TogetherĀ theseĀ whiteĀ and pinkĀ diamondsĀ have aĀ total weightĀ ofĀ overĀ three and a half carats.Ā
ConsiderableĀ timeĀ wasĀ required to bring theĀ platinum, 18ct yellow gold, andĀ fineĀ gemstoneĀ elementsĀ of this gorgeous pendantĀ together.Ā BetweenĀ ourĀ award-winningĀ master jewellersĀ whoĀ eachĀ have an average of 30Ā years experience, it was expertly craftedĀ inĀ ourĀ on-site Wellington jewellery workshop.Ā
The design reflects ancient MÄori symbolism,Ā inĀ both theĀ design pattern and detailing onĀ theĀ front of the pendant as well asĀ onĀ its underside.Ā The patternĀ work and detailingĀ reflectĀ MÄori culture andĀ artĀ broughtĀ together in a classically styled piece, making it a testament toĀ Aotearoaās history.Ā