Miniature Pāua Shell Pair Necklace

What's the difference between the kōta and kina version?
Both start with the same juvenile pāua shell — you're choosing its partner. Kōta is a wheel shell, its natural spiral echoing the koru: new beginnings, growth, the journey home. Kina is a sea urchin — the rocks, the reef, family holidays and gathering kai. Same price either way. It's just a question of which story you'd rather wear.

What exactly are pāua, kōta, and kina?
Pāua is New Zealand abalone — that blue-green iridescent shell that looks almost unreal in the light. Kōta is a wheel shell, small and tightly spiralled. Kina is a sea urchin, native to New Zealand waters. All three are real shells, set by hand using clay I make from sand I collect on the beaches near my home in the Bay of Islands.

Are the pāua shells sustainably sourced?
Yes. My pāua shells come from a farm in Bluff, in the deep south of New Zealand. Pāua farming is done for the meat — the shells are a byproduct of that process. Rather than go to waste, they come to me.

Are the kōta shells sustainably sourced?
Yes. Kōta are abundant right along the New Zealand coast, and I collect every one myself — empty, washed up, already finished with. Nothing is ever taken alive.

Are the kina shells sustainably sourced?
Yes. I beachcomb them myself on beaches up here in the Far North, and source some from divers involved in restoring kina barrens on local reefs.

What is a kina barren?
When kina populations get out of control, they graze through entire kelp forests — stripping the reef bare and leaving behind what's called a kina barren. It's an underwater desert. The divers I work with remove kina from these areas to give the kelp a chance to recover. The shells that come to me are part of that process.

Why does my pāua shell look different to the pāua I've seen in other jewellery?
Most pāua jewellery uses the inner mother of pearl — polished back to reveal that bold blue and green you've probably seen everywhere. Mine are juvenile raw shells, used whole. I clean and lightly polish each one to give a little sheen, but the lustre is subtle by nature. What you're looking at is the miniature size and natural outer surface of a real shell — and honestly, I think that's the more interesting thing.

Will mine look exactly like the photos?
Close, but not identical. These are natural shells, not cast jewellery — so the size, pattern, shape, and colour will vary from piece to piece. That's exactly why I offer just four variants, to keep the variation within a range I'm happy with. But within that range, what you receive is genuinely one of a kind. Nobody else in the world has the exact same necklace as you.

Won't the shells break? They look fragile.
It's a fair concern. Kina shells are naturally delicate, so I reinforce each one from the inside with resin — it strengthens the shell without changing how it looks. Kōta is a sturdier shell to begin with, so it goes in as nature made it, no reinforcing needed. The pāua shell is set into my beach sand clay setting, which holds and protects it. Every shell is tougher than it looks.

Silver or Gold?
Both chains are stainless steel — tarnish-resistant, hypoallergenic, and water-resistant. Silver is clean and timeless. Gold is warm and a little bolder. Either way, the shells do the talking.

How long is the chain?
45–50cm. It sits at the collarbone.

Can I wear the shells separately — or add other pendants to the chain?
Yes to both. The necklace gives you three ways to wear it: both shells together, pāua alone, or your second shell alone. And because it's a standard chain, you can also slide on other pendants and charms — including pieces from the rest of my range.

How long before my order ships?
I make each piece by hand, so please allow 4–7 business days before it's ready to leave me.

Does it come gift-wrapped?
Yes. Your necklace arrives in a soft micro-suede pouch, wrapped in a simple, salt-of-the-earth style gift wrap. Whether you're gifting it to someone you love or treating yourself — and both are equally valid reasons — the unwrapping will be a delight.

Do you ship internationally?
Yes — to Australia ($17), the US ($30), and the EU ($25). International delivery is 5–15 working days via NZ Post. Any customs or import duties are the buyer's responsibility.

Is it waterproof?
The stainless steel chain handles water well, but I'd recommend taking it off before swimming or showering — mainly to protect the shell and resin setting.

How do I clean it?
Wipe the shell and setting with a soft cloth. A little mineral oil on the pāua brings up the colour nicely. For the chain, a gentle cloth or soft soap and water does the job. Keep it out of prolonged direct sunlight — resin and organic materials can shift colour over time.

The setting looks darker than the photos — is that normal?
Completely normal. I make the setting from epoxy clay and real beach sand. It darkens slightly with contact and natural skin oils. I think it adds character.

What if my item arrives damaged?
Email me within 7 days of receiving it with a photo and your order number. I'll sort a replacement, refund, or store credit — and cover return shipping.

Can I swap to a different variant?
Yes. Cover the return shipping ($6 standard NZ / $9.50 rural) and any price difference between variants, then send the piece back to me at: Rina Ward, 35 Kendall Rd, Kerikeri 0230. Transfer fees to ASB – Nostalgem Ltd | 12-3030-0712678-00, and email me your tracking number. Once it arrives I'll get your new piece on its way.

Can I return it if I've changed my mind?
Yes — as long as it's unused, in its original condition and packaging, and returned within 60 days of delivery. Return shipping is on you. Email me your order number and I'll walk you through it.