Sweden is a Scandinavian nation with thousands of coastal islands and inland lakes, along with vast boreal forests and glaciated mountains. Its principal cities, eastern capital Stockholm and southwestern Gothenburg and Malmö, are all coastal. Stockholm is built on 14 islands. It has more than 50 bridges, as well as the medieval old town, Gamla Stan, royal palaces and museums such as open-air Skansen.

Swedish history is closely linked with Vikings and although when picturing the ancient Vikings, jewellery does not usually come to the mind. Most people picture warriors with swords, wearing round metal helmets with horns coming out of the side. However, these ancient Norse people also made beautiful rings, bracelets, necklaces and other types of jewellery out of precious metals such as gold and silver. Early in their history the Vikings made very simple jewellery but later on in the Viking era they began creating more intricate pieces.

Men and women were both fans of the shiny metal objects that would have added some glamour to their world.

And of course in the present day our beautiful unique Ariki New Zealand Paua Shell Jewellery is both shiny and very glamourous and proves to be very popular with the people of Sweden.