Paua Shell (Haliotis Iris) is a Natural Sustainable Resource.

Ariki sources Paua shell directly from the divers who hold Paua quota. Paua is protected by a quota system and by the control of the equipment used by the quota holders who must “free dive” without the use of air tanks for their quotas. This system is controlled by the New Zealand Ministry of Primary Industries.

Ariki’s Paua is harvested from the pristine clear coastal waters of New Zealand. These areas are renowned for their water quality, both pollution free and rich in minerals. These minerals give the New Zealand Paua shell its intense depth of colour and thickness of shell.

Paua is part of the Abalone family. Abalone flesh is regarded as a delicacy around the world and the shell is a by product. The Paua shell, when harvested, is coated with a thick layer of marine growth and lime.

In New Zealand, Ariki uses a special process to remove crusty marine growth to reveal the beautiful col-ours and patterns hiding beneath. The shell is polished, cut and shaped to fit jewellery specially created by Ariki’s designers. Ariki selects only the best quality shell for its unique selection of jewellery. There are 12 grades of Paua shell and Ariki uses only the top grade for its jewellery collection.

Paua is often referred to as the Sea Opal due to its blue/green colourings and the incredible swirls that create individual patterns on each and every piece of jewellery.

Ariki is the world’s most successful designer/manufacturer of Paua shell jewellery. Ariki is proud of being a New Zealand based manufacturer employing New Zealanders to produce products for sale in New Zealand, online and overseas.

Ariki uses only the best graded shells for its beautiful selection of natural jewellery.