Our company started in the Jewellery industry exporting Natural Paua pearls to Europe and Japan. We exhibited at the worlds Major Jewellery Fairs in Germany, Italy, Austria and Japan, working with Austrias' Top Goldsmiths and Jewellers to bring Designer Collections to the market.
Through this work I became fascinated with what went into making Jewellery the old way & with the history of goldsmithing in Europe. I also developed my knowledge and interest in gemstones.
Later I did a goldsmith apprenticeship under Master Goldsmith Michael Eippeldauer of Vienna and studies at the Viennese Goldsmith Academy under the tutorship of Master Goldsmith Alfred Roemer. Three years later I opened our first store in St Polten, Austria and expanded soon after in a wholesale operation.
In 2005 we opened a second store run by my mother Isobel Tamati.
I attained third place in the International Tahitian Pearl Trophy competition in 2006 with my creation Fire and Ice.
In 2007 I returned to New Zealand and bought a opal cutting business and expanded our range, exhibiting in some other shops throughout the North Island.
We specialise in designs influenced by my Maori and pacific region heritage, my love for nature and the gems its produces and my European Education. We have a large range of opals in store and my creations often showcase Opals, Tahitian Pearls, Paua pearls (natural and cultured), Paua shell, Greenstone and freshwater pearls in Sterling silver predominantly and in Gold.
We also make commission pieces giving people the chance to have unique one of a kind pieces made.
I work in closely with fellow Jeweller Daryl Goble. My Father Cyril who is a leading landscape artist also exhibits in our shop in New Plymouth offering originals and prints.
In my other life I am a professional Adventurer/Ultramarathon runner, author of two books, documentary maker, Tv Presenter, Running Coach and Corporate Speaker