Pounamu Cuff Links

I recently had the privilege of carving a special set of taonga for a groom and his groomsmen — five pairs of cuff links, each made from deep green translucent Kawakawa Pounamu. This stone was carefully selected and sliced to create a sense of unity across all the pieces.

Each cuff link features a hand-carved cabochon in a rectangular shape, about 25mm long, 15mm wide, and 4mm thick. I carved each one organically by hand, meaning the corners are softly rounded and no two pieces are exactly the same. Each set carries its own small variations — the marks of being handmade — and those slight differences are what give each pair their character.

The cabochons have been left slightly rough on the back to give a better surface for adhesion. A friend of the customer will be finishing the pieces by setting the Pounamu onto the cuff link hardware. This collaboration brings another layer of meaning to the taonga, involving more hands and connections in their final form.

The meaning behind these taonga goes beyond the wedding day. All the pieces come from the same slice of stone, symbolising the shared connection between the men who will wear them. The Pounamu links them together through this important moment in time — not only as part of a bridal party, but as whānau, friends, and brothers. These are taonga that can be worn with pride and carried into the future, a lasting reminder of the day and the bond they share.