Manawa Kākāriki — Green Heart

This ring is something quite different from most of the taonga I create. I’ve named it Manawa Kākāriki — Green Heart. The name reflects both the deep green hue of the Kawakawa Pounamu and the strong visual focus of the ring, which sits like a heartbeat in the centre of the silverwork. It speaks to the emotional presence of the stone and the powerful connection many of us feel to Pounamu. Worn on the hand, close to the pulse, this taonga becomes a reminder of life, connection, and the quiet strength that comes from within. The heart is not just a symbol of love, but of courage, vitality, and mauri — the life force that flows through all living things.

I carved the triangular Pounamu cabochon at the centre of this piece — a deep green Kawakawa stone with rich natural colour and presence. The shape is a tapatoru, a triangle, which speaks to the number three and its wider symbolism: past, present, future; earth, sky, sea; mind, body, spirit. The stone itself is substantial at 16mm wide, and I took my time refining its smooth, curved form to bring out its flowing lines and depth.

The silverwork is the stunning creation of M.V.H Jewellery, who custom designed and hand-smithed the setting using the lost wax method. This technique dates back thousands of years and involves carving a wax form, which is then replaced with molten metal — a slow and ancient process that allows for incredible detail and texture.

The setting is unlike anything I’ve seen. It weaves together organic strands that seem to flow and merge, like veins or vines or molten silver. Three claw-like points rise out of the silver to hold the Pounamu in place, echoing the triangular shape of the stone and anchoring it visually and symbolically.

I usually work with cord and binding, but this piece challenged me to see Pounamu in a different light. To carve a stone for a ring like this was a privilege — a collaboration across disciplines, and a fusion of natural and crafted beauty.