A necklace from the ocean
Some stories are carried through generations, hidden in keepsakes that wait for the right moment to be brought to life. This custom jewellery piece began with a remarkable find — an ancient shark tooth, discovered by a New Zealand family of passionate gatherers and fossil hunters. Once part of a landscape shaped by the sea and mountains that were long ago submerged beneath the ocean, this tooth had been treasured in their family for many years.
When they brought it to me, the vision was clear: transform this natural relic into a wearable memory without losing its raw, ancient beauty. I began by taking an impression of the tooth and shaping the rest of the design from wax. Using the lost wax casting method, molten sterling silver was poured into the form, capturing every curve and texture.
Once cast, I filed and shaped the pendant, creating a smooth, comfortable backside and a custom ring to suspend it. The top portion of the tooth was left completely untouched, preserving its original fossilized surface — a tangible connection to the past. The edges and tip were gently polished to bring out their definition, giving the piece a refined yet authentic feel.
The result is more than just a pendant. It’s a story — of ocean history, of a family’s adventures, and of a treasure transformed into something that can be worn and cherished every day.