The noble beauty of owls is captured in fine detail as part of
jewellery designer Nick Von K’s newest collection
Pounamu, owls, and the essence of New Zealand are infused in jewellery designer Nick Von Klawill’s newest collection.
The striking new Owl Guardian creations are the latest addition to the Nick Von K Homeland Collection, a showcase of New Zealand-inspired handmade pieces.
Homeland was sparked by Nick’s love of all that makes New Zealand so unique and special. The Morepork or Ruru is the native New Zealand owl and regarded in Māori tradition as a watchful guardian. As a bird of the night, it is considered to be connected to the Spirit world.
Nick’s appreciation of the beautiful Ruru has inspired his new Owl Guardian Collection, which consists of a sterling silver and pounamu ring, earrings, and a necklace pendant. The ring features two Ruru Owls on either side of a 10mm round cabochon of New Zealand pounamu. The matching Owl Guardian earrings and pendant have the pounamu cabochon held beautifully between their wings.
“The inspiration for this collection comes from my love of owls in general and having been lucky enough to witness a couple of our native Rurus on Waiheke last winter,” explains Nick.
“Seeing an owl in the wild is amazing as they hold you in their gaze with their great big eyes, they are quiet and peaceful but they watch you intently. It’s a special experience,” he adds.
Nick personally sources all pounamu used in his pieces by travelling to Hokitika and buying stone directly from the locals there, who he enjoys long-standing relationships with. The pounamu is found there in rivers of that area, water-tumbled smooth by the journey down from the mountains. The word pounamu means treasure and Nick says for him, working with pounamu feels like the crystalised form of the green lifeblood that flows through natural New Zealand.
“As a Kiwi, I create designs that remind me of my connection to this land and are distillations of our identity and connection to this beautiful place I am so lucky to call home.”
The Owl Guardian collection is available online now and in-store at Nick Von K studio in Auckland.
Images supplied