The Blue Pearl Journal

At Arapawa Blue Pearls, we believe that jewellery is more than just an accessory; it’s a story. Each piece we create carries not only the natural beauty of our blue pearl NZ treasures but also the rich traditions and deep...

Whaling Station Opening 2010 Toni Halliday (née Cormack) sat down with interviewer Loreen Brehaut in January 2006 to share a vivid oral history of life in Tory Channel, New Zealand, a remote part of Marlborough Sounds history steeped in tradition,...

Planning your wedding involves many important decisions, from the venue to the dress, and of course, the jewellery that will complete your look. The right pieces can add elegance, sparkle, and personality to your special day. Whether you're searching for...

An Oral History of Whaling Life, Maori Family Traditions, and Rural New Zealand Childhoods. On two late-winter days in 2006, Ria Wilson (née Norton) sat in her Grovetown home and spoke with interviewer Loreen Brehaut,  opening a window into a...

  For July babies, the fiery red ruby is the traditional birthstone; bold, brilliant, and intense. But not everyone resonates with bright red gemstones. At Arapawa Blue Pearls, we believe in celebrating individuality. That’s why we’ve created something different: a...

  When shopping for pearl jewellery, understanding pearl grade is essential. Whether you’re admiring a luminous abalone pearl or looking for the perfect gift, knowing how pearls are graded helps you make informed choices.  Mike and I are passionate about...

  There are days on Arapaoa Island that are so perfect, I half-expect a movie crew to pop out from behind a bush and yell, "And that’s a wrap! Perfect take!" One of those cinematic, pinch-me days was when Simon...

  For a generation of Marlborough children, the winter months didn’t just bring cold southerlies; they brought the call of the Channel. From the 1950s to the early 1960s, in May, families from Picton, Waikawa, and Blenheim packed up homes...

  Stuart Smith with the Arapawa Blue Pearls team after a memorable paua farm tour. Earlier this month, Arapawa Blue Pearls had the honour of hosting Stuart Smith MP, Member of Parliament for Kaikōura at our family-owned paua farm located on...

  A Hatchery Mystery One of the common questions we hear on our pearl farm tours starts with a fascinated gaze into one of our tanks and ends with: “But how do you count them all?” Imagine walking into our...

  June in New Zealand doesn't exactly roll in with sunny beach days and tropical breezes. It arrives with a chill in the air and a few extra layers (not that it stops some from proudly wearing shorts) and a...

So, you’ve treated yourself to a pair of our signature Arapawa Blue Pearl earrings, congratulations! Or maybe you’re still daydreaming about them (we get it). Either way, you’re wondering: “But are they easy to care for?” Short answer: yes. Long...

  Got a big day on the horizon? Then it’s time to find a wedding ring that’s more than just beautiful, it should mean something. Your ring should tell your story, reflect your values, and celebrate your commitment to one...

  It happens every single time. The moment we restock the pearl paua shell necklace, it's gone. Like socks in a dryer. Poof. Gone. Within days, this exquisite pearl necklace disappears from our store, into the hands of lucky humans...

  Are you searching for jewellery that won’t just survive the trends, but become part of your story? Nothing captures timeless beauty quite like a pair of pearl diamond earrings. Some things in life are just meant to be: coffee...

  The starfish has no backbone, yet it never breaks. It glides with quiet confidence, adapts without fuss, and holds a kind of sea wisdom that doesn’t need to shout. That same quiet strength lives within our Starfish Pearl Necklace. Our...

  Who you gonna call? Pearl Myth Busters! (cue dramatic music) Beneath the elegance and timeless beauty of pearl earrings lies a web of myths, whispers of false lies that cloud their true wonder. It’s time to sweep away the...

Pearls meet modern masculinity. Explore the story behind men's jewellery today. When most people think about pearls, their minds jump straight to classy women’s jewellery - elegance, tradition and refinement. But if you look through history (and at the runaways...

  Discover the quiet power of pearl earrings, a symbol of elegance, intention, and connection to the sea. At Arapawa Blue Pearls, each pair tells a story born in the wild waters of New Zealand, where beauty takes time and nature...

At Arapawa Blue Pearls, every blue pearl ring has a story, some romantic, some transformative, and some... suspiciously magical. These little ocean gems have been whispered about for centuries, believed to spark love, shower you with luck, boost your wisdom,...

  From ocean to workshop, every step is taken with care. This is where our story begins. There's something compelling about simplicity. In a world full of noise, bold trends, and fast fashion, choosing something understated-but full of meaning-feels like...