The Pearl Girls Discovered our Pearl Jewellery
Last week, we had some very special guests: The Pearl Girls spent three wonderful days on Arapaoa Island, at our Little Colonsay Beach House.
It was a beautiful opportunity for them to discover our unique process of creating abalone pearls. They truly appreciated their journey here and fell in love with many pieces from our pearl jewellery collection. I was honoured to host them, and today I'm excited to share more about this lovely encounter through an interview with them—offering you a glimpse into their experience and thoughts on our sets of pearls.
Meet The Pearl Girls: Passionate Explorers of Pearl Jewellery
The Pearl Girls at Arapaoa Island, New Zealand
The Pearl Girls is a women-owned jewellery company based in Athens, Georgia, USA. Founded by India Rows, they specialize in creating and repairing pearl jewellery and sourcing pearls from around the world. Their offerings include a wide range of pearl jewellery, from classic necklaces to custom-designed pieces, and they are known for their expertise in pearl knotting and repair services. The Pearl Girls also engage in pearl expeditions, traveling globally to source unique pearls, including abalone pearls from New Zealand. Their commitment to quality and craftsmanship has made them a trusted name in the pearl jewellery industry.
The Uniqueness of Abalone Pearls
Unlike traditional pearls, abalone pearls—or paua pearls, as they’re known in Māori—are among the rarest and most striking gems in the world of pearl jewellery. These pearls come from the Haliotis iris, a native species of abalone found only in New Zealand. With their natural iridescence and rich ocean hues, no two abalone pearls are ever the same, making each one a true treasure.
Pearl jewellery: Santa Cruz Earrings
At Arapawa Blue Pearls, the creation of each set of pearls is a slow and meticulous journey that spans eight years, involving sustainable and ethical aquaculture practices. These rare gems are not only beautiful—they are deeply connected to the land, sea, and culture of New Zealand. It is this connection that The Pearl Girls came to discover firsthand as they immersed themselves in the origin story behind every piece of our handcrafted pearl jewellery.
Interview with The Pearl Girls
How did you initially hear about Arapawa Blue Pearls?
The Pearl Girls: What I think is—you reached out to me and said, “I’m culturing abalone pearls in New Zealand.” And I said, because I have this degree in pearls, “You can’t culture an abalone pearl!” That’s what I learned in school. Like, no—you just can’t, because they’re hemophiliac.
And you were like, “I know… and we are culturing pearls.”
That’s all I remember—because then I had you on the brain, like, yeah, we’re going to New Zealand to learn more about your paua pearls.
What does a pearl mean to you?
The Pearl Girls: It’s a lot about lineage, about grandmothers and about going to church on Sundays—all those things that pearls represent. And then we went to French Polynesia—suddenly pearls got a lot sexier. And now we’re coming here and discovering that these pearls are about connection—it’s the land and the sea, it’s New Zealand. It’s a pearl of New Zealand. And when I see that piece around your neck, it looks like planet Earth. That’s what it feels like—the sea and the land, and like coming home to who we are as people.
What was your favourite moment here?
The Pearl Girls: The food! The crayfish we ate yesterday was fabulous. And the food—it’s like an extension of the pearls. Everything comes from the land here. Nothing is manufactured.
Even going to bed was something—you just melted solidly. We had no trouble sleeping.
Antonia: I know what you mean. Many people who come here with busy lives tell me they’ve had the best sleep!
The Emotional Connection People Feel with Our Pearls
For many of our visitors, choosing a piece of pearl jewellery goes beyond aesthetics—it’s about memory, meaning, and connection. One conversation I had with Talei and The Pearl Girls stayed with me. We were talking about how jewellery can hold deep personal significance.
I shared a story about my own mother, and how everything I do today is rooted in what she taught me. Talei then spoke about fantail birds, those little native New Zealand birds which, in indigenous culture, are seen as messengers—spirits of loved ones who have passed, checking in on us. She said, “Whenever we see them, it’s really special.” And she’s right. One of The Pearl Girls even told us that, the night before, a fantail kept fluttering close as she walked along the beach. A small, meaningful sign—just when the heart is open to noticing.
The fantail bird
Moments like that remind me that our abalone pearls aren’t just rare treasures from the sea—they carry something deeper. They hold space for memory, heritage, and the quiet presence of those who came before us. Each set of pearls tells a story, and sometimes, they whisper a message only the wearer can truly hear.
A Harmony Born of the Ocean
That’s also why I’ve always felt there’s something incredibly special about a set of pearls. When you wear more than one piece—from a pendant to matching earrings or a bracelet—it’s like the ocean is speaking in harmony. Each pearl has its own character, shape, and shade, but together they create something unified and deeply personal.
The Pearl Girls wearing their set of pearls
Our abalone pearls are wild at heart—no two are ever the same. And yet, when you find a group that just belongs together, there’s a quiet magic to it. It’s not about perfection. It’s about balance. About pieces that echo one another, just like people do. That’s what I think our visitors feel when they try on a full set: a sense of completeness, of connection, of being fully adorned by nature itself.
Pearl jewellery, People, and Stories We Share
Welcoming The Pearl Girls to Arapaoa Island was a gift. It reminded me why we do what we do—not just to grow abalone pearls but to create connections. Between land and sea, people and place, past and present.
The Pearls Girls x Arapawa Blue Pearls
Our pearl jewellery isn’t just about beauty—it’s about belonging. Whether someone chooses a single pearl or a complete set of pearls, what they’re really choosing is a piece of New Zealand, a moment of stillness, or a memory they want to carry close.
This visit brought together two worlds—our quiet island farm and their vibrant world of storytelling and craftsmanship. And in that meeting, something special was shared. I hope you feel it too, as you explore their journey through this story.
Find more on The Pearl Girls website
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