Connection Collection

A quiet meditation on the beauty of what holds us — sculptural jewellery, shaped by hand, grounded in stone, and made to be worn close. This contemporary collection explores the invisible threads that tie us to place, to memory, to one another. Tactile and intentional, each piece is a small anchor in the everyday.

A reminder of what matters.

Stone

I carve pounamu (nephrite jade, serpentine), but often work with less familiar New Zealand stones such as pakohe (argillite) and ōnewa (greywacke), among others. Each has its own presence, weight, and integrity — chosen for how it feels as much as how it looks.

  • Pounamu (Nephrite Jade) — A dense, metamorphic stone formed deep within the earth around 140–200 million years ago. Its structure of tightly interlocked tremolite crystals makes it exceptionally strong and smooth to the touch. Found in the South Island, pounamu has long been treasured in Māori culture as a stone of strength, connection, and protection.

  • Pounamu (Serpentine) —Formed under similar conditions as nephrite, serpentine is a softer, more varied stone ranging in colour from mossy green to warm brown. Formed around 140–200 million years ago, it’s found near jade-bearing zones. While less durable, it shares cultural significance and is appreciated for its warmth and natural variation.

  • Pakohe (Argillite)— A fine-grained sedimentary stone hardened over 200–250 million years through low-grade metamorphism. Found primarily in the Nelson region, pakohe is smooth, dense, and dark in tone. Traditionally used for tools and blades, it carries a sense of quiet strength and enduring purpose.

  • Ōnewa (Greywacke) — A rugged, grey stone formed from ancient seabed sediments compressed 200–300 million years ago. Rich in mineral fragments and shaped by tectonic uplift, ōnewa is found throughout New Zealand. Strong and grounded, it was often used for weapons and tools, valued for its resilience and weight.

Two Paths

These sets reflect two distinct approaches within the collection: one centres on sculptural, statement forms; the other embraces simple, contemporary designs for everyday wear. Both are crafted with care, inviting connection through form and balance, offering meaningful options to gift or wear.

Made to come together.

Mud and Stone Studios - Signature Forms

Signature Forms

These sculptural pieces sit at the heart of the Connection collection. Hand-carved and quietly bold, they explore presence, memory, and the enduring rhythms that shape us. Designed as statement pieces, they reflect the deeper threads that tie us to one another, to place, and to what matters most.

Mud and Stone Studios - Signature Forms
Mud and Stone Studios - Essentials

Essentials

Refined, contemporary forms made for everyday wear, carrying forward the essence of the collection. Designed to be lived with — easy, honest, and refined — these pieces focus on form, balance, and connection.