If you've come across jewellery featuring a warm, honey-coloured stone with a glowing depth unlike anything else, chances are you're looking at kauri gum — one of New Zealand's most extraordinary natural materials.
What is Kauri Gum?
Kauri gum is the fossilised resin of the ancient kauri tree (Agathis australis), a species native to the northern regions of New Zealand's North Island. Over thousands — and sometimes millions — of years, resin that fell or seeped from these giant trees became buried in swampy ground and slowly hardened into a semi-precious material prized for its beauty and rarity.
Unlike amber found in other parts of the world, kauri gum is uniquely New Zealand. It ranges in colour from pale cream and golden yellow through to deep amber and rich brown, often with beautiful internal patterns, inclusions, and a warm translucency that catches the light beautifully.
A Material with Deep History
Māori people knew kauri gum long before European settlers arrived, using it as a fire-starter and chewing gum. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, kauri gum became a major New Zealand export — used in varnishes, linoleum, and paints around the world. Thousands of men known as "gum diggers" worked the swampy gumfields of Northland, unearthing pieces that had lain buried for centuries.
Today, kauri gum is a protected and finite resource. No new gum is being formed — what exists is all that will ever exist — which makes each piece genuinely precious.
Kauri Gum in Jewellery
Set in sterling silver or gold, kauri gum makes for jewellery that is both distinctly New Zealand and timelessly beautiful. Each piece of gum is unique: no two stones share the same colour, pattern, or internal character. Wearing kauri gum jewellery means carrying a piece of New Zealand's ancient natural history with you.
It's a meaningful gift for anyone with a connection to Aotearoa — whether they were born here, have visited, or simply love the story behind the stone.
Caring for Kauri Gum
Kauri gum is softer than gemstones like sapphire or diamond, so it benefits from a little care:
- Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, which can cause fading over time.
- Keep away from harsh chemicals, perfumes, and cleaning products.
- Clean gently with a soft, damp cloth.
- Store separately to avoid scratching from harder stones or metals.
Treated with care, kauri gum jewellery will remain beautiful for generations.
Browse our kauri gum jewellery collection and find a piece that speaks to you.