The Story Behind the Silver

My name is Peter Fraser, and I make jewellery by hand in New Zealand.

Every piece I create begins with a material that carries its own story — ancient kauri gum formed over 45,000 years ago, pounamu (greenstone) revered by Māori as a taonga, and silver that has lived a previous life, reclaimed and given new purpose. My role is simply to honour what these materials already are.

The Craft

I work in fine silver, shaping each piece by hand using traditional silversmithing techniques. There are no moulds, no mass production — only the quiet, deliberate work of making something that will last. Each piece takes time, and that time is part of what you hold when you wear it.

The process is unhurried by design. I believe the best jewellery is made slowly, with attention to every join, every surface, every decision about form. The result is a piece that feels considered — because it was.

The Materials

Kauri Gum

New Zealand kauri gum is a fossilised resin, buried in the earth for tens of thousands of years. It ranges in colour from pale honey to deep amber, and each piece is entirely unique. Working with kauri gum connects a piece of jewellery to deep geological time — a reminder that beauty can be ancient.

Pounamu

Pounamu — greenstone or nephrite jade — holds profound significance in Māori culture. It is a taonga, a treasure, associated with strength, protection, and the land of Aotearoa. I work with pounamu with care and respect for its cultural meaning, using it in ways that honour rather than diminish its significance.

Recycled & Upcycled Silver

Where possible, I work with recycled and upcycled silver. Fine jewellery should not come at unnecessary cost to the environment. Using reclaimed silver reduces the demand for newly mined metal and gives existing material a new and lasting form.

Made for Keeps

I make jewellery for people who want to wear something meaningful — a piece with a provenance, a material with a history, and a maker who stands behind their work. These are not fast-fashion accessories. They are objects made to be kept, passed on, and worn for a lifetime.

If you have a question about a piece, I would love to hear from you.