Fiji Shells

My favourite Pacific shell, the nautilus, is the inspiration for this design. The energy of our swirling ocean is represented by spiralling sand lines drawn in white coral sand from Yasawa beaches, and dark, volcanic sand from Nadi’s Wailoaloa Beach. Perfect nautilus shells can usually only be obtained by killing live specimens. Help to protect our reefs from such environmentally damaging practices by collecting a shell like this one, painted on masi made from plantation-grown trees, a renewable natural resource. 

Fijian ‘masi’, also called barkcloth, is produced by village women on islands such as Vatulele. A renewable resource, masi is made by harvesting strips of bark from specially grown paper-mulberry trees. Each piece takes days to process, involving repeated pounding, soaking and stretching. These traditional skills are passed on from generation to generation, with certain clans being considered the experts in masi-making. The uneven quality of the masi reflects its handmade origin.

Maria Rova lives in Nadi, Fiji. Her artwork is inspired by the wildlife, culture, and scenery of the Pacific, especially that of the remote island of Taveuni to the north of the Fiji group, which is home to her husband’s traditional clan. Sustained by forest and reef, Taveuni villagers still follow many of the ancient cultural practices that give Fijian people their unique identity. The artist wishes to acknowledge gratefully the impact that her Fijian family has had on her work. 

These earrings are made from Fiji Mother Of Pearl shell that has been ground, cut, shaped and polished to give the perfect shape of a full moon. The Mother of Pearl shells are sourced by Rako Pasefika from the North of Fiji. The earrings are finished with sterling silver hoops. They are packaged in a hand-made masi pouch, made out of the inner bark of the paper Mulberry tree. Masi (or Tapa) is a famous Fijian cloth that is beautiful and natural, and complements the MOP shells. A beautiful Fijian treasure, Mother of Pearl earrings coupled with a Masi pouch, ideal as a gift.

Rako Pasefika have carefully designed each piece so that the natural Fijian materials used have no customs restrictions. Each piece of Mother of Pearl shell has been carefully processed - this means it has been sanded, oiled and polished.

The only materials that have customs restrictions are feathers, Clam Shell, Red Vaivai seeds and any other seeds. That's why none of the Rako jewellery range contains these items. These are truly special, hand-made pieces that are unique to Fiji and Rako's Rotuman roots.

This Fiji Marine Motifs silk artwork is part of a series of Limited Edition Originals, each painted by hand. It features a Fiji Dolphin, Fiji Fish and Fiji shell. Nadi-based artist Maria Rova uses dyes and resist on pure, white silk to create vivid compositions that express her love for Fiji. The wildlife, culture, and scenery of Rova’s South Pacific home are themes that run throughout her award-winning work.

The frame surrounding the silk painting is made from traditional Fijian ‘masi’, also called barkcloth. This is hand-crafted by village women on the island of Vatulele. A renewable resource, ‘masi’ is made by harvesting strips of bark from specially grown paper-mulberry trees. Each piece takes day to process, involving repeated pounding, soaking, and stretching. These traditional skills are passed on from generation to generation, with certain clans being considered the experts in masi-making. The uneven quality of the masi reflects its handmade origin.

Framing instructions

This artwork has been left unframed for ease of shipping.

When ready to frame, simply peel the painting from its temporary backing and mount on a coloured background of your choice, leaving the rough edges of the masi showing to enhance its natural look.

Inspired by Fiji's natural beauty, the Turtleshell necklace represents the orange and gold of Fiji's turtles. 

The pendant is made from recycled glass which is broken up and fused together in a top-loading kiln. The pendant is then smoothed and the adjustable cord attached. 

A beautiful, hand-blown necklace which brings you a taste of the Fiji islands!

This Fiji Marine Motifs silk artwork is part of a series of Limited Edition Originals, each painted by hand. It features a Fiji Octopus, Fiji Flower, Fiji Shell and Fiji Crab. Artist M. W. Rova uses pure, white silk and dyes to create the vivid compositions for which she is known. Rova’s art is inspired by the wildlife, culture, and scenery of tropical Fiji, where she lives with her young family.

The frame surrounding the silk painting is made from traditional Fijian ‘masi’, also called barkcloth. This is produced by village women on the island of Vatulele. A renewable resource, ‘masi’ is made by harvesting strips of bark from specially grown paper-mulberry trees. Each piece takes day to process, involving repeated pounding, soaking, and stretching. These traditional skills are passed on from generation to generation, with certain clans being considered the experts in masi-making. The uneven quality of the masi reflects its handmade origin.

Framing instructions

This artwork has been left unframed for ease of shipping.

When ready to frame, simply peel the painting from its temporary backing and mount on a coloured background of your choice, leaving the rough edges of the masi showing to enhance its natural look.

This piece is made from Mother of Pearl shells and waxed thread. The thread is braided together to give a rope like design which the shells are attached to. The chord is beautifully crafted, giving a lovely authentic feel to the necklace.

There are 11 Mother Of Pearl shells fastened together with sterling silver. The shells have been ground, cut, shaped and polished to give the perfect round shape. These Mother of Pearl shells are sourced from the North of Fiji.

The necklace is packaged in a hand-made masi pouch, made out of the inner bark of the paper Mulberry tree. Masi is a famous Fijian cloth that is beautiful and natural, and complements the MOP shells. A beautiful Fijian treasure, Mother of Pearl necklace coupled with a Masi pouch, ideal as a gift. Matching earrings are available.

Rako have carefully designed each piece so that the natural Fijian materials used have no customs restrictions. Each piece of Mother of Pearl shell has been carefully processed - this means it has been sanded, oiled and polished.

This Fiji Davui Shell Silk painting was painted on pure, white silk, a medium the artist loves working with because of its beautiful sheen. Employing the age-old ‘serti’ technique, Rova uses special dyes and ‘gutta’ resist to create the brilliant blends of color which have become her trademark. Each work of silk art is painted by hand, often as part of a series of numbered Limited Edition Originals which the artist builds up slowly, one painting at a time.

M.W. Rova works from her home in Nadi, Fiji. Her artwork is inspired by the diverse wildlife of the Fiji Islands, with its amazing range of plants and animals, and striking land and sea scapes. The ideas for many of her paintings have grown out of visits to her husband’s village on the ‘Garden Island’ of Taveuni in northern Fiji, where his extended family lead a traditional lifestyle in harmony with the sea and tropical jungle around them.

These earrings are made from Mother of Pearl shell from Rotuma and Vau from Galoa in Viti Levu.

Inspired by the Armea bird that is only found on the island of Rotuma.

Hand-painted on masi, with details drawn in pigment pen. This painting is part of our “Large Silver Shell” range, depicting some of the fascinating shells that a lucky beachcomber may find while wandering along the palm-fringed shores of Fiji. The spines of the living scorpio conch permit it to crawl on the sand around the reef without being swept away by ocean currents.

Fijian ‘masi’, also called barkcloth, is produced by village women on islands such as Vatulele. A renewable resource, masi is made by harvesting strips of bark from specially grown paper-mulberry trees. Each piece takes days to process, involving repeated pounding, soaking and stretching. These traditional skills are passed on from generation to generation, with certain clans being considered the experts in masi-making. The uneven quality of the masi reflects its handmade origin.

Maria Rova lives in Nadi, Fiji. Her artwork is inspired by the wildlife, culture, and scenery of the Pacific, especially that of the remote island of Taveuni to the north of the Fiji group, which is home to her husband’s traditional clan. Sustained by forest and reef, Taveuni villagers still follow many of the ancient cultural practices that give Fijian people their unique identity. The artist wishes to acknowledge gratefully the impact that her Fijian family has had on her work. 

Framing instructions

This artwork has been left unframed for ease of shipping.

When ready to frame, simply peel the painting from its temporary backing and mount on a coloured background of your choice, leaving the rough edges of the masi showing to enhance its natural look.

This piece is made out of mother of pearl, vau and cotton chord. The vau is made from the bark of a tree which is shredded then soaked in sea water for 2-3 weeks before it is finely shredded and put in the sun to dry. After drying, the vau is soaked in red dye to give it color.

This piece is inspired by the Armea bird which is found only on the island of Rotuma.

This piece is also made out of Mother of Pearl shell and Vau. The mother of pearl like all others used in Rako's jewellery is grinded, sand papered and shined to show its amazing color. It is than cut and shaped to give a hook like appearance. The Vau is in its original color after it has been soaked, dried and shredded to give it that light brown color.

Inspired by Fiji's natural beauty, this hand-blown necklace is made from recycled glass. 

The Fiji Crystal glass Turtleshell necklace represents the orange and gold of Fiji's turtles. 

The pendant is made from recycled glass which is broken up and fused together in a top-loading kiln. The pendant is then smoothed and the adjustable cord attached. 

A beautiful, hand-blown necklace which brings you a taste of the Fiji islands!