Fijian Jewellery

The Fiji Tabua (Whale's Tooth) necklace with adjustable black string is hand cast in pewter (tin) by Albrecht Stuetzle, better know as Albi; a German born master craftsman who has made Fiji his second home. Albi served his apprentice years in Stuttgart Germany as a craftsman, specialising in hand and machine engravings, metal casting and electroplating in bronze, silver and gold.

A Tabua is a polished tooth of a sperm whale that is an important cultural item in Fijian society. They were traditionally given as gifts for atonement or esteem (called sevusevu), and were important in negotiations between rival chiefs. Today the tabua remains an important item in Fijian life. They are not sold but traded regularly as gifts in weddings, birthdays, and at funerals.

The Tabua necklace is one of Albi's unique designs in his Jewellery range, dedicated to Fiji and its people. Each piece of pewterware is hand-founded and made of fine grade pewter. 96% tin content designates it as the finest pewter available.

Albi came to Fiji in 1986 and married his wife Litia who hails from Vatukarasa Village on the Coral Coast. Operating from a small workshop behind his home in the Coral Coast, Albi has created many beautiful items including unique trophies that are awarded at major awards nights such as Fiji Excellence in Tourism, the Vodafone Fiji Open Golf Tournament and the Westpac Women in Business Excellence Awards.

Albi has produced personalised gifts for government officials as presentations to other government leaders when travelling overseas. He said that most of his creations have been given as gifts to royalty and presidential houses around the world. He also has exclusive clients that request specially engraved items such as jewellery boxes or household ornaments to be given as gifts to personal friends.

The Fiji Seascape necklace reflects the beauty of Fiji's Pacific Ocean - that sparkling blue that is simply breath-taking.

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 necklace comes gift wrapped in Fijian masi paper, making it a beautiful gift.

Elegant natural necklace made out of Fijian Coconut shell

This elegant necklace is hand-made by Rako Pasefika out of Fijian coconut shell sourced from the island of Rotuma. Using naturally abundant Coconuts, each mini-button is individually shaped out of coconut shell to just the right size, before being drilled to create the perfect incision. The coconut buttons are strung together using cotton fiber chord which is hand-woven.

Each of the 30 buttons is just over 1cm in diameter, with each piece being woven together to form the intricate design. There are three rows of coconuts with 5cm of chord either side before the coconut section starts. This is a delicate piece which sits close to the neck, similar to a choker necklace.

Customs-friendly jewellery

Rako Pasefika have carefully designed their stunning pieces to ensure that the natural materials used have no customs restrictions. Each Coconut shell has been carefully sanded, oiled and polished, meaning it has been processed and poses no customs threat.

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, 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!

The Fiji Ocean wave glass necklace reflects the waves gently rolling over Fiji's golden sand beaches. 

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 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.

These elegant earrings are made from Fiji Mother of Pearl shell, with waxed thread weaving the five shells together, finished with sterling silver hoops. The earrings are nestled 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 earrings coupled with a Masi pouch, ideal as a gift. 

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. 

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.