NIʻIHAU SHELL JEWELRY
Jewelry Honoring Craft, Culture & Connection
Sharing Hawaiʻi’s Artistry Since 1991 — From Niʻihau Shell Tradition to Global-Inspired Design
NIʻIHAU SHELL JEWELRY
The Niʻihau Collection
Authentic. Certified. Culturally significant. The rarest shells in Hawaiʻi, handcrafted with generations-old skill.
HANDCRAFTED ON O’AHU
Designer Collection
Contemporary island design rooted in tradition. Rice shells, kukui, gemstones, and global accents — all handcrafted on Oahu.
SUNRISE SHELLS & TAHITIAN PEARLS
Ocean Treasures
Collection
Rare shells & pearls shaped by tide, light, and time. Sunrise shells, Tahitian pearls, and one-of-a-kind ocean-born art.
KAHELELANI LEI PŪPŪ
Three-strand wedding lei,
handcrafted on Niʻihau
Appraised at $40,000
An extraordinary lei appraised with full paperwork and photographed in museum-grade detail. Traditional kūpala and pikake patterns woven across thousands of naturally colored shells — a true collector's investment piece.
Meet the Maker
Handcrafted Jewelry Made in Hawaiʻi Since 1991
For more than 30 years, Liz has created Niʻihau shell jewelry and Hawaiian-inspired pieces that reflect the beauty of the islands. From her home in Waimānalo, she brings together rare shells, global beads, and traditional techniques to craft earrings, bracelets, and lei treasured by collectors across Hawaiʻi.
Her work has been featured at the Merrie Monarch Festival, Made in Hawaiʻi, and craft fairs statewide. Every piece carries her love for island craftsmanship — and the spirit of aloha she hopes each wearer can feel.
What Makes Niʻihau Shells the Most Valuable in the World?
Niʻihau shells — kūpala, kahelelani, mamo, and momi — are among Hawaiʻi’s rarest natural treasures. Gathered by hand along the shores of the “Forbidden Island,” these shells are sorted by color, size, and quality before being woven into traditional patterns that can take months or years to complete.
Authentic Niʻihau lei are fully natural, un-dyed, and crafted using techniques passed down through generations. Collectors around the world seek them for their rarity, cultural significance, and investment value.
Featured Items
The Volcanic Calm Necklace from the Designer Collection channels the strength and serenity of island landscapes. Textured black beads reminiscent of woven fiber and volcanic stone meet clusters of ivory and tan shells, blending raw earth with refined beauty. A deep blue centerpiece reflects the ocean’s stillness, while aqua glass accents and polished wood beads complete the natural palette. This piece embodies harmony between opposites — fire and water, strength and softness, light and shadow.
Details
- Natural white and tan rice shells
- Volcanic stone and woven black beads
- Deep blue ceramic centerpiece
- Aqua glass and wooden accents
- Approx. 18" length
- Toggle clasp closure
- Handcrafted in Hawaiʻi
This Multicolor Niʻihau “Crown Flower” Choker is a celebration of precision and color harmony. Handcrafted from a balanced mix of momi and kahelelani shells, the lei features 6–8 shades ranging from ivory and sand to rose, gold, and deep burgundy. The Crown Flower (or Puakalaunu) weave creates rounded, floral-like clusters that repeat symmetrically around the strand — a mark of highly skilled shellwork. Finished with blush-toned leho (cowrie) clasps, this lei embodies both tradition and joy, reminiscent of blossoms after rain.
Details:
Authentic Niʻihau momi and kahelelani shells
Crown Flower (Puakalaunu) style weave
Multicolor tones: ivory, gold, rose, and burgundy
Approx. 18" choker length
Finished with pink leho (cowrie) clasps
Handcrafted on Oʻahu
Rare kahelelani shell earrings woven in the poepoe cluster style, showcasing Niʻihau’s most prized shells in natural color variation. Each pair is unique and finished with gold-filled hooks.
This elegant Niʻihau Cone Shell Set includes a matching necklace, bracelet, and earrings crafted in the poepoe (rounded cluster) style. Each piece features authentic cone shells collected on Niʻihau, showcasing natural patterns in ivory and beige. Sold as a complete set, this ensemble embodies unity, tradition, and refined island craftsmanship.
Details:
- Niʻihau cone shells
- Poepoe (rounded cluster) weave
- Matching necklace, bracelet, and earrings
- Gold-filled clasps and hooks