Vintage Valuables

The owner, Stephanie, holds a Graduate Gemologist Degree from The Gemological Institute of America and is also an aspiring goldsmith. She personally curates the entire collection, choosing only the rarest and most unusual items, and performs all but the trickiest restorations. 

The history and lure of vintage jewelry is the driving force as well as the origin of this brand. After brushing off the dust, each piece has a captivating story it is waiting to tell. For over a decade we have specialized in unique one-of-a-kind vintage and antique jewelry from the late 1800's until present day but our real passion is mid-century Japanese Akoya saltwater cultured pearls. Starting out with a single strand of pearls and an idea we have grown from a passionate collector to a restorer and then an online boutique. There is nothing like the quality of vintage and antique jewelry and it is our mission to make it an accessible and eco-conscious option for both the seasoned and novice collector. 

 

Ni'ihau Shell Project

Ni’ihau shell lei making is a traditional art of the Hawaiian people that is slowly fading away. Many of the practitioners are aging and newer generations are moving on to more modern lifestyles. New artists with contemporary styles are emerging but traditional designs are practiced less and less. This art form is at a pivotal point of change.

 

The privately owned island of Ni’ihau where the majority of these shells are collected has less than fifty full time inhabitants remaining. This film along with our Project aims to highlight the practitioners as well as the art itself to generate new and greater interest in the craft and it's history in order to keep the practice alive and vibrant. 

Story

The People

Ni’ihau shell lei making has a rich history on the Hawaiian islands and can trace its origins to Polynesian shell and floral leis that go back thousands of years. In this film we will explore the origins and current state of the craft by interviewing current practitioners to better understand their culture, artistry and any hardships they face. We will weave a story surrounding multiple subjects across different islands and give them a platform to share their carefully curated knowledge and passion for the art. They will be free to speak on anything they wish and the path the story takes will not be known until we film. The people will determine the final direction of this film.

The Challenges

We will explore external challenges facing the lei makers such as global warming, pollution, agriculture, military presence and tourism which are impacting the social conditions and vibrancy of the islands and it's reefs. We will examine how such factors have effected the craft over time by coordinating interviews with Oceanographic institutes, cultural centers and museums on the islands.

The Industry

We will determine where this unique type of ornamentation fits in with the larger jewelry industry. A single Ni’ihau shell necklace can cost over $10,000 yet the fine jewelry industry is largely unaware of their existence. We aim to promote this craft to generate recognition for the practitioners and allow them to receive genuine interest and appreciation for their hard work. We will coordinate with industry experts including our Executive Producer, a GIA Graduate Gemologist, to determine what challenges need to be addressed and how to overcome them.

The History & Our Cause

Hawaiian culture is rich with vibrant practices but many do not have the same following they once did. With the opening of trade, the pineapple & sugar cane industry and the military many of the islands have drastically changed in the last hundred years alone. They have been commercialized and the people exploited. We will examine the connection Ni’ihau shells have to Hawaiian royalty, society, the tourist trade and the changes which took place on the islands overtime. We will coordinate with cultural institutes such as Iolani Palace and gain a better understanding of how this art has evolved over the years and what its future looks like. We will examine the recent resurgence and interest of traditional practices and how this is shaping the future of the craft.