Canadian Auction

Thanks to the generosity of an owner of one of Canada's major jade mines, a piece of British Columbian jade fashioned into a stunning necklace by two New Zealanders is to be auctioned to raise money for charity in Vancouver.

Big-hearted donor Tony Ritter had previously seen work by Christchurch jeweller Christine Dower and John Sheehan Junior, and commissioned them to make a piece for the charity auction.

Christine has collaborated with the award-winning young Rotorua jade carver on a number of projects in the past. They include producing one-off pieces shown at the annual jade exhibition in Beijing, China, in November 2009 (where Tony saw their work), and also at the Inhorgenta jewellery tradeshow in Munich, Germany, in 2007.

Mined in Canada, the best apple green quality British Columbian jade is perfect for the delicate leaf-shaped pendant which seems to flow elegantly from the end of a long string of perfectly round jade beads.

The pair discussed the overall look and feel they wanted to achieve and agreed a graceful shape suggesting life and movement should form the heart of the piece. Following their consultations, John cut three different leaf shapes for Christine from rough jade (just 3% to 5% of jade extracted from all over the world is of high jewellery grade preferred by carvers). She then came up with some initial designs based on the rough-cut shapes. Once finalised, John cut and polished the chosen piece of British Columbian jade before Christine wove her magic using a delicate web of 18 carat gold incorporating some of her trademark spiral patterns; the mount in perfect harmony with shape of the cabochon.

"The spirals above the leaf shape represent new growth and the beautiful unfolding of life whilst the jade has the energy of purity, serenity and encourages you to become who you really are," says Christine.

Reversible and able to be worn at different lengths, the piece is complemented by tiny gold beads between the jade beads nearest to the pendant. A delicately curved gold clasp, worn at the front, underscores the suggestion of unfolding life apparent within the piece.

Specialising in simple bold pieces that have elegance along with life and movement, Christine says she feel passionate about using jade in contemporary settings to enhance its beauty. "I'm really inspired by the shapes, colours and feel of the jade. I particularly enjoy the challenge of mounting unusually cut jade shapes and exploring different design styles from ethnic to modern European."

John is the son of an American who became fascinated with carving whilst studying at an Alaskan university. After emigrating to New Zealand in 1970, John Sr discovered a passion for pounamu - New Zealand jade - then all jade. He founded the Jade Factory in Rotorua and later began exporting under the Mountain Jade brand. His obsession with jade has rubbed off on John Jr who, although still in his mid-twenties, already knows the stone intimately having been involved with jade at all levels including working in the jade mines of British Columbia.

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