My Account
Designing a piece of jewellery that reflects a person’s personality or passion takes time, but it is that investment that makes the journey exciting, according to Scott’s Landing jeweller Mike Piercey.
Mike and wife Kura, who recently moved to the district, established MichaelJohn Jewellery five years ago on their return from the UK, specialising in bespoke commissions.
“It’s hard to produce a quality piece without knowing the person who will be wearing it and that’s why I’m really keen to get the word out locally that I’m here,” Mike says. “When I understand what the person wants the piece to mean or represent, then I create a mood board and we start from there. If it’s a man buying for someone special then I often have to send them away with homework!”
Mike offers free consultations either at the client’s home or at his own home studio.
Originally from Bournemouth in the UK, he first came to New Zealand 11 years ago on a surfing holiday after completing an art degree. He worked for a jeweller in Auckland before returning to the UK to work in the high-end jewellery trade in Hatton Garden, London. One of his oddest commissions there was a diamond bra.
The lure of the surf took him to Costa Rica and now, Mahurangi.
He works in silver, gold and platinum, using diamonds and other coloured stones, depending on the client’s budget. He says he also enjoys remodeling old or vintage jewellery.
While engagement and wedding rings, dress rings, earrings and pendants make up the bulk of his commissions, Mike says he also enjoys variety and a challenge.
“The gold we use is mined in the South Island and I like to use as much NZ-made material as possible.
“Kura is a photographer so she runs our website, while another family member does our social media, so we think of ourselves as very much a family-run business.”
