Ao Jewellery - Together Journal

When it comes to wedding jewellery, the most meaningful pieces often begin with a story.

At Ao Jewellery, that story is brought to life through thoughtful design, sustainable materials, and a deep respect for craftsmanship. Based in the coastal town of Whitianga, New Zealand, Ao is a boutique studio run by a Japanese couple who draw inspiration from the sea, natural forms, and the quiet elegance of wabi-sabi. Whether you’re starting with a clear vision or a vague feeling, Ao Jewellery’s process is intimate, intuitive, and rooted in the belief that jewellery should hold both beauty and emotion.

What’s the process for designing and creating custom wedding jewellery with Ao Jewellery?

If you already have a clear idea in mind, we’ll work closely with you to refine that vision into a finished design. If you’re not sure where to start, we’ll explore your preferences together, using our past works and current designs as inspiration to shape your ideal piece.

We’re based in Whitianga, a beachside town on the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand. Most communication is done via email, but we’re happy to chat over FaceTime or meet in person when possible.

Designs are presented as hand-drawn sketches. We’ll share several options, and through thoughtful conversations, refine the details until you’re completely happy. We also discuss your preferences for materials and stones early on and incorporate them into the design.

If your ring includes stones, we’ll check the fit before setting them to make sure everything is just right. We require a 50% deposit before beginning the making process, with the remaining balance due upon completion.

What materials and gemstones do you use?

All our metals are recycled and sourced in New Zealand. We work with 9ct, 14ct, and 18ct yellow, pink, and white gold, as well as sterling silver and platinum.

For diamonds, we exclusively use Ocean Diamonds, ethically sourced from the ocean with minimal environmental impact. For other stones, we offer a selection of ethically and traceably sourced gems tailored to your wishes.

What makes Ao Jewellery’s wedding collection different from other jewellers?

We’re a small, craft-based jewellery brand run by a Japanese couple living by the sea in New Zealand. Being a small-scale studio means we can work closely with our clients and put real care into each piece we create by hand.

Our love for the ocean and nature often comes through in our designs, which are inspired by waves, swells, and the beauty of natural forms. As Japanese artists, we also cherish the aesthetic of wabi-sabi―the quiet beauty found in imperfection, age, and simplicity.

Can you share a memorable project you’ve worked on?

One deeply meaningful project was for a husband who wanted to surprise his wife with both an engagement and a wedding ring. He asked us to represent their family using diamonds.

The engagement ring featured two diamonds symbolising the couple, and the wedding band had three diamonds for their children―all passed down from his grandmother. Each gem carried deep significance.

Later, his wife contacted us to create a surprise ring for him. She wanted to carve stones herself to represent their children and have them included in the design. It was a beautiful exchange of love and intention―a project that reminded us of the power of jewellery to hold emotion and legacy.

How long does it take to create a custom ring?

For fully custom designs, we typically require around two months. Semi-custom pieces may be ready in about a month, depending on the complexity of the design.

What are the current trends in wedding jewellery, and how does Ao Jewellery respond to them?

Chunky styles and stacked gemstone settings are popular at the moment.

While we’re aware of trends, we focus more on meaning and longevity, crafting timeless pieces that reflect your story and can be passed down through generations.

Do you offer aftercare or maintenance services?

Yes. We offer complimentary cleaning. Resizing and other repairs are available for a fee, and we’ll do our best to meet your needs with care and attention.

How do you guide couples who aren’t sure what they want yet?

We start by learning about you―what you enjoy, how you live, and the things you value. Are you outdoorsy? Do you spend a lot of time at home? These little details help guide the materials, stones, and design suggestions we offer.

From there, we’ll show you examples and sample pieces to help spark ideas. We know it can take time, and that’s okay. If you’ve come to us, it means you resonate with our philosophy, and we’ll honour that by working with you thoughtfully and wholeheartedly.