Our Process

Our Process

From the land to your hand.

Not all gold is created equal. Ours is mined here, refined here, and designed here. Every step of the journey happens in here in the South Island of New Zealand, and we can show you exactly where.

Our Ecological Mine

We source our gold from small-scale ecological mines on the West Coast of New Zealand, currently from our owned land at Ruatapu Flats. Two contracting firms and thirty local workers mine here, following strict ecological practices. No toxic chemicals like mercury or cyanide. Careful management of waterways. Land restored to lush pasture once extraction is complete.

This approach prioritises environmental care, transparency and long-term stewardship over speed or scale. It ensures the gold we use honours both its place of origin and the generations who will follow.

Mining is carried out without toxic chemicals, with careful management of waterways, and with land restoration as a priority once extraction is complete. This ensures the gold we use honours both its place of origin and the generations who will follow.

The process starts here.

01

"In The Beginning"

Gold is believed to have originated from supernova explosions, occurring when massive stars end their life cycles in a spectacular burst, dispersing elements across space. The intense conditions during supernovae enable the synthesis of heavier elements, including gold. So yes, your piece started in the stars!

02 Our Mines

We obtain our gold from small-scale, eco-friendly mines on the West Coast, currently from our owned land at Ruatapu Flats. Earth moving machinery and gold screens separate the gold from the gravels. The black sands are removed over concentrating tables and gold wheels, preparing the gold for melting.

03

Processing

The heavier concentrated materials are separated from the alluvial gravels. Earth moving machinery and gold screens are used in the separation process. The material is taken off the large screens, and the black sands removed over concentrating tables or gold wheels, preparing the gold for melting.

04

Refinement

The gold, at 95 to 97% pure, is refined at Awa Refinery in Greymouth to achieve jewellery-grade granules with a purity exceeding 99.6%. Awa is a boutique West Coast refinery that sources ethical precious metals solely from alluvial miners. The gold is traced to source, always guaranteed to be local and ethical.

05

Design

Our jewellery designs are inspired by the textures of the West Coast landscape. Guided by artist Holly Schröder, each piece blends traditional drawing, clay modelling and modern technology to capture the textures of the mountains, water and bush that surround us.

06

Goldsmith

Our pieces are shaped and moulded by a team of highly skilled New Zealand jewellers at Landau in Christchurch, who have been crafting jewellery in the South Island since 1985. Their dedication to quality and craftsmanship ensures that every piece reflects its provenance and concept.

07

Yours

Every step, from inception to completion, takes place in New Zealand. Each piece arrives with a Certificate of Authenticity tracing its journey from the mine to your hand, intended to be cherished across generations.

Meet our designer

Holly Schröder, Coast-born artist and designer.

Just like our jewellery, Holly Schröder was born on the Coast. A multimedia artist and designer, Holly holds a Bachelor of Visual Art from Auckland University of Technology and a Graduate Diploma in Creative Technologies from the Media Design School.

Holly's work is inspired by figures, landscapes and architectural forms, encompassing everything from vibrant paintings to dynamic light projections. Her work has featured in exhibitions throughout New Zealand and in private collections. She created the large-scale light installation Emerging Fabrications, featured on Auckland's waterfront during Artweek in 2019, and has partnered with BMW, Veuve Clicquot, Asahi and Garage Project.

Holly has lent her artistic vision to the Made of Gold collections, inspired by the textures of the West Coast's beautiful yet brutal landscape. She is also part of our Gold for Good mentorship programme, hoping to mine and refine a few more local artists along the way.

Meet our makers

Awa Refinery

A boutique West Coast gold refinery based in Greymouth, Awa sources ethical precious metals solely from alluvial miners. The gold is traced to source, always guaranteed to be local and ethical.

Landau Jewellery

Landau has been crafting jewellery in New Zealand's South Island since 1985. Their unwavering dedication to quality and craftsmanship ensures that every Made of Gold piece reflects our commitment to beautiful design, local resources and heritage.