John was born and raised in Hamilton, and after being educated at Hamilton Tech, he began a jewelry apprenticeship in 1966. He graduated in 1971 and started his own business in 1973, offering repair work in a small workshop. In 1987, he acquired Frankton Jewelers, where he continued to offer repair work and sell one-off pieces of jewelry.
In 2019, John 'retired' and began providing his expertise at Sands Carving Studio, where he delights in creating silver and gold settings and enhancements for our high-quality pounamu pieces.
John's keen eye for detail and his passion for the craftsmanship of jewelry making have been a great asset to Sands Carving Studio. He is committed to his craft and ensures that each piece of jewelry he works on is of the highest quality. He takes great pride in producing pieces that are both beautiful and durable.
Customers often praise the exceptional quality of John's work, and the pieces he creates are treasured for generations. John is an invaluable part of the Sands Carving Studio team and he continues to bring his passion and dedication to the jewellery making process.
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Deep within the alluvial beds along the West Coast of Te Wai Pounamu, gold and silver is found alongside pounamu. European settlers brought metal-working to...
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¥84,400
Deep within the alluvial beds along the West Coast of Te Wai Pounamu, gold and silver is found alongside pounamu. European settlers brought metal-working to...
View full product details
¥47,500
Deep within the alluvial beds along the West Coast of Te Wai Pounamu, gold and silver is found alongside pounamu. European settlers brought metal-working to...
View full product details
Sold Out
Deep within the alluvial beds along the West Coast of Te Wai Pounamu, gold and silver is found alongside pounamu. European settlers brought metal-working to...
View full product details
¥83,500
Deep within the alluvial beds along the West Coast of Te Wai Pounamu, gold and silver is found alongside pounamu. European settlers brought metal-working to...
View full product details
¥39,600
Deep within the alluvial beds along the West Coast of Te Wai Pounamu, gold and silver is found alongside pounamu. European settlers brought metal-working to...
View full product details
¥63,300
Deep within the alluvial beds along the West Coast of Te Wai Pounamu, gold and silver is found alongside pounamu. European settlers brought metal-working to...
View full product details
Sold Out
Deep within the alluvial beds along the West Coast of Te Wai Pounamu, gold and silver is found alongside pounamu. European settlers brought metal-working to...
View full product details
¥167,000
With expertise and power the carver wields the adze. Relied on for survival in ancient times, traditional tools are imbued with significance and meaning. The...
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¥145,000
With expertise and power the carver wields the adze. Relied on for survival in ancient times, traditional tools are imbued with significance and meaning. The...
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¥316,300
Koru, the quintessential Māori pattern, represents growth, transformation, potential, and peace. Taken from the fern frond found throughout the forests of Aotearoa, koru represent the...
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¥105,500
The roimata embodies our emotions in times of joy, sadness, celebration and tribulation. Traditionally made from pounamu adzes or similar tools that were too worn...
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¥131,800
Porohita (circle) symbolise the completion of cycles, a concept reflected in the celestial dance of Tama-nui-te-rā and Hina-te-marama, the sun and the moon. These circular...
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¥145,000
With expertise and power the carver wields the adze. Relied on for survival in ancient times, traditional tools are imbued with significance and meaning. The...
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¥131,800
The roimata embodies our emotions in times of joy, sadness, celebration and tribulation. Traditionally made from pounamu adzes or similar tools that were too worn...
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¥31,700
With expertise and power the carver wields the adze. Relied on for survival in ancient times, traditional tools are imbued with significance and meaning. The...
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Hand-carved by Alex Sands and featuring metal work by John Mayo, this Chatoyant Gold Marquee Tangiwai Ring measures 28 x 13 mm. Made from tangiwai pounamu and...
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¥33,400
This Piece was carved by Alex Sands and John Mayo and emasures 40 x 18 x 4mm
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In the ancient Māori world, the toki or adze was a vital tool in everyday life. Toki have come to represent the strength and skill...
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Polished Kawakawa hei toki - adze set by John Mayo in a solid 9ct gold setting, suspended by a gold plated sterling silver chain. In...
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¥113,800
Sterling silver bracelet, with rings linked in different styles and a pounamu ring attached. The pounamu has been sourced from the west coast of the...
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¥39,600
This contemporary toki (adze) necklace was handcrafted in our Hamilton studio from striking chatoyant Inanga pounamu, making each piece truly unique. In traditional Māori...
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Hand made Marsden flower jade tear adze pendant known as Raukaraka Pounamu from the west coast of the south island of New Zealand. This toki...
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Roimata in the form of teardrops, are a Tohu (sign) of our emotions in times of joy, sadness, celebration and tribulation. They remind us of...
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¥87,900
Sterling silver bracelet, with rings linked in different styles and a pounamu ring attached. The pounamu has been sourced from the west coast of the...
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¥36,900
Ngā Riingi are contemporary ornaments drawn from the interconnection between Māori and diverse cultures from around the globe. The giving of rings is a promise...
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Mau Taringa are earrings that are carved in both traditional and contemporary styles. Mau Taringa are gifts for those we care for and when worn,...
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¥36,900
Porohita are the circles that represent the completion of cycles and are often thought seen in the sky through the celestial bodies, Tama-nui-te-rā and Hine-te-Marama,...
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Rei puta is chiefly taonga traditionally carved from the teeth of Tohorā (whale). Rei Niho carved from pounamu maintains the beauty of the traditional form,...
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Hand-made Tangiwai pounamu pendant. The stone is known as Raukaraka Pounamu and is from the west coast of the south island of New Zealand. This...
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Mau Taringa are earrings that are carved in both traditional and contemporary styles. Mau Taringa are gifts for those we care for and when worn,...
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¥60,700
Mau Taringa are earrings that are carved in both traditional and contemporary styles. Mau Taringa are gifts for those we care for and when worn,...
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¥101,100
This piece is carved from kawakawa pounamu finished in a 9 ct gold setting. Kawakawa is a very popular stone for carving because of its...
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¥86,100
Highly polished kahurangi pounamu set in a solid 9 ct gold and sterling silver setting, suspended on a gold-plated sterling silver chain. This taonga was...
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A beautiful Inanga Pounamu Sterling Silver Nose Stud Piercing measuring 5 mm in diameter. This piece was hand-made by John Mayo.
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Set in 9 karat Gold, this gorgeous Gold Inanga Pounamu Marquee Ring captures the beauty of gem quality Inanga New Zealand Jade. Handcrafted in our studio,...
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Sterling silver bracelet, with rings linked in different styles and a pounamu ring attached. The pounamu has been sourced from the West Coast of the...
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¥30,400
A beautiful gem quality Marsden Flower Jade Drop Pendant Silver Necklace by Sands Jewellery House. All our jewellery is individually crafted in our Hamilton studio,...
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A modern take on the traditional toki, this necklace is crafted with stunning chatoyant Inanga pounamu. All of our jewellery is individually crafted in our...
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Rei puta are chiefly taonga traditionally carved from the teeth of Tohorā (whale). Rei niho carved from pounamu maintains the beauty of the traditional form,...
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This Raukaraka Gold Toki Jade Necklace is set in a 9 CT gold, hung from a gold plated sterling silver chain, and hand polished to showcase...
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This unique pair of 9 ct Gold Capped Forward Facing Mako Teeth Earrings are forward-facing and measure around 35 mm long and 18 mm from...
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¥11,000
Tiger Shark Teeth Earrings have been worn by Polynesians and Māori since the earliest exploration of Polynesia. They connect to the spirit of the shark and...
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This gorgeous pair of Pounamu Beak Pendant Earrings are scalloped and set in gold and measure 3.9 cm long x .6 cm wide. This piece...
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Handmade Jade Heart Sterling Silver Stud Earrings - Collaboration by Alex Sands and John Mayo. These earrings feature handcrafted pounamu hearts pinned onto sterling silver...
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Marsden flower jade disk set in 9ct gold Victorian style on one side and an elegant heart silhouette on the other. It's suspended from a...
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¥47,500
This unique pair of sterling silver capped Mako teeth earrings are forward-facing and measure around 20 mm long and 10 mm from hook to base....
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Measuring around 20 mm wide and 35 mm long for each capped tooth (55 mm long hanging from the hook), these are exquisite pairs of hand-made...
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