Ray Wade

Born in Whangarei in 1951, this self-taught jeweller’s passion for stone began at age 11 while searching wild beaches for greenstone. After years working in various fields, they settled in Wakatipu in 1978 and have been creating jewellery since 1986, often using paua shell and gemstones that evoke childhood memories. Represented nationwide, they now live in Dunedin, semi-retired but still deeply engaged with their craft.