FQ, Next and KiaOra

I'm not sure I mentioned that over the last few months we have been advertising in the FQ, Next and KiaOra magazines. Have you noticed then? We are very pleased and think they look great.

As well Our website is working as we wanted and that the secure payment gateway is just that, secure and reliable.

www.deanhawkins.co.nz

Not quite sure where this week has gone, but I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Real Aotearoa's opened in Wellington

How exciting Real Aotearoa, a New Zealand Post shop has opened in Wellington and, yes, we have our Dean Hawkins Jewellery there. Real Aotearoa can be found at 1 Grey Street. How exciting! Don't forget to also view and if you aren't in Wellington, our range is available at www.deanhawkins.co.nz. This is fantastic for us and Real Aotearoa and hopefully great for Wellington.

Real Aotearoa also have outlets in Queen Street, Auckland and Cashel Mall in Christchurch. They all have a fantastic range of OUR Jewellery and other selected New Zealand artists working in a large range of mediums.

For a full range of our outlets please look at our website www.deanhawkins.co.nz or contact us on +64 (3) 5480387.

Thank you Real Aotearoa for your continued support, we very much appreciate it.

updating the website

I've been spending this morning, when I should be doing the GST, adding weights and measurements to our jewellery peices in the store. What a job and I'm only part way through. We hope that it helps every one get a bit better feel for what they are looking at and an idea of the size, in the photos since you cant touch it. I'll keep working away. Its hard to do as Dean makes every thing so each peice is done individually, so everything has approx and about, as I can't be more acurrate than that. Have a great day. I may take a break as I'm looking at the computer screen a bit cross-eyed.

New Zealand Labour day weekend

Another Labour Day weekend is upon us and I hope that every one have a great time. We are. We have done all sorts of lovely things as a family this weekend. The reason we have chosen to work from home, we don't have to worry about shop hours. We can work when and how we decide. Isn't Labour Weekend what it all stands for. Have a lovely weekend. Catch you next week.

Have you ever wondered?

Diamonds and engagement rings. What is it that you are actually getting? There is so much hype out there about what you are getting but how do you know that what you are getting is authentic or a standard that is set by the companies that are trying to sell you something.

I have this conversation regularly and have alway felt I needed to justify ourselves in comparison to those that work in this way. In actual fact I don't. Dean is one of the best jewellery around and he has that reputation, we use diamonds from a reputable supplier, using the authentic standard of diamond grading and we insist on maintaining that standard. Dean is about quality craftsmanship. Our business is based around Dean. He is our jeweller. If you are purchasing something from us, Dean is the person who will create it. We are a small New Zealand business with a very talented jeweller.

We do not have a shop of our own because we wanted a family and a nice lifestyle. Because Dean is in demand, every one wanted to speak to Dean, he would then at the end of the day have to create the pieces that were commissioned during the day. We would never see him. I worked in the shop as well and as we work as a team, it wasn't going to be easy to do both or fair on either. Having a shop and family wsn't what we wanted. It may work for some but not us. We chose family and lifestyle and have found a way to do both that suits us. We are happy with the decision we have made and the life we have chosen.

We like what we like, choose to buy New Zealand made where possible, we definitely are not into buying cheap rubbish or landfill as it has called. We buy quality, buy it once and buy it to last. So that is what we like personally and the way we like to live and we wouldn't want or do anything less for others. We live our life authentically and with integrity and we truely hope that that comes through in the jewellery we create. We sleep soundly at night and enjoy what we have created and are happy with the choices we have made.

But getting back to what I started to say and where my blog today was headed. diamonds, engagement rings and quality. There are people who you can trust and have faith in what they do and there are those you could question. There is no need for Dean Hawkins Jewellery to try to justify where we stand in the industry. We just do! and am proud of it!!!!!

Hello again

Hi, well where has the last few weeks, not days, gone. We went skiing to Turoa for a week. That was fun. Ollie didn't like it much though, may be next year. Soph learnt to ski in a couple of hours. Boy aren't kids amazing. Dean can ski anyway , but had fun trying to out do my brother and I learnt to snow board... sort of. I will try to perfect my technique next year. We have found a family sport that we will all be able to enjoy in the years to come.

There was also the school holidays.

Now the term has started and we are getting back into routines ( at least we're trying). Getting geared up for our summer season is a prioity.

Our website is looking amazing and works well at last. You just have to get the right team behind you. Thanks again Meta.

The wedding season is upon us again and over the next wee while I shall talk about what we think is important to know when looking for engagement and wedding rings. I will also add a couple of engagement ring to our ever growing range. Check out www.deanhawkins.co.nz.