One day, New Zealand–Japanese film producer Migiwa Ozawa came to me with a gorgeous black pearl and a story that stayed with me ever since.

The pearl was a gift from her friend who lives in the Cook Islands — a diver who collects pearls straight from the ocean. When Migiwa visited, he opened a small treasure box, picked out this pearl, and handed it to her, saying that because of global warming, it’s becoming harder and harder to find pearls like this in the wild.

Migiwa told me she has always felt a deep connection with the ocean — the waters of Japan where she grew up, and the ocean surrounding Aotearoa, her home now. She was soon heading back to Japan for the premiere of her documentary Pacific Mother, and wanted to turn this meaningful pearl into a ring to accompany her on that journey.

As she spoke, I could vividly imagine her friend diving deep beneath the waves, the sunlight flickering through the water, and the quiet moment when this pearl was found. Her story played in my mind like a film — intimate, cinematic, and full of emotion.

The concept for the ring came effortlessly. I wanted to honour her story, her connection to the ocean, and the living world that shaped this pearl. I designed an organic, flowing form — as if the pearl is being gently held by coral. The matte surface represents the calm, matured beauty of lived experience, while the polished tips catch the light, echoing the natural shimmer within the pearl itself.

It was a true privilege to be part of this project — to create something that carries both a story and a soul, a small reminder of our connection to the ocean and the people we love.