About Disintegration Silver:

I'm Amy, a Te Whanganui-a-Tara based maker of one-of-a-kind jewellery, and a few (very) small-batch pieces. Everything is hand made by me in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Disintegration Silver is in part a delight in setting things on fire and clawing them into being with lots of tools, and a way to connect with nature and the mortal world through shiny rocks, bones, and ephemera found on the ground. I love making new things to honour these finds and highlight all the special and interesting shapes nature creates through seasonal changes, death, heat, and pressure.

How do you source your bones?

Some bones are foraged from beaches/walking tracks, and some are sourced from people working with DOC and pest-trap animals. Nothing from native birds or animals, and nothing killed for jewellery purposes.

Is your jewellery available anywhere offline?

I have some pieces available at Covenant in Newtown, including some one of a kind pieces only available in store. Occasionally I have stalls in local markets, which I'll post details about via Instagram. If you're in central Wellington, you can also contact me to organise seeing something in person and trying it on by appointment.

How do I look after sterling silver jewellery?

When not wearing your silver jewellery, storing it in the box or bag it came in can prevent it being scratched, and can slow tarnishing. A ziplock plastic bag to keep air and humidity out can prevent tarnishing as well. Avoid wearing your silver jewellery in the shower or exposing to oils such as sunscreen or make-up where possible, and gently wipe down with a soft cotton cloth to remove any dirt or oils, and to help your piece keep its shine. Wait for things like sunscreen and perfume to be absorbed into your skin before putting on a silver necklace.

Do you only work with silver?

While I mostly work with silver, I occasionally also make copper pieces, and some of my made to order pieces can be made in different metals such as copper or white bronze by request.