History of Hawaiian Jewelry

Hawaiian Heirloom Jewelry has been a tradition in Hawaii since 1862. The first piece of Hawaiian Jewelry was a bracelet worn by High Chiefess Lili’u, who later became Queen Liliuokalani. The Victorian style of Hawaiian jewelry was actually an English tradition for many centuries. It became in Vogue in Hawaii after the death of Prince Albert. Queen Victoria of England was so saddened by his passing she wore mourning clothing and black enameled gold jewelry till the day she died. The news of his death reached Hawaii and Lili’u also wanted to show her own sense of remembrance of Prince Albert and the tradition of family. She had two bracelets made, one was engraved with Hoomanao Mau which means “Lasting Remembrance”, the other “Palapala” which is the written form of her Hawaiian language. These bracelets captured Lili’u’s spirit of tradition and capture forever the spirit of Aloha she had for her Hawaiian culture.

Queen Liliuokalani captured her spirit of Aloha for Hawaiians and visitors alike when she had that first bracelet made so long ago. It has been a lasting remembrance for generations of Hawaiians of their rich culture and language passed done through the generations. It has been for each individual who owns one a lasting remembrance of a certain loved one or event in his or her lives that they want to hold dear to their hearts. Whether you’re a native Hawaiian or a visitor to the islands you will forever link yourself to the Hawaiian Islands with a piece of Hawaiian Heirloom Jewelry. 

Big Island Jewelers' philosophy on Hawaiian Jewelry

The Hawaiian jewelry that we create at Big Island Jewelers is the best quality available today. We believe that if a bracelet, ring or pendant is to be worn and cherished by many generations then it should be made to stand the test of time. There are a few important factors that go in to making a piece of quality Hawaiian jewelry.

First and most importantly what is the thickness of the gold? Hawaiian jewelry is made in many various thicknesses ranging from 0.80mm to 2.0mm. At Big Island Jewelers we highly recommend nothing less than 2.0mm thickness. This will give your piece of jewelry strength and durability. It also allows the craftsmen to engrave your jewelry with more detail and apply the name in glass enamel.

Secondly, how is the black enamel name applied to the gold? There are two different methods, epoxy or glass enamel. After the engraver has carved out the channels for the lettering a black epoxy or glass enamel is applied. If the engraver is using a black epoxy he will inject a liquid form of black epoxy in to the channels and then it is baked once to solidify the lettering. If the engraver is using a glass enamel a long and difficult process is followed to lay down multiple layers of black glass enamel in to the channels and it is baked multiple times. The finished result of black glass enamel is worth the effort and added cost. It will withstand many years of wear. The same cannot be said of the epoxy. That is why at Big Island Jewelers we only sell Hawaiian jewelry made with the traditional glass enamel. We stand behind our Hawaiian jewelry with a lifetime warranty on the glass enamel. If it ever does come out we will replace it at no cost.

Lastly, is the design hand engraved? A lot of companies have done away with the traditional hand engraved techniques of old and switched to more cost effective manufacturing styles. At Big Island Jewelers all of our Hawaiian jewelry is hand engraved with intricate details and originality. Your own creativity is incorporated with our traditional patterns to produce a style all your own.

So when choosing a company to make your treasured piece of Hawaiian jewelry ask those three questions and insist on the quality that Queen Liliuokalani passed down through the generations.