Page 26 - Fiji Traveller 2024 Issue 6

Adorning Pacific bodies

Pacific Harbour’s homegrown jeweller

By Kite Pareti studies in fashion design in Australia.
“I was in Sydney for a while to study. But as soon as I had
Fijian warriors holding tiki torches and performing meke my daughter, I knew I wanted her to grow up exactly the same
dances at night are some of Sandy Lyons’ best memories of the way that I grew up in Pacific Harbour, by the beaches, near
Arts Village. the waterfalls, and dinghy fishing in the rivers. I wanted her to
“I grew up in the Arts Village in its heyday, and there was such experience that magical way of growing up,” she said.
a good vibe. My parents had a shop here, and my primary school At Adorn Pacific, you’ll find many authentic island-themed
was located here as well, just around the corner from my shop,” rings, necklaces, anklets, bracelets in gold and silver, that are
she said. handcrafted on-site. The price ranges from FJ$35 to FJ$15,000.
“I've watched the Arts Village kind of deteriorate over the last “Every piece of jewellery has a tag on it with the information
few years. And I think it's a good thing that some money is being about the metals or the mediums that are used. You can have a
put into it now. It'll be a draw card to the local people and tourists walk around the shop, pick anything, and try it on. Or you can ask
as well. And it'll only mean good things for everyone in Pacific me anything about how a piece is made. I really want to keep the
Harbour,” she said of the recent partnership between Yatu Lau whole business open and transparent,” explained Sandy.
and the Damodar Group of Companies to renovate the centre. Colourful pearls are the centrepiece of most jewellery items.
Today, Sandy is the owner of Adorn Pacific, a small jewellery She sources them locally from Civa Fiji Pearls in Taveuni.
shop she started eight years ago at the Arts Village after pursuing “All our pearls are Fijian saltwater pearls, and we get hundreds

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