ABOUT US

Ash started making Jewellery in 2003 after years of slogging away as a chef in kitchens in New Zealand and on yachts overseas. His Mum recommended a Jewellery course as a distraction and Ash took to it immediately. Loving the way materials influenced the design and the design influenced the materials, Ash finally found a way to express all those good ideas he had floating around his head while whisking hollandaise.

With lots of help and advice from his galleries, Ash was able to quit his day job and work on Jewellery full-time in 2005. Around this time, he started training up his Sister Siggy to do finishing work and she’s been in the workshop ever since (taking time out to have 3 beautiful boys along the way).

Also around this time, a young gal from Texas found her way to the very deep South and was introduced to Ash by her sweet Kiwi Cousin. Luckily, Ash took to her immediately too.

In 2009, Laurel was able to quit her day job and become a partner in the business. Also in 2009, Ash and Laurel welcomed their first son, Henry Hilton, into the world. Their second littlein, Truman Mossyburn Hilton, arrived in January 2012.

In 2018 Ash, Laurel and Siggy started Good Gold - an ethical wedding ring company. We wanted to make simple, beautiful wedding rings while paying close attention to where the materials came from, how they were made and the people involved along the way.

For a few years, we got stuck into making Jewellery, building the businesses and generally figuring things out as we went along. Then, because apparently making Jewellery and raising two small boys wasn’t enough adventure, we decided to take a bit of a break and go sailing around the Mediterranean.

Then Covid came along and, as it did for pretty much everyone, interrupted everything.

Not long after, Ash and Laurel sadly went their separate ways. It was a big change, but family and  jewellery continued on.

These days, Laurel, Siggy and Katie run Good Gold, while Ash and Siggy run Ash Hilton. Different businesses, but with plenty of shared history, family and friendship between them.

We all still work together in the same beautiful workshop in Nelson - making things, talking rubbish, solving problems, and generally keeping the Jewellery world turning.

Ethics

See our ETHICAL PRACTICES to learn how our personal values are incorporated into our business.