Eszter Szigethy
Eszter Szigethy, an Auckland-based stone artist, fuses her Hungarian heritage, Kiwi lifestyle, architectural background, and multicultural influences into contemporary jade art. Trained as an architect (Master of Architecture, 2008), her creative journey expanded during five years of international travel across Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Over a decade ago, she discovered her passion for Pounamu carving in Aotearoa and established her studio in Tamaki Makaurau. Her work is characterised by wearable, feminine, and sculptural jewellery, drawing inspiration from European aesthetics and architectural minimalism, often infused with the essence of New Zealand's nature and indigenous art
All pieces are hand-carved by Eszter, and all varieties of Pounamu (Nephrite Jade) used come from the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island.
From 2025
Hand-carved from New Zealand jade (pounamu), these kawakawa leaves represent healing, love, and a deep connection to nature. The distinctive heart-shaped leaves, often marked by caterpillar bites, have long been valued for their restorative and medicinal qualities, symbolizing resilience and renewal.
Pendant - Kawakawa Leaf Heart Pounamu: 38mm wide by 41mm long, Marsden flowerjade pounamu with adjustable black braided cord $530
Pendant - Kawakawa Leaf Heart Pounamu: 43mm wide by 43mm long, kawakawa pounamu with adjustable black braided cord $550
Pendant - Kawakawa Leaf Heart Pounamu: 48mm wide by 57mm long, kawakawa transition to inanga pounamu with adjustable black braided cord $710
Pendant - Kawakawa Leaf Heart Pounamu: 52mm wide by 57mm long, flowerjade kawakawa pounamu with adjustable black braided cord $750
From 2024
The golden ratio, also known as the divine proportion, is denoted by φ and approximately equals 1.618. This mathematical proportion is found extensively in nature, art, and design. In mathematics, two quantities are in the golden ratio if their ratio is the same as the ratio of their sum to the larger of the two quantities. As an architect, I often used it for its aesthetic appeal. These jade pieces represent my first exploration of the golden ratio in wearable art, creating harmonious compositions that embody a timeless principle resonating across cultures and disciplines.
All works hand-carved in mm accuracy according to the golden ratio.
Pendant - Golden Ratio Spiral, 4x55x8mm, Pounamu (Marsden area) $800
Pendant - Golden Ratio Rectangle, 34x55x7mm, Pounamu (inanga, bowenite, marsden) $800
Pendant - Golden Ratio Vertical, 34x55x7mm, Pounamu (lighter & darker kawakawa), stg silver $800
Pendant - Golden Ratio Horizontal, 34x55x7mm, Pounamu (marsden, flowerjade, bowenite) $800
Pendant - Golden Ratio Triangle, 34x55x7mm, Pounamu (kawakawa, flowerjade) $800
Pendant - Golden Ratio Curves, 34x55x7mm, Pounamu (kawakawa, flowerjade) $800
From 2023
 Pounamu Breastplate. 90 x 30 x 9mm, with adjustable cord. $620
The elegant design has some concave and convex forms, curving on one side and flatter on the other, it can be worn both ways.
Raukaraka pounamu with a unique green to yellowish colour transition.
TOP: Pounamu Chestplate. Double-sided, 99 x 50 x 11mm, with adjustable braided cord $710
The Kawakawa Pounamu used has a unique, blackish stone pattern and a light-green to dark-green transition colour.
BOTTOM: Marsden Pounamu Chestplate. Double-sided, 120 x 60 x 12mm, with adjustable cord. $800
The milky-green Marsden Jade has a unique darker green and brownish stone pattern.
In her interpretation, the chestplate is like a shield, it represents strength and gives the wearer protection through life. It is quite a contemporary form, carved with the 'less is more' philosophy.
LEFT: Fluid Wavy Toki - Carved from a rich-green Marsden Flowerjade.60 x 27 x 7mm, with adjustable cord. $530
RIGHT: Fluid Wavy Toki - Carved from a dark-green Kawakawa Pounamu. 91 x 35 x 10mm, with adjustable cord. $800
A contemporary approach to the traditional toki form. An 'S' shaped wave runs through each piece on both sides in three dimensions, so the piece looks different from each angle.
The curvy detail gives a contemporary feel to the pendant, and is reminiscent of the wavy ocean.
 Earrings with sterling silver ear-hooks. 31 x 11 x 2mm $180 per pair
Super translucent pounamu with transition colour.
 Trinity (Circles of Life) Pounamu Pendants.
The three circles of life represent the beginning and the end, the joining of cultures, the bonding of friendship/partnership for life. The three pieces symbolise trinity, together they create harmony.
LEFT: Starlight Pendant. 51mm diameter x 10mm - the concave form is thicker at outside edge and thinner in the centre - with adjustable braided cord. $800
RIGHT: Starlight Pendant. - Lightweight version with binding over and adjustable braided cord. 51mm diameter x 4mm, a more delicate piece, light to wear. $530
The outer pieces in both pendants are dark green, almost black Bowenite Pounamu, the middle pieces are translucent Inanga and the inner disks are yellowish Flowerjade.
The colour combination in these pendants with the yellow central disk surrounded by the black rim is reminiscent of a glowing star.
LEFT: Trinity (Circles of Life) NZ Jade Pendant - Ocean. 51mm diameter x 13mm thick with concave form, on an adjustable braided cord $800
The outer pieces are translucent, greenish and bluish inanga pounamu and the inner disk is a yellowish flowerjade.
This colour combination with the yellow central disk surrounded by the bluish rims is reminiscent of a sunset over the ocean.
RIGHT: Trinity (Circles of Life) NZ Jade Pendant - Forest. 51mm diameter x 10mm thick with concave form, on an adjustable braided cord $800
The outer piece is a dark green kawakawa, the middle one is a yellowish raukaraka and the inner disk is a bluish inanga pounamu.
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