About Chele Clarkin Jewellery
Inspired by a lifetime’s adventures with horses and family around the world, Chele Clarkin has, for more than 30 years, delighted in turning her client’s dream pieces into treasures they will love forever.
“Each special piece of Chele Clarkin Jewellery comes from the wonderful stories you share from your hearts about the horses and family you love,” Chele says.
“We are privileged to hear those stories - sometimes happy, sometimes sad - and we know you really enjoy connecting one-on-one as part of this creative process.
“We love to talk about what you have in mind – for yourself or that special someone – and we love to customise pieces to give you that special look.
“That’s why Chele Clarkin Jewellery has now moved and welcomes you to the lovely rural setting of ‘The Happy Hare’ on Tarr Road, Mystery Creek, near the Clarkin family’s polo field.”
There are gorgeous treasures available in gold, rose gold and silver, popular with our racing, hunting, show jumping, eventing, showing and polo owners and riders.
Our Chele Clarkin Jewellery range is inspired by all things equestrian and includes necklaces, pendants, bangles, bracelets, rings, cufflinks and much much more.
Wearing a lovingly-made horsehair bracelet is a wonderful way to cherish your memories of your very special horse.
The repurposing of vintage pieces is also popular.
Many of us have wonderful old pieces sitting in a jewellery box and what was your grandmother’s favourite brooch can now be made into your own modern piece of art.
Nana would love that.
The Chele Clarkin Jewellery Story
The story began more than 30 years ago, when Chele lived in England with her late husband Paul Clarkin who played polo there during New Zealand’s winters.
Susie Ferguson – wife of famous Argentinean polo player Hector Barrantes and mother of Sarah, Duchess of York – brought to England some small gold polo stick pins made in Argentina.
Chele loved them and, on returning home to New Zealand she had a range of polo pieces made – the Chele Clarkin Jewellery had begun.
It was an exciting time for the young Clarkin family.
Paul, Chele and their two young children, John Paul (JP) and the late Emma, were based in England during the polo season and Chele always took with her a stock of her New Zealand-made jewellery designs to sell to the polo set.
The range soon included pendants, horse charm bracelets, bit bracelets and more.
Several polo seasons later, the Clarkins ventured to Oman in the Middle East where Paul was polo officer to the Sultan and Chele became private secretary to the Director-General of the Royal Stables.
Each year the family returned to New Zealand for a month where Chele created more equestrian jewellery designs to meet the growing international demand.
The Clarkin family returned home to New Zealand after second son Matt was born and Chele’s jewellery business moved into another growth phase world-wide.
A wonderful kiwi success story from very small beginnings.