Aloha, and thank you for being here.

Today I wanted to gently share a little insight on something that often stays behind the scenes, but plays an important role in Niʻihau shell jewelry — shell quality and the people we choose to buy from. It’s one of those things many don’t think about at first, whether purchasing finished jewelry or loose shell supplies, but it can make a meaningful difference in the overall experience.

Why Shell Quality Matters

Shell quality plays an important role in how Niʻihau shell jewelry is made and how it wears over time.

I wanted to share a little insight here, simply to help you avoid disappointment and save time, effort, and unnecessary expense — lessons learned along the way. When choosing where to purchase, whether it’s finished jewelry or loose shell supplies, shell quality and the people behind it matter more than many realize.

Good suppliers don’t just focus on selling a product. They take care in how shells are sorted, packed, and represented, and they stand behind their work if an issue comes up. Clear communication, honesty, and consistency help prevent misunderstandings and unhappiness, allowing both sides to feel comfortable and respected.

A reliable supplier is also someone who takes the time to answer questions, explain what you’re receiving, and follow through on what was promised. These small but important details help build trust and make long-term relationships possible — something that benefits everyone involved.

Not All Shells Are the Same

Even when shells appear similar at first glance, there can be important differences beneath the surface. Strength, thickness, and overall condition often vary depending on how shells are collected, handled, and carefully sorted before they ever reach the maker.

These natural differences are part of working with real shells, which is why quality and proper sorting play such an important role in the jewelry-making process.

If you’d like to read a little more about shell grading, I’ve shared information on A-grade, B-grade, and C-grade shells in my blogs.

What You Can Expect From a Good Supplier

A good supplier is reliable. You know what you’re receiving and what you’re paying for, with no surprises when your order arrives. What’s delivered matches what was promised, and quality stays consistent from order to order.

I’m grateful to say this is exactly the kind of relationship I have with my suppliers on Kauaʻi and Niʻihau. They are honest, kind people, and over the many years we’ve worked together, love, respect, and trust have naturally grown between us. These relationships were built slowly — through showing up for one another, working consistently, and helping each other along the way.

When you look at this subject more deeply, it’s not just about buying and selling. As I’ve shared in another blog about how I get my Niʻihau shells, trust comes over time, through real partnerships between sellers, buyers and collectors who support one another in meaningful ways.

Over time, that trust has grown, and they provide shells I can use to continue creating this beautiful art — something I fell in love with many years ago and have continued to create ever since.

I hope that when you walk through my website — from the photographs to the words — you can feel the care, love, and intention I put into every step along the way. This is not just a business to me. It is my passion, my love, and my respect for this art, and for the customers who also cherish it and choose to support it.

I’ve taken this journey seriously and personally from the very beginning. From the day I decided to learn, I knew that if I was going to continue, I wanted to do it the right way — with patience, honesty, and respect. I truly hope that shows.

In this way, my customers become part of that circle. Every purchase helps support the collectors, their families, and the continuation of this tradition. It’s a shared effort built on reliability, trust, love, and respect — and I’m deeply grateful for everyone involved.

Consistency, Trust, and Long-Term Quality

Consistency matters — especially in jewelry and in online markets where trust is everything.
This isn’t something I just started thinking about recently. It’s something I’ve been living with and practicing throughout my whole life, both quietly and consistently.

Working with reliable suppliers and maintaining steady standards — from grading and natural imperfections to workmanship and finished pieces — helps create clear expectations. These small, often unseen details allow makers and jewelry artisans to plan their work with confidence and care.

I share this not because it’s something new, or because there’s a right or wrong way, but simply because it’s one of those small details that can easily be overlooked — yet makes a meaningful difference over time. It’s just a gentle observation from my own experience, offered openly and with respect.

Why Stable Pricing Matters

Along with quality, stable and transparent pricing makes a real difference. In my earlier years, I worked with many different suppliers — and it wasn’t always easy. Much of the time, it felt stressful and unpredictable, especially when prices changed suddenly, quality varied from order to order, or expectations weren’t clearly set.

When you’re able to purchase and exchange shells in person, that uncertainty feels lighter — you can see and choose for yourself. But buying online is very different. Once you’ve paid, the waiting begins: wondering when the order will ship, how carefully it will be packed, how it will be handled during delivery, and whether everything will arrive safely. Those quiet worries often stay with you until the moment you open the package and see that everything arrived as hoped.

Experiences like these are why consistency matters so deeply to me. Over time, I’ve learned that when both quality and pricing remain steady and transparent, it protects your time, effort, and resources — and allows you to create with more ease, confidence, and focus.

It also goes without saying that when good suppliers and thoughtful buyers work well together, everyone benefits. Shell collectors and jewelry makers are often in the same situation — just standing on different sides of the process. Collectors also rely on stable, reliable buyers, especially when they have extra shells to sell or need income. Like all of us, they have expenses, responsibilities, and daily lives to support.

I see this as a natural circle — of life, of business, and of respect. When shells are gathered, used, and presented with care and intention, it helps keep this beautiful art alive. In doing so, more people come to understand it, appreciate it, and carry it forward with the respect it deserves.

Learning, Adapting, Growing Together in a Changing World

To close this blog, in today’s world of the internet, apps, and social media, these tools have become a big part of everyday life. Because of that, they’ve also become something my suppliers have had to learn and adapt to over time. When you don’t really have a choice — when these tools become part of how you live, work, do business, and receive payments — it can feel confusing and sometimes even scary, especially when everything is new.

For some of my suppliers, using apps or digital payments didn’t come easily at first. So over time, I’ve helped them understand how these tools work and how to use them safely and carefully, in ways that feel comfortable for them. Not to push them, but to support them — so technology could make things a little easier instead of more stressful.

Anytime they feel unsure, all they need to do is call or text me, and I’m always there to help. Not because I know everything — I don’t — but because I’ve learned a little more along the way and I’m happy to share what I know.

Seeing them grow more confident and comfortable now truly makes me happy. They’re doing great, and knowing they’re able to use technology to their advantage — to make daily life a little easier and open up more opportunities — means a lot to me.

If you’d like to learn more

If you’re interested in learning more about Niʻihau shells, shell quality, and what goes into creating Niʻihau shell jewelry, you may enjoy exploring these topics:

• What Are Kahelelani Shells
• What Are Momi Shells
• Why Are Niʻihau Shells So Rare and Expensive?

You can always find these and more by searching ShellsHawaii blogs.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and learn a little more about this part of the process. Choosing good suppliers isn’t always obvious at first, especially when you’re new, and it’s something many of us only truly understand after spending time working with shells ourselves.

My hope is that sharing this helps make your journey a little smoother, whether you’re just starting out or have been creating for a while. And as always, if you’re curious, learning, or simply enjoying the beauty of Niʻihau shells, I’m happy you’re here and look forward to sharing more along the way.