Aquarius Design is a jewellery, giftware and accessories supplier. With a strong focus on the souvenir industry, we tailor our products and services to meet our customers’ needs.
Paua shell specialists, we’re inspired by New Zealand’s natural environment and traditions. We are continually producing contemporary jewellery using only premium shells, working in harmony with Paua’s natural beauty.
The intense colour of New Zealand Paua is only found in the seas around Aotearoa (New Zealand). Its vibrant shell makes it a much sought after souvenir of New Zealand.
Paua is a species of Abalone (Haliotis Iris), which is a type of mollusc, unique to New Zealand. The meat is a local delicacy and the shell is mainly used for making jewellery. Paua is properly managed in a sustainable way using a quota system. Additionally the shell can only be caught by free diving and there are minimum size requirements.
With one of the most extensive natural and dyed Paua jewellery ranges available, Aquarius Design remains a market leader in souvenir jewellery. Our own retail branding, in-house design studio and factory allows us to continually develop unique products and ensure our high quality standards are maintained.
It was in 1987 that Robert Grenville Founded a company to Specialize in selling Paua Shell Products. Aquarius Design Ltd was formed and developed a wide range of products more especially Paua Shell Jewellery. In 1994 the company had flourished and needing a move to Auckland from its base in Kaitaia. Aquarius continued to grow to become a leading force in Souvenir Jewellery.
At a similar time Dale Borland Marketing was formed to service the Sheepskin market in the Souvenir Industry. The 1972 formed company grew steadily. Other product ranges were introduced including Resin Gifts, Woodcarvings, Paua Shell Jewellery, Bone and Greenstone Carvings. This company had a wide and especially popular market share due to the quality and manufacturing excellence of the products. In 1993 Dale Borland Marketing (1993) Ltd evolved being purchased by John Harrison,who had been with the company since 1972, along with Wife Dale Harrison. The company also flourished and had become a leading supplier to the Souvenir Industry.
In 2020, at the height of Covid, Rob approached John with an offer to buy out Aquarius Design. Dale Borland had become a Specialist in Greenstone Carving and Jewellery as well as a leading supplier of Bone Carvings and Woodcarvings. With the excellence of the Aquarius Paua Jewellery range it was logical for the two companies to combine and in 2021 the purchase of Aquarius Design was complete. Aquarius has retained its identity but is now under the ownership of Dale Borland. The two integrated successfully and now they run along side of each other as one of the leading suppliers to the Souvenir Industry. In 2003 Steven Harrison joined the company and under the Guidance of his Directors runs a dedicated team. Dale Borland Marketing has continued to develop the absolute best ranges of Souvenir Products and Steven’s team will be building on that excellence for Years to come.
