Black Serpentine Roimata

This Black Serpentine Roimata is a taonga representing connection, remembrance, and emotional expression. Hand-carved by 16-year-old Māori carver Hemi Smiler Smith, this piece honours the traditional roimata (teardrop) form, a design associated with tears, remembrance, and the expression of emotion.

The roimata design carries a simple yet meaningful shape, with its flowing profile and rounded base reflecting the natural form of a falling tear. This taonga celebrates the significance of personal connection and the stories and emotions we carry with us.

Carved from black serpentine, this taonga showcases a deep, dark appearance with distinctive natural green markings running through the stone. These natural variations give the piece its own individual character, creating a contrast between the dark body of the stone and the lighter green feature visible on its surface.

Every stage of the carving process is completed by Hemi with patience, purpose, and respect for the stone. From shaping and grinding through to polishing and finishing, each step is carried out by hand with attention to detail.

The binding is hand-completed using black cord, carefully wrapped around the top of the stone and finished with a braided necklace. The dark binding complements the natural colour of the serpentine, creating a balanced and understated finish.

🔹 Material: Black Serpentine
🔹 Design: Roimata (Teardrop)
🔹 Dimensions: 74 × 20 × 14 mm
🔹 Colour: Deep black with natural green markings
🔹 Binding: Black cord with braided necklace
🔹 Finish: Hand-polished to reveal the stone's natural colour and character
🔹 Carver: Hemi Smiler Smith, 16-year-old Māori carver
🔹 Origin: Hand-carved in Ōtautahi, Aotearoa New Zealand
🔹 One-of-a-kind: Natural variations make every taonga unique

Whether worn as a personal reminder of connection, treasured for its natural character, or gifted to someone special, this Black Serpentine Roimata carries its own distinctive appearance and story.

Created with intention. Worn with meaning.

Exclusively available through Te Toki Toru Pounamu.