Totoka Jewelry Fiji will showcase at Sydney International Jewelry Fair at this month end.

It is the largest trade fair for buyers and sellers in the jewelry industry.

The Savusavu based boutique was selected by the Sydney based Pacific Islands Trade and Invest to join three other exhibitors to showcase their products at the Sydney International Conventions Centre, Darling Harbour, Sydney, Australia from August 26 to 28.

Totoka Jewelry Fiji is owned by Marco and Devina Mostert who started their business in Suva two years ago to fill a niche in the local industry which is the hand crafted jewelry from tarnish resistant Argentium silver.

Totoka is the iTaukei vernacular word for beautiful.

Their shop is located in the heart of Savusavu Town at the Waterfront Building, shop number two.

Marco Mostert originally from Pretoria, South Africa said they are excited about being selected and wanted to truly represent the Fiji Islands with the designs that they will take.

“We want to convey the feeling of island living through the designs to showcase, the beauty of the local fauna and flora as well as the truly Fijian motifs and design elements,” Mr Mostert said.

The 30-year-old man who mastered the art of intricate jewelry crafting in Ethiopia says that the creativity in their jewelleries are inspired by the beautiful fauna, flora and arts of the Fiji Islands.

He added that his wife, Devina who is originally from Labasa plays a major role in providing knowledge on the local culture and tradition which has helped in designing their collection of Fijian artifacts in wearable jewelry.

“Once a design has been decided upon, each piece is completely hand-crafted from tarnish resistant Argentium silver by sawing, bending, hammering, doming, texturing and soldering the metal.”

Most of their ideas come to them while snorkelling little sea creatures; walking through the forest, the leaves and swirly designs or noticing the intricate patterns of the local masi cloths at the market.

Mr Mostert sells his products to some of the hotels and resorts in Fiji.

Edited by: Monica Aguilar

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