Original treasures revisited

MARION VAN DIJK/Nelson Mail

METAL MAGIC: Halfdan Hansen with a recreation of one of his late father Jens' original ring designs.

Relevant offers

Arts

Symbols of creative vision Complementary Compositions Different perceptions Let there be light - in its many forms Anatomy of a piano, fish in the Fishbowl Enlightened by France Painting the Frontier – The Art of New Zealand's Pioneers Hitting musical peaks with the power of three Dr Sketchy's takes off Top acts lined up for arts festival

Since beginning in an Alton St house in 1968, the Jens Hansen workshop has made a name synonymous with jewellery in Nelson. Tom Hunt meets Jens' son Halfdan Hansen as the shop marks its 40th anniversary.

Having been plying the jewellery trade for 40 years in Nelson, it may be the thing that Jens Hansen jewellers is best known for - that ring.

The "One Ring" was immortalised as saving the mythical world in the movie version of The Lord of the Rings. It was designed by Jens Hansen before his death in August 1999.

But the Selwyn Pl shop continues to thrive under the ownership of his son Halfdan, who says that over summer, tourists flock to the shop to see the famed ring.

Ironically, it was Jens' reputation as a jeweller that attracted the makers of the Rings films to him, but the One Ring's fame means it will be the creation that gains him the most acclaim, at least in popular circles, his son says. However, "we want to contact the local people and let them know it's not just the ring".

To mark its 40th anniversary, the shop has released a series of jewellery that goes back to some of the original designs Jens Hansen made his name with 40 years ago.

None of the small handful of rings and cufflinks has been made since then, and jewellers at the shop went back to the same techniques Jens would have used when he made them.

Each of the pieces is on display at the shop, and will be made to order.

Halfdan Hansen says the works represent the era in which they were made but have stood the test of time.

Part of the catalyst for the series was finding in the shop some of his father's original drawings for jewellery made many years ago.

Since the project started, some remarkable coincidences have happened, including someone who found one of the original rings in an Akaroa antique store. Another was recently put up for sale on TradeMe the first time Halfdan had been aware of this happening.

The first new ring was bought by a Nelson man for his wife, who had met Jens at a gallery 38 years ago and was invited back to his house to see some more jewellery.

Over 40 years, the price has leapt, even accounting for inflation. A ring that would have sold for around $20 in the early 1970s is now worth about $1000.

The anniversary pieces are also more expensive than other, similar items in the shop, taking into account the extra time needed to make each one.

But if the first round of them is anything to go by, they should easily be around for a further 40 years at least.