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Nānū – Hawaiian Gardenia Necklace

$185.00$240.00

The petite Nānū flower, also Na’u and Hawaiian gardenia. Fragrant, beautiful and sadly endangered. We carved this little blossom to raise awareness of this pretty, and useful plant. Choose from a citrine (to mirror the colors of the gardenia) or a blue topaz.

Part of our Kahakai Lei Collection, Hawaiians would use nānū in both strung lei and in lei po’o (head lei) but so much more – read more below. Wear nānū and let our Hawaiian history live on.

 

Nānū

Nānū (gardenia brighamii), has glossy green leaves, and white flowers with a yellow center. Unlike the gardenias most of us are familiar with, nānū are only about 2″ across. In old Hawaii nānū  had many uses. The fragrant flowers were used as adornment and in lei making. The wood was used for making kapa anvils (kua kuku), and the fruit’s orange-yellow pulp was used to dye kapa, distinguished as a color that doesn’t fade when dried. The plant is also edible, flowers can be used in tea, or eaten raw, cooked, pickled or even preserved in honey. The tart fruits can be eaten raw or in cooked food as well.

While nānū  is thought to have been found on all Hawaiian islands, it is now nearly extinct in its natural habitat. According to various reports, on Oahu there is either just one or possibly two different wild plants in native habitats remaining. Additionally, there is one in Lyon Arboretum, and another in Koko Head Crater, and is known to be relatively easily cultivated. This plant is endemic and considered endangered.

 

Details

Our Nānū Necklace features hand carved native Hawaiian flowers of Gardenia brighamii, or Hawaiian Gardenia, and are available in sterling silver  or 18K vermeil, solid gold on request.

 

  • Nānū flower measures 15mm across, leaf is approx 11mm
  • Low tarnish sterling silver or 18K vermeil
  • Also available in 16″ or 20″ on request (no additional charge)
  • Sterling silver (gold fill chain for vermeil)
  • Also available as a charm in the O Ke Kai Collection
  • Lead and nickel free
  • Made in Hawaii
  • To request gold or ask questions, please contact us

Additional information

Dimensions 8.5 × 5.5 × 1.5 in
Metal

SS, 18K vermeil

Gemstone

Citrine rose cut, London blue topaz cab, Garnet cab, Pink tourmaline cab

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