Brittany Lissington (nee Surgenor)
For me, carving is a family business. My father, Glen Surgenor, began carving jade in the commercial factories in Hokitika after he left school, before starting his own business, Surgenors Fine Jade Carving in 1992.
I joined the family business in 2012, and under the tutelage of my father honed my skills as a lapidary carver. I've been carving for retail and wholesale supply since then, sending taonga around New Zealand and across the globe.
After starting a family with my husband, James, we made the decision to embark on our own journey built on our shared passion for pounamu and a desire to spend more time with our children.
In early 2024 we launched Carved in Stone, marketing jewellery and replica artifacts that are produced in our workshop in Kaniere, Hokitika. Being located right in the heart of New Zealand's pounamu producing area, we are proud to take our own place in the local jade industry and continue our family bond with this remarkable stone by creating taonga for you to pass down through your family.
