Paua sells in U.S.

Press, 4 March 1978, Page 21

Paua sells in U.S.

NZPA staff correspondent Washingtoi Ken Norton, the world heavy-weight boxing title contender, wearing a New Zealand paua tear-drop pendant set in sterling silver? It seems a little unlikely but he will get one soon from a New York jewellery wholesaler. The New Yorker, Julian Fabian, who deals in paua shell in a big way, hoped Norton would arrive for the pendant presentation at last week-end’s Gem, Mineral, and Jewellery Show in the “Big Apple.” Norton was unable to get to the show and so Mr Fabian will give the pendant to him soon in the

course of a Western sales trip. It happens that Mr Bobby Goodman. Mr Fabian’s publicity man, is close to the Norton camp, too, and that led to Norton getting the paua pendant. New Zealand trade officials estimate that New Zealand will make paua jewellery sales worth nearly $250,000 in the United States this .vear. That is about a 10-fold increase on 1977 and most of the credit goes to Mr Fabian, who flew to New Zealand about 12 months ago and arranged four suppliers —- Mastercrafts (Auckland), Ariki (Blenheim), L. V. Martin (Wellington), and J. Bwoek, Ltd (Wellington).

Mr Fabian said he has made paua shell his main line and that it is getting a good reception in spite of its fairly high price once it is set in silver. “It is a quality product and the workmanship is good. The New Zealand manufacturers take pride in their work,” he said.

Mr Fabian has set up a national distribution network and is promoting the New Zealand jewellery heavily. “We did good business at the Trade Show in New York but we are only scratching the surface thus far. If we keep up the quality and sell it that way I think there is a big market here for New Zealand.’’ Mr Fabian said.