Blog News & Press

Halfdan Hansen from Jens Hansen jewellers says it is a proud moment for his team, knowing that the New Zealand Prime Minister will be wearing their Nelson Ring. Earlier today [Saturday, 19 October] Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Jacinda Ardern was gifted the iconic Jens Hansen Nelson Ring at the official opening of Nelson Airport’s new terminal. 

Jens Hansen’s “stunt ring", a giant 2.1-kilogram replica of the One Ring featured in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films, has been stroked so much by would-be ring bearers that the gold plating is coming off in patches. Company owner and director Halfdan Hansen said it would soon need to be replated. 

Halfdan Hansen of Jens Hansen Jewellers wears a Gigatown Nelson ring that will be gifted to Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke by Nelson Mayor Rachel Reese as part of the effort by Nelson to win the Gigatown competition

The winning Nelson Ring was designed by Erika Hansen for a contest run by Nelson’s Jens Hansen jewellery workshop. She is not related to the store’s founders. Her design notes describe the ring she submitted as “a representation of Nelson’s geographic coastline and positive energy" It is shaped like the Top of the South.

Whether you entered a Nelson Ring design, or voted for your favourite, thank you for participating in the Nelson Ring design contest.

On 21 July, we asked Nelsonians near and far: “If there was a ring that encompassed the spirit, beauty, geography, creativeness, or history of Nelson, what might it look like?” And to find out, we launched the Nelson Ring design competition, to give Nelsonians a chance to design and win the first ever Nelson Ring.  

If there was a Ring that encompassed the spirit, beauty, geography, creativeness, or history of Nelson, what might it be?