KAURI GUM - North Island, New Zealand

Kauri gum is a partially fossilised resin from kauri trees. Kauri forests once covered much of the North Island of New Zealand before settlers caused deforestation. The former forested areas can therefore yield gum, mostly by digging, and it is made into jewellery.

Kauri gum formed when resin from kauri trees was extruded through cracks in the bark, hardening with the exposure to air. It is similar to copal which is the name given to resins from various tropical trees, which, when buried for longer periods of time can be close to amber in durability.