If you've ever been given a pikake lei, you remember it. That scent stays with you — sweet, heady, unmistakable. Pikake is Hawaii's jasmine, and it's woven so deeply into island culture that it's hard to imagine a wedding, graduation, or celebration without it.
A Flower Fit for a Princess
The name pikake actually comes from the Hawaiian word for peacock. Princess Ka'iulani — the beloved heir to the Hawaiian throne — adored both the flower and the peacocks that roamed the grounds of her Waikiki estate, Ainahau. She wore pikake leis so often that the flower became synonymous with her, and to this day it's sometimes called the Princess Ka'iulani flower.
Botanically, it's Jasminum sambac, a species of jasmine believed to have been introduced to Hawaii from India in the 19th century. But it found its home here. The delicate white blossoms and their intoxicating fragrance became a symbol of romance and love in Hawaiian culture — brides still wear pikake leis as part of the tradition.
Pikake in Beads
We carry pikake flower beads carved from mother of pearl — each one captures that familiar petal shape in a material that has its own island connection. Mother of pearl has been used in Pacific Island jewelry and adornment for centuries, so there's something fitting about pairing it with Hawaii's most romantic flower.
You can find our pikake beads individually if you want to design your own piece, or pick up one of our pikake kits — they're quick projects that come together beautifully as earrings, pendants, or charms.
A pikake lei wilts in a day. A pikake piece in mother of pearl lets you carry that same beauty with you always.
These make wonderful gifts for anyone who loves Hawaii, and they're a piece of island culture you can actually wear every day. Come in and see them — they're even prettier in person.