A unique piece of nature for your home.

A man in a wetsuit smiling at the camera on the cliff with the ocean behind.

About

Inspired by the Ocean. Crafted with Purpose.

It began in 2019, during a freedive at the breakwater in Victoria. I’d recently taken up the hobby, drawn to tranquility and diversity that is always accessible just beneath the waves. That day, I spotted a sea urchin shell—grapefruit-sized and perfectly intact. It stood in striking contrast to the miniature mandarin-sized ones my daughter had gathered on a beach in Mexico just the year before.

Curious, I cleaned the shell and shone a flashlight through it. To my surprise, it lit up with glowing reds and purples—an ethereal glow. I knew I had to turn it into something special for her: an illuminated urchin shell lamp.

That first lamp sparked a bigger idea. I began combining my love of diving, foraging, and tinkering to craft more. With a background rooted in the sea—my dad was a commercial urchin diver for a time—this new venture felt like a natural fit.

Today, each uniLumi lamp is handmade using shells I procure by freediving or through local divers. Every piece is a tribute to the ocean’s quiet magic, and a reminder of the beauty found in the smallest details.

Handcrafted Sea Urchin Lamps

Each piece is a one-of-a-kind creation—ethically sourced, carefully crafted, and inspired by the ocean’s quiet magic. Made from naturally foraged sea urchin shells, our lamps cast a soft, ambient glow that brings a touch of coastal wonder into any space.

Shells range from 12 to 16 cm in diameter and stand about 10 to 12 cm tall—perfect for shelves, bedside tables, or anywhere you want a warm, natural light. Colors vary beautifully from deep purples to soft pinks, with occasional hints of yellow and green, making every lamp as unique as the seafloor it came from.

Adapters available for purchase as an add-on.

A sea urchin pedestal lamp illuminated on a white surface.
A purple and yellow illuminated sea urchin pedestal lamp on a shelf next to a geometric container holding pens with wood paneling and a book behind.
An illuminated yellow and purple sea urchin pedestal lamp.
Multiple illuminated sea urchin pedestal lamps in shades of pinks, purples and yellows all on a table with chairs behind.

Sustainability

Good For Your Home, Good For The Planet

  • Urchin barrens are detrimental to the ecosystem. The overabundance of Red Sea Urchins leads to excessive grazing, which inhibits the growth of kelp and sessile invertebrates. This disruption affects a wide range of species that rely on kelp forests for food and habitat.

  • To meet conservation objectives and support healthy, productive ecosystems, it’s important to manage urchin populations. In areas where urchin barrens are a known issue, reducing Red Sea Urchin numbers can help restore ecological balance.

  • Closures for conservation purposes may not be necessary in parts of BC where urchin barrens dominate. Instead, increased harvesting of Red Sea Urchins in these zones could promote the regrowth of kelp and support marine biodiversity.

  • By responsibly sourcing urchin shells from overpopulated areas, we help address an ecological issue—while creating handcrafted lamps that celebrate the ocean’s natural beauty and resilience.

  • Red Sea Urchins are one of the most plentiful marine species along the BC coast. With natural predators like sea otters largely absent, their populations have surged—leading to urchin barrens where kelp and marine biodiversity suffer.

    To maintain healthy ecosystems, a commercial quota of around 10 million pounds is set each year. Yet in recent years, less than 50% of that quota has been harvested. That means there’s a large, sustainable supply—backed by science and Indigenous knowledge—that supports both ocean health and responsible use.

    By using urchins collected from overpopulated areas, we’re not just creating lamps—we’re helping restore coastal ecosystems and sharing the story of a species that teaches us about balance, abundance, and respectful harvesting.

Where you can find us.

Contact me directly if you’d like to place an order or chat about a custom piece—I’m always happy to work with your ideas.

A pedestal sea urchin lamp, not illuminated in a bathroom on a black top vanity with wood paneling behind.
A pedestal sea urchin lamp, illuminated in a bathroom on a black top vanity with wood paneling behind.

 FAQs

  • The shell, while coated with a thin layer of water-based polyurethane on the inside, should be handled with care, as you would an old style light bulb.

  • Each lamp includes a built-in LED light and power supply, carefully assembled to highlight the natural glow of the shell. Just plug it in and enjoy the ambient light. Power adapters are available as an optional add-on.

  • The LED bulb has a specified operational lifespan of 10,000 hrs, or 4.5 years at 6 hrs/day. Currently the bulb is integrated into the base. Should the bulb fail, please contact me and I will send out a replacement base.

  • I have come up with a processing technique that leaves the “lobes” of uni intact. It’s good to eat raw in sushi or cooked in a pasta. At current rates of production it provides enough to delight in a few meals per month with family and friends.

  • No two lamps are exactly alike. Shells range from 12–16 cm in diameter and 10–12 cm tall, with natural hues from deep purples to soft pinks—some even have hints of green or yellow.

  • Yes! If you have a specific vision or want to request a custom piece, feel free to contact Nigel directly—he’s happy to chat and bring your idea to life.