Shell jewelry is a beautiful way to express your love of the sea and the natural world. From a simple shell necklace to more elaborate shell earrings, our wide selection of shell beads, shell pendants and other components gives you the tools to craft the perfect beach-inspired designs. You’ll find a variety of shapes, symbols and hues that evoke the natural beauty of a beach-side sunset or a crashing wave. From classic conch shell beads and sand dollar shell gems to mother-of-pearl and abalone shells, there’s something for every style.
Shells have been a popular choice for jewellery since prehistoric times. An archeological site in Southern Africa has revealed the earliest known pieces of jewellery made by humans, including perforated shells Nassarius kraussianus that were strung to make bracelets. Historically, many different types of shells have been used to create beautiful jewellery, such as the kahelelani and puka shells found on Hawaii. These unique shells are held in high regard for their beauty and spiritual properties.
Other types of shells that are a favorite with jewellery makers include granulated cowrie shells Cypraea granulata, money cowries and snakehead cowries Cypraea monetaria. These shells are a great addition to Native American jewellery designs as they symbolize wealth and prosperity. Mother of Pearl is another popular material with cameo carvers who use it to produce intricate images of people, places and things. The iridescent sheen of shells such as paua and abalone brings a natural radiance to jewellery. These shells have also been used in traditional spiritual ceremonies and have a reputation for stimulating creativity and imagination. Shell jewelry
