Seashell jewelry

A necklace made of antique coins for the House of Bvlgari is a traditional decoration. The Italian brand began to use antique bronze coins for more than 50 years, back in the 60s of the last century.

But jewelry made from shells is a history of almost twenty thousand years. It is these shells, sawn, drilled or strung, that archaeologists find today. Beauty and perfection, amazing colors of shells created by the underwater world of nature, as if they were intended for those materials that have been used by humans for jewelry since time immemorial. Today, shell jewelry remains one of the most beloved for women.

Choosing the most beautiful, fabulous and bizarre shell shapes with indescribable shades of color is not an easy task. Either twisted into a tight spiral, now long conical curved tubes, or star-shaped shells, differing from each other not only in shape and size, but also in mass, which can reach up to 10 kg in some specimens.

If, for example, we consider only one family of conical shells, then here you can count up to 400 species, which, by their beauty, will not leave anyone indifferent. Yes, they are amazingly beautiful and varied. And with some of them, great care is required, unless of course you decide to find such specimens on your own - they have a kind of protection - a "sting". For many of us, collecting seafood becomes a real disease that takes time and money. Therefore, traveling around the islands, some bring with them unique underwater masterpieces.

One of the first collectors was the Greek scientist and philosopher Aristotle. It was he who created in 336 AD a considerable work on mollusks. Julius Caesar was also a collector of shells.

Among the numerous types of sea shells, there are very rare ones that are of great value to collectors. Their cost can reach several hundred dollars. If you are a lover of travel and scuba diving, then you should get the shells of live mollusks in extremely limited quantities, so as not to damage nature. After all, any reasonable person should always think about it. There are such types of mollusks, for whose shells there is a constant hunt. For example, the shells of tsiprai (cowrie). They are a favorite object for collectors, as their natural beauty and, at the same time, almost no processing of the shell, attracts the attention of collectors.

Cowrie shell

Cowrie shells were a symbol of fertility, they were used to embroider hats, braided vessels, decorated bags and baskets and other household items, as well as ritual masks. Kauri was worn as a talisman-amulet, and it was believed that the more shells a person has, the more reliable protection from mysterious forces. One of the sorcerers of West Africa wore a chain of 20 thousand small shells. How much did this chain weigh? - It turns out about 22 kilograms.

But that's not all. Kauri among the African nobility were insignia, and they replaced orders. The beauty of shells conquered Europeans too, so jewelry made from overseas shells could be found already in the 7th - 8th centuries and in Europe. Until recently, overseas shells were also decorated with ancient festive attire of Mordovian, Chuvash, Bashkir and Kyrgyz women. Nowadays, unusual cowrie shell decorations are often exhibited in art salons, which are not inferior in beauty to a stone placer of gems.

The largest bivalve molluscs should also be noted. These are tridacnae that live off the eastern shores of Australia.True, due to its enormous size, the tridacnus kingdom has significantly thinned out today so that they are listed in the Red Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Molluscs reach a length of one and a half meters and a mass of 250 kilograms. It is unlikely that you will find them, and if you do find them, it is not at all easy to get them, and even more so to bring them with you.

Molluscs live and die (some species can live up to 200-300 years), and shells accumulate on the seabed.

A lot can be said about shells, because the extraordinary perfection of natural creation cannot leave indifferent any of us, especially refined natures.

For a long time, people have been striving to capture the beauty of shells. The front walls of palaces were trimmed with shells, shells were depicted in painting - for example, the birth of the goddess Venus (Aphrodite) from sea foam by all artists of all times was illustrated with the obligatory presence of a scallop shell.

In ornamental art rococo style (rocaille), which means shell ornament, the whimsical swirls are stylized pectene (scallop) shells.

The rainbow play of colors is found on the canvases of the Russian artist M.A. Vrubel, for example, his painting "Pearl".

The Hermitage contains a painting - Still Life with Shells. Balthasar van der Ast.

Some large shells, such as nautilus (boats), have long been used to make goblets, goblets, bowls and other unique items.

In Greek mythology, there is a legend about Pan, the god of forests and groves, to whom Zeus gave a horn from a triton shell. When Pan blew this horn, such terrible sounds were made that all who heard, losing their minds, fled in fear. By the name of Pana, this flight was called panic, and the state of reckless fear - panic.

Some shells in India, Burma and Indonesia are considered sacred. Many shells became amulets, which were believed to bring success and happiness to their owner. But most women, as always around the world, are interested in shell jewelry, which, however, everyone can make on their own.

DIY seashell jewelry
If you pick up a pair of identical small and very beautiful shells, you get successful earrings. For pendants and pendants, it is enough to choose one of the most expressive and beautiful ones.

For the manufacture of beads and necklaces, a large number of shells are required, which should be somewhat similar to each other. And if you want to prove yourself as a real artist, then you can collect unusual souvenirs or objects from ordinary shell scrap. For example, a vase of flowers.

It is better to "write" shell applique paintings from whole shells, intact, but having a simple shape.

If you wish, you can make toys, boxes, boxes and even cameos... You already know that cameos are made of stone (glyptics - stone carving). It can also be made from shells, only in this case the material is softer and more pliable than stone.

If you love nature, in your hands shells can turn into cute animal toys, an unusual painting, original earrings or clips, necklaces or pendants and much more. And you just need something: a jigsaw, a drill, drills, a brush, paints, glue, cardboard, fishing line, fasteners for necklaces or earrings and ... patience.