Cowrie Shell Necklace

The Cowrie: A Sea Snail's Shell

Zoologically speaking, a cowrie is not a bivalve like a mussel or clam, but the shell of a sea snail from the family Cypraeidae. Cowries live in warm seas, especially in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Their shell is made of calcium carbonate and is naturally smooth and glossy like porcelain, because the animal covers it with its mantle. The toothed opening on the underside is typical, and in the light the shell has a warm, creamy white shimmer. For this shell necklace, I use real cowrie shells, each with its own shape and size.

Material and Craftsmanship

I attach a fine wire to each cowrie shell and wrap it by hand at the top into a spiral and a double loop. Because every shell has grown differently, I adjust this setting for each one. A box chain runs through the loop, and its square links lie smoothly against your neck. Silver or gold: the wire and chain come in 925 sterling silver or 14K gold-filled. Gold-filled means a base metal is firmly bonded to a substantial layer of real gold, which far outlasts thin gold plating. Your shell necklace comes in 45 cm (17.7 in) or 40 cm (15.7 in), and you choose the length when you buy it.

Meaning of the Cowrie Shell

For centuries, cowrie shells served as currency in parts of Africa and Asia, and the Maldives were one of their most important sources. That's why, by tradition, they stand for wealth and abundance, and in many cultures for protection as well. Today, a shell necklace mostly brings to mind the sea and summer.

Caring for Your Shell Necklace

The chain is water-resistant, and the cowrie shell comes from the sea, after all. Its glossy surface doesn't like acids such as lemon juice or vinegar, though, because they attack calcium carbonate. Perfume and chlorinated water can also dull its shine. So rinse your shell necklace with clean water after swimming and pat the shell dry.

Store the necklace so the shell doesn't rub against harder jewelry, for example in a soft pouch. Knocks on hard floors can damage the shell. If the silver darkens over time, polish it carefully with a cloth and leave the shell out. That way, its porcelain shine lasts a long time.