Shell jewelry has graced human beings for decades, and symbolism and natural beauty with the sea remain fashionable among jewelers around the world. From ancient civilizations to modern culture, shell jewelry has endured the test of time as a symbol of sophistication and beauty choice but beyond nature and spirituality balance. The beautiful and diverse combination of shape, color, and texture in shells is a highly eccentric and highly capricious medium to have fun with in creating beautiful pieces of jewellery. As fashion and as natural history, shell jewellery is a very old form of fashion and crafts.
Here we are going to discuss the interesting history of shell jewelry, material to make it, benefits of shell jewelry, and do's and don'ts of wearing it for different purposes.
It has been decorated with ornaments for thousands of years. Archaeologists inform us that human beings have decorated shell jewelry more than 100,000 years ago, and some form remains in the earliest history of shell jewelry in South Africa. The earliest human habitation, especially those individuals who lived on the sea coast, were also attracted to the silence of seashells as well as adorned necklaces, bracelets, and even body ornaments by them.
Among all the ancient cultures, shell jewelry possessed a series of symbolic and religious meaning. Cowrie shell, for instance, was, in Egypt, a symbol of fertility, protection, and good luck. Cowrie shells were, other than wealth, other signs to make money and riches among the majority of Africans, especially West Africans. Shell as living energy and as symbol and in marine ecosystems placed it in demand as material for holy and ritual jewelry making.
As there was more trade, shell jewelry permeated the globe to reach multicultural societies and civilizations. Shells represented religious convictions, wealth, as well as opulence, in the Pacific Islands to the Mediterranean. Shell jewelry remains a popular and essential fashion item today and maybe nature- and age- as well as ocean-derived. Popular Types of Shell Jewelry
The advantage of shell jewellery is that a person is blessed with lots of shells to be utilized in the process of creating such beautiful and delicate jewellery. The shells differ from one another regarding shape, size, color, and texture and are adequate enough to be utilized in the process of jewellery making so that different types of jewellery are created. The most popular shells which are utilized in shell jewelry are as follows:
Cowrie shells are the most symbolic of all the shells which are utilized in creating shell jewelry. Cowrie shells are oval-shaped, shiny, smooth, yellow, brown and white-colored shells, which have been fertility and protection symbols since ancient times. Cowrie shells are never oval but very rare so. Cowrie shells adorn jewelry pieces like necklaces, earrings, anklets. They are the perfect style for day or evening wear fashion due to their own inner glow and quiet glamour, thus a bohemian-chic best-seller fashion and beach fashionista.
Conch shell jewellery are a big spiral shell which one might find at the beach. With orange-pink color, and also their flashy spiral shape, they are of highest value in the form of shell jewelry. Conch shells have been used for decades in flashy items of jewelry such as pendants, earrings, and rings. Conch shells turn into gorgeous items of jewelry with undertones of strength, bruteness, and seasaw-ness depending on shape and size. Conch shell jewelry is being worn as a defense and power source.
Abalone shells are considered to be most valuable due to their iridescent, purple color that ranges from pinks and purples or dark blue and green. Their natural luster is the feature that makes them search for highest-quality shell jewelry. Abalone is extremely accessible to handle while dealing with very stunning necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings. Its iridescent shine adds yet another level of opulence of luxury and glitz to any form of jewelry. Abalone shell jewelry is also thought to impart emotional healing energies and resonate with inner peace, creativity, and balance.
Mother-of-pearl or nacre is smooth shining substance in oyster-type mollusk shells. It is lustrous and soft and thus highly resistant to being shaped on as shell jewelry. Pastel green and pastel pink shades are contributed by mother-of-pearl jewelry in cream and white colors. Shell is generally paired with lovely jewelry such as earrings, rings, pendants, and brooches. So fragile in nature that only in beautiful and exquisite jewelry will mother-of-pearl be tolerated, and it is commonly set in silver or gold for that luxurious sheen.
Scallop shells are easy to identify as they have ribs and fan shape. Scallop shells are tiny and every shade of purple, orange, or pink. Though as lovely and symmetrical as a scallop shell may look, it is highly valued for being lovely shell jewelry. Scallop fashion jewelry pendants, earrings, and bracelets are favored by beach fashion jewelry accessories, and the shells also turned out to symbolize beauty, harmony, and femininity. Even, flowing shells are best utilized in creating slender but modest ornaments. 6. Clam shells
Clam shell is a smooth, rounded shell commonly utilized for plain shell jewelry. The shells naturally occur in white, brown, and beige that are ideal for simple jewelry. Clam shell jewelry is so easy to bend into thin dainty necklaces, bracelets, and rings and appear and feel so natural and sophisticated. Because they are extremely plain and smooth, they are extremely adaptable and easily dressed up for party wear or casual wear.
Indeed, there are many reasons why individuals continue to love shell jewelry as a simple means of personal ornamentation. Among the top reasons for opting to include shell jewelry on your agenda are expounded in exquisite detail below.
Others are attracted to shell jewelry since it is the utilization of an eco-friendly product. The shells are not produced but a natural product which will biodegrade naturally, thus an eco-friendly product compared to produced items. Most designers who make shell jewelry engage in ethical purchasing and eco-friendly ways of how they get the shells. Every time you purchase shell jewelry, you are promoting designs with little environmental footprints.
Since shells are unique varied, every shell is unique. That means every piece of shell jewelry is unique, in texture, color, and look. Since it is so unique, shell jewelry is perfect for a person seeking unique accessories with their own unique design. From an obscenely expensive abalone shell necklace to a cowrie shell watch, shell jewelry has the personal touches mass-marketed accessories lack.
There is meaning in most of the shells, and shell jewelry is thus not fashion-oriented so much. Cowrie shells symbolize fertility, wealth, and protection, and conch shells symbolize courage and spiritual commitment to the sea. Abalone shells are said to call forth emotional well-being and inspiration, and scallop shells symbolize inner female power and beauty. Shell jewelry not only makes you beautiful or handsome, but you also surround yourself with the symbolic significance that shells have.
Shell jewelry is versatile and easily adaptable to wear with nearly any type of outfit, whether dressy or beach dress. Their organic appearance also makes them appropriate for bohemian, free-flowing fashion as well as tasteful, higher-end fashion. Shell jewelry works beautifully for a beach wedding or to walk down a sun set beach path after noon because it provides your style naturally with that dash of giddiness. For because of their longevity, things such as these are never to be forgotten. 5. Attachment to Nature
One of the strongest arguments that has been put forth which states that human beings wear shell jewelry is that it makes them recognizable as belonging to nature and, more importantly, belonging to the ocean.
Shells introduce natural beauty and being along with the ocean, and most human beings tend to have some kind of identification that they somehow hold a brimming deep spirituality within nature that they feel through wearing shell jewelry. For all those who love the sea and serenity around it, shell jewelry is constantly reminding them of peace and calmness. Styling Shell Jewelry Shell jewelry is extremely easy to style, and the same can be incorporated easily in any kind of event and dressing. Some ways through which you can style your piece that has shells embedded on it are mentioned below:
Bring that wind-in-your-face, air-conditioned look to a seashell waterfall of accessories. Cowrie earrings and necklace and coordinating-color anklet is beachy-chic for outdoor warm-weather affairs like summer festivals, beach trips, or just work-at-home. Sundresses and sandals are dressed-up by subtle seashell accessories.
To complete the touch of sophisticated class, capped by luxury shell accessories like an abalone shell necklace or mother-of-pearl earrings. These classy accessories can be combined with anything ranging from business clothes to ballgowns as long as there is that touch of sophistication that will never over-accessorize the entire look.
If you wish to appear fashionable, wear large shell pieces of jewelry such as the conch shell neck piece or large scallop shell earpieces. They will make a great fashion statement achievable with the help of plain, naked, bare, single-color clothing so that the jewelry can be highlighted alone. 4. Nautical and Classic Style
To achieve the watery appearance, combine shell accessories with navy prints or unstriped stripes. A conch shell earring or a cowrie shell wrist band would suffice if one is already wearing a striped blouson top as part of the acts in donning spiffed-up, stylish but classy fashion.
There is drama and something retro about shell jewels that reaches way beyond societies, fashion, as well as even generations. Whether you’re drawn to its natural beauty, its deep symbolism, or its sustainable qualities, shell jewelry provides a meaningful and timeless way to adorn yourself. From sophisticated mother-of-pearl pendants to show-stopping conch shell statement earrings, there are just so many to pick from for every style and occasion. And thus, whether to make a statement in boho-chic chic or as a symbolic present, shell jewelry is a wonderful and versatile piece of jewelry that inspires us to remember the loveliness and majesty of nature.