The use of shell jewelry has been recorded since the ancient time of human history. The shell jewelry has been found in from the southwest of the United States to Egypt. The beauty of shells could be the reason for their popular used since the past. Today the use of shell jewelry is still popular although some of them are rarely found in the nature already. Here are the examples of shell use from the past topresent time.
1. Ni’hau Shell: found only from the island of Ni’hau, one of the Hawaiian chain of islands. They are very tiny shells that come in many different colors. The drilled shells are stringing together for a production of necklaces, bracelets and anklets. Based on their difference in colors, the mixing and integrating of shells generates colorful jewelry pieces by the nature of shells. The shell necklaces using the Ni’hau shells are so valuable in this current time.
2. Paua Shell: found only in New Zealand sea zone. It is a member of the abalone family with color ranging from greens/blues to pinks/purple colors. Based on their rarely present in the nature, strict regulations on shell harvesting are applied. The paua shells can only be harvested by free divers. Scuba and air tank are not allow in the process of harvesting. The use of paua shells as pendants and earrings are found since the past, together with the metal like silver and gold. The mixing with beads and shells also found for the shell bracelets jewelry.
3. Cowrie shell: found in Africa region. The shells are coming withsmooth surface with porcelain-type shine. The cowrie shells were popular used in several countries since the past to present. It has been found in the buried tombs of the Pharaohs of Eygpt and used as the African currency before the current money period. The jewelries made by cowrie shells are necklaces, bracelets, pendants and also earrings.
4. Heishi shell: the shell found in the southwestern of the United States. The heishi shells is coming with uniform disk shapes, make a drill at the centre of shells and string together for necklaces, bracelets and anklets. The ancient Indian cultures in the southwestern of the US were using these shells since the past and now, the used of this shell type is still found in New Mexico area. The mixing for heishi shells with stone beads and metal beads are also found in the world of shell jewelry.
