She Sells Seashells by the Seashore

Posted by Laurie Zeiden on Dec 26, 2016

Seashells, the hard protective exoskeletons of sea animals, can be found in all shapes and sizes. And that's also true for jewelry with seashell designs which is the focus of today's blog. Enjoy the jewelry and the facts about shells interspersed among the photos.

SEASHELL SHAPED JEWELRY

Unsigned Pin

Kenneth Jay Lane Necklace

SEASHELL FACT:
Mollusks don't shed their shells; as they grow they just secrete more material (calcium carbonate and proteins) which makes the exoskeleton grow.

Margot de Taxco Silver Pin

Art Pin

SEASHELL FACT:
Most seashells open from the right. Although there are some species with shells that are always sinistral, or left opening, nine out of 10 shells are dextral, meaning they open to the right.

Coro Set

Volmer Bahner Silver & Enamel Pin

SEASHELL FACT:
As a general rule, the more elaborate the shell, the more predators the animal has. Ridges and spikes act as protection for the animal inside.

Lisner Necklace

Trifari Pin

SEASHELL FACT:
Shell collectors beware - the more pristine your example is, the more likely it was taken from a live animal, not washed up on shore.

Unsigned Cuff Bracelet

Unsigned Antique Bar Pin

SEASHELL FACT:
Collectors and students of seashells are conchologists and their subject is conchology.

Finn Jensen Silver & Enamel Pin

Trifari Set

SEASHELL FACT:
Seashells are an excellent source of calcium carbonate, which happens to be a very effective soil conditioner. Some shells are ground down and used to increase the calcium content of the soil while raising the pH level.

Art Nouveau Silver Pin

Antiqona, Paris, Earrings

SEASHELL FACT:
Some seashells have holes in them. The holes were made by predators who drilled or chipped their way through the shell to get at the animal inside.

Unsigned Pin

Sarah Coventry Earrings

SEASHELL FACT:
Shells, especially cowrie shells have been used historically as currency but that's not the only way shells were used. Ancient peoples cleaned out and removed the living organisms from the shells, and used them as containers for food and water.

Les Bernard Pin & Earrings Set

Unsigned Pin

SEASHELL FACT:
Univalve vs Bivalve - Univalves are shells made up of one single structure such as conchs, murex and volutes. Bivalves which include clams, scallops and oysters consist of two separate halves.

Beau Silver Pin

Art Scarf Enhancer

SEASHELL FACT:
SPOILER ALERT: When you put a seashell to your ear you are not hearing the ocean, you are hearing the ambient noise coming from inside your ear and around you.

Gold Filled Pin, 3/4" Diameter