Some pieces of jewelry mark a moment. This one marked a whole chapter of my life.
It was 1988. I had been married for five weeks. I was moving to Hawaii to join my new husband, who was stationed at Pearl Harbor with the Navy. I was at the airport, somewhere between the life I'd known and the one I was about to begin, when this necklace stopped me cold.
Five whole shells — three dramatically striped Turban shells in warm brown and amber, two smooth creamy white Moon Snail shells — alternating along the strand with warm peach rondelle spacers and small gold-tone accent beads. At the center, a rich spiny oyster bib that gave the whole piece a collector's depth. It was assembled by someone who understood shells, who knew that Turban and Moon Snail and spiny oyster together wasn't an accident — it was a composition.
I wore it often during those 18 months in Hawaii. It felt right there, in that place, in that season of life.
Now it's ready for someone else's chapter.
At 20 inches it sits right at the collarbone — exactly where five large whole shells and a spiny oyster bib belong. It's a statement piece that somehow still feels delicate — bold in composition, gentle in presence. Perfect condition. Every shell intact. The screw clasp still secure after nearly 40 years.
One available. All sales final on vintage items. Once it's gone, it's gone.