Nice Oyster

That is, nice SPINY oyster! What are you visualizing? If it's a clam type shell covered in long spikes, you correct. Here's one I have in my collection of shells.

Can you imagine stepping on one of these at the beach? Fortunately in modern times they inhabit the waters of the Pacific Ocean and not the Gulf of Mexico. These are actually in the scallop family and are sometimes called Spondylus, which is Latin for "spines on it's back". Historically, these were used as currency in the early Andean culture. Now they are mainly found in southwestern, Native American type jewelries. Let's end this natural history lesson with a fun little fact. These often are born male and then change to female when they are older!

I put together a treasury on Etsy that shows the range in jewelry that is currently available. View it here. Below are some of my favorites from it.

From Navajo master silversmith Albert Jake, available at the Bugz Store

By Ecuadorian artists, La Perla, available at Organic Jewelry by Allie

Scott Grady ring available at Classic Southwest Jewelry Design

Spondylus more commonly called the Thorny Oyster

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/facts_5728030_spiny-oyster_.html

Spondylus more commonly called the Thorny Oyster

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/facts_5728030_spiny-oyster_.htmlS

Spondylus more commonly called the Thorny Oyster

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/facts_5728030_spiny-oyster_.html

posted under bracelet, earrings, etsy, Indian, jewelry, lesson, native american, oyster, red, ring, shell, southwestern, spiny, spiny oyster, spondylus, TBEC, TheRicharmedLife, treasury |

The (Ri)Charmed Life

Nice Oyster

No comments:

Post a Comment

Swidget 1.0

Followers