It was found in Israel and is made of shell beads. It is the oldest jewelry in the world. What did you know? Even in ancient times, the beauty of the sea was an inspiration to people!.
Nowadays, many different kinds of jewelry feature shells and other aquatic goodies. You might be familiar with pearls, puka shells, and sea glass. But have you heard of spiny oysters?.
Spiny oyster jewelry is made from the spiny oyster shell, which is colorful and has an eye-catching texture. Keep reading below for more information about this unique style of jewelry.
Spiny oyster turquoise is a beautiful one-of-a-kind gemstone that has been prized for centuries. The intricate marriage of vibrant turquoise with the natural patterns of spiny oyster shell results in jewelry that is truly unique. But have you ever wondered exactly how this gorgeous stone is created?
In this article we’ll walk through the step-by-step process of how spiny oyster turquoise goes from raw materials to finished jewelry. Understanding the creation process gives even greater appreciation for these special pieces.
An Overview of Spiny Oyster Turquoise
First, let’s understand exactly what spiny oyster turquoise is.
Spiny oyster turquoise combines two components:
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Turquoise – a bluish-green mineral that forms when water seeps through cracked rocks. It has been used in jewelry and art for thousands of years.
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Spiny oyster shell – the shell of the spiny oyster mollusk, native to the Pacific ocean. It ranges in color from orange to deep purple.
When you put these things together, you get a stone with lots of different colors and patterns that looks like the sea. No two pieces are ever alike.
The Incas and Native Americans valued spiny oyster and turquoise for their beauty and spiritual powers. Today, spiny oyster turquoise remains a treasured and increasingly rare gemstone.
Gathering the Materials
The first step in creating spiny oyster turquoise is gathering the raw materials.
Turquoise is mined from the earth in places like the American Southwest. It is extracted from turquoise mines in states like Arizona and New Mexico. The turquoise is then cut into small tiles sized for inlay work.
Spiny oyster shells are harvested by divers off the Pacific coast who carefully remove the living oyster inside. The shells are cleaned and cut into pieces ready for inlay.
Finding quality spiny oyster shell is becoming more challenging. Due to overharvesting, the purple spiny oyster shell is now quite rare and expensive.
Preparing the Turquoise
Once the raw turquoise and spiny oyster pieces are collected, the next step is preparation.
The turquoise tiles are ground and sanded until perfectly smooth. This polishing allows the turquoise’s signature blue-green colors to shine through.
The spiny oyster shell fragments are also sanded and smoothed on the outer edges. However, the inner shell pattern is left intact to create contrast in the finished piece.
Mastering the preparation process ensures the turquoise and shell are ready for assembly.
Inlaying the Materials
Now the true artistry begins – meticulously inlaying the turquoise and spiny oyster fragments together.
The turquoise tile forms the base. The shell pieces are precisely cut to fit into grooves carved out of the turquoise. A skilled jeweler carefully presses the shell fragments into place.
Patience and an expert eye are required. The shell patterns must align visually for a cohesive look. Contrasting colors are paired to create bold designs.
Once fully assembled, the mosaic-like turquoise and shell tile is secured with a resin adhesive. This prevents the materials from shifting.
Shaping and Polishing
After the inlay process, the tile must be shaped and polished.
The tile is cut to the desired shape, whether a round cabochon or rectangular setting. A jeweler carefully grinds and sands the edges into the proper contour.
Finally, polishing brings out the full beauty. The surface is buffed to a smooth, glassy finish. This allows the turquoise to shine while keeping the shell patterns visible.
The result is a flawless, professional prepared gemstone ready for jewelry creation.
Setting into Jewelry
The last step is taking the completed gemstone and setting it into jewelry.
The spiny oyster turquoise cabochon or tile can be incorporated into a variety of jewelry settings:
- A pendant wrapped in sterling silver or gold wire
- The centerpiece of a chunky cocktail ring
- Flanking the sides of a cuff bracelet
- Accenting a pair of dangle earrings
Jewelers expertly set the stone into the chosen jewelry backdrop, whether modern, Southwestern, or classic. The one-of-a-kind patterns make every piece unique.
Once set into jewelry, the spiny oyster turquoise is complete and ready to be treasured.
A Rare and Special Gemstone
As you can see, the creation of spiny oyster turquoise is a meticulous, multi-step process. It requires expertise to properly source, prepare, assemble and polish the gemstone.
What results is a colorful, one-of-a-kind treasure from the sea. The rarity and fragility of spiny oyster shell makes spiny oyster turquoise an increasingly scarce find.
Owning a jewelry piece accented with spiny oyster turquoise allows you to own a true piece of art. Understanding the labor behind its creation results in even greater appreciation for this special gem from the ocean.
Where Spiny Oysters Are Found
They can be found in the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Ocean, and the western Atlantic Ocean. They are commonly harvested in the Gulf of California, which is near Mexicos Baja Peninsula. In these warm waters, spiny oysters have especially vibrant shells.
To harvest spiny oysters, divers have to descend 30 to 150 meters down into the ocean. They then pick the oysters by hand and collect them in nets.
While the oyster shells are perfect for jewelry, the meat inside is actually edible. However, spiny oysters eaten out of season could be poisonous.
Some artisans take apart old pieces of spiny oyster jewelry and use these materials to create new pieces. Since spiny oyster jewelry has been around for a long time, there is a lot of old jewelry that can be used in this way by crafty people who are resourceful.
Styles of Spiny Oyster Jewelry
Spiny oyster is often used in southwest-style jewelry. The earthy tones found in the spiny oyster shell pair beautifully with southwestern styles. Spiny oyster and turquoise jewelry are often worn together for a vibrant effect.
Because of its bright colors, spiny oyster shell is commonly used in statement pieces, chunky jewelry, and other bold styles.
Spiny oyster pendants, rings, and brooches are often set in silver. When paired with silver and turquoise, spiny oyster looks both modern and classic.
These shells are a staple in Native American jewelry styles. This is because indigenous people have been using them to make jewelry for centuries. Many popular artisans who work with spiny oyster are of Navajo descent.
Some cultures believe that spiny oyster shell has calming properties. Others believe that it enhances awareness. You can consider this when you are deciding when and how to wear spiny oyster jewelry!.
Polymer Clay technique-Faux Spiny Oyster Turquoise Technique (kinda)
FAQ
Where does spiny oyster turquoise come from?
How are spiny oysters made?
Why is spiny oyster so expensive?
How is oyster copper turquoise made?
Can you wear a spiny oyster with turquoise jewelry?
Spiny oyster and turquoise jewelry are often worn together for a vibrant effect. Because of its bright colors, spiny oyster shell is commonly used in statement pieces, chunky jewelry, and other bold styles. Spiny oyster pendants, rings, and brooches are often set in silver.
What is Mexican spiny oyster turquoise?
Mexican spiny oyster turquoise from the Sea of Cortez is highly valued for its unique colors and patterns. Be wary of stones claiming to be spiny oyster turquoise but lack a clear and verifiable source. 3.
What does spiny oyster turquoise look like?
Texture and Feel: Smooth Elegance Authentic spiny oyster turquoise exhibits a smooth, polished texture that is a testament to its natural formation. When touched, the surface should feel cool and polished, reflecting the stone’s journey from the ocean depths to its final polished state.