Spiny Oyster Jewelry

Spiny oyster shells have long captivated those individuals who have discovered their unusual beauty. When Spanish explorer Hernando Cortez returned to Spain from his ventures in the New World, he presented spiny oyster shells to the King. This interesting and colorful shell was christened Spondylus brodnip princess or Spondylus princeps; Spondylus which translates to "spines on its back"; brodnip for the scientist accompanying Cortez on his journey; and princess for the King's daughter who fell in love with the rich hues of the prickly shell. (Continued Below)

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Navajo Handmade Purple Spiny Oyster Earrings - Vernon & Clarissa Hale (#024) Navajo Jewelry Purple Spiny Oyster & Sterling Silver Earrings 1 1/2" tall x 3/4" wide Spiny Oyster Jewelry $175.00	Silver & Purple Spiny Oyster Navajo Earrings - Vernon & Clarissa Hale (#023) Navajo Jewelry Sterling Silver Post Earrings set with Purple Spiny Oyster 1 3/8" tall x 1/8" wide $78.00	Purple Spiny Oyster Earrings - Vernon & Clarissa Hale (#021) Navajo Jewelry Sterling Silver Post Earrings set with Purple Spiny Oyster 1 1/2" tall x 1/2" wide $165.00
Navajo Silver & Spiny Oyster Earrings - Jerry Platero (#03) Navajo Spiny Oyster Earrings Sterling Silver Post Earrings set with Spiny Oyster 1 5/8" tall x 5/8" wide $180.00	Purple Spiny Oyster Inlay Pin/Pendant - Ray Adakai (#03) Navajo Jewelry Sterling Silver Lizard Pin/Pendant inlaid with Purple and Red Spiny Oyster, plus Turquoise 2 7/8" tall x 1 1/2" wide $400.00	Sleeping Beauty & Chinese Turquoise Earrings w/ Spiny Oyster-Vernon & Clarissa Hale(#016) Navajo Jewelry Red, Purple and Orange Spiny Oyster with Chinese and Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Silver Post Earrings 2 1/4" tall x 1 1/8" wide Watch the Video! $315.00

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Spiny oyster is found in the Sea of Cortez off of Baja, Mexico. The various shades of purple; orange; red; and more rarely, yellow and white; are found at varying depths. Typically, the purple shells are found at depths up to 60 feet; the white in waters from 60 - 90 feet; and the reds and oranges at depths beyond 90 feet. Only as recently as 1976 was the shell offered to Native American artists as an interesting new material to set into their fine silver jewelry.

This week, we are featuring artists Kai Gallagher; Jerry N. Platero; Vernon and Clarissa Hale; Ray Lovato and John Yazzie; all who specialize in creating spiny oyster jewelry. Each of them enjoys the richness of color and interesting striations this special shell introduces into their fine silver settings.

Artists who create Spiny Oyster Jewelry:

Ray Adakai	Ken & Angie Aguilar	Kai Gallagher	Vernon & Clarissa Hale
Ray Lovato	Jerry N. Platero	John Yazzie	Unknown Artist

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