Shell Jewelry Appraisal

Natural Shell Chip Strand

The item is a natural shell chip strand, likely intended for use as a necklace, bracelet, or for crafting purposes. It consists of numerous irregular, flat, and somewhat curved pieces of shell, strung together. The shells exhibit a beautiful natural coloration, primarily in shades of creamy beige, tan, and light brown, with prominent pearlescent white and iridescent blue-green flashes on one side of most chips. This iridescence suggests they are from a nacreous shell, possibly mother-of-pearl or abalone. Each shell chip varies in size and shape, ranging from narrow, elongated shards to broader, flatter pieces, with organic, unfinished edges characteristic of natural shell. The chips appear to be drilled through, allowing them to be strung linearly. The stringing material is not clearly visible within the chips but appears to be a fine thread or wire. At the very bottom of the visible strand (at least one of the two strands shown), there is a small, unidentifiable gold-toned metal loop, which could be part of a clasp or a connection point for jewelry making. The condition appears to be good; the shells show their natural variations and textures. There are no obvious signs of significant damage, such as large cracks or chips beyond their natural formation, nor any visible repairs. The overall impression is one of natural beauty and an earthy aesthetic, consistent with handmade or natural material jewelry, likely from the late 20th or early 21st century given the style of shell chip jewelry's popularity.