Spiney Oyster Necklace

The Spiney Oyster gemstone is a colorful shell that comes from the oyster species “Spondylus various.” As the the name implies, Spiney Oysters are covered with menacing spines. Spiney Oyster shells are unique, beautiful and also difficult-to-harvest. They are typically found along the coasts of North Carolina, all the way down to the waters near Brazil. They can also be found in the Sea of Cortez and off the coast of Baja, Mexico and Baja California. The shells of the Spiney Oyster are rare finds, and are especially treaured by Indian Artists for their beautiful red, pink, brown, yellow, orange, purple and white colors. Many Zuni artists started creating with Spiney Oyster once Coral was endangered and un-able to be mined. The Orange spiney oysters can range in color from yellow to orange and red. This orange spiney oyster is more common a variety, and it’s found at mid to low ocean depths so snorklers and scuba divers can easily get to it. Purple spiney oyster AKA “deep purple” spiney oyster is much harder to harvest because of the depth at which it is found. This makes purple spiney oyster more rare and often harder to find. Fits Navajo Pearls up to 5 mm (sold separately). Pendant measures 3 cm in length.