Abalone Shell Earrings ~ Abalone, Garnets, with Pearls. Length: 5 1/8" Artist: Teresa Bradford In my studio, mesmerizing abalone, calm waters, or a delicate splash, for the mermaid within, a dash of Garnets and pearls. Mermaids help Guide us to find a balance between our heart and our mind. Listening to our enchanting knowledge, with the choice of wisdom. Length: For as long as abalone has been nourishing human appetites, their mother-of-pearl bearing shells have been used in ritual ceremonies to replenish our souls as well. Abalone is a type of mollusk, like clams and oysters, except inside their flat, one-sided, ear-shaped shells, abalone has tentacles and feet. These sea snails cling to rocks near to shore and are often consumed by other marine species. The shell of the abalone is extremely durable. Microscopic calcium carbonate stack like bricks stuck together by a layer of protein. The protein absorbs blows to the shell, while the brick formation of the calcium carbonate keeps the shells from shattering. Animals like otters have to get creative when harvesting abalone. Otters have learned to use rocks to pry the muscular mollusks from their tidal homes and scoop them out of their shells. Many native cultures have sustained themselves for centuries by consuming raw and cooked abalone. Tribes native to the North American west coast used abalone shells as currency. Today in South Africa, abalone is still highly sought after, and their shells, which are known to have an especially colorful iridescence, are very valuable. While the North American west coast and South Africa are the two main sources for abalone, they can also be found along the coasts of New Zealand, Australia, and Japan. ❤ Teresa Bradford-Cole Sacred Beaded, Modern Tribal Jewelry My work is emotional and passionate, weaving moments of the past, moments of the present, and Visions of the future, cultivating & manifesting. Creating art to wear, to embrace the sacred shaman within. We are our own shaman. I am intense, my pieces are intense. They are statement pieces, which have an energy of their own, it's as if I throw it all in the air & they fall into place, bead by bead. Working with textures is a passion of mine; I am also driven to create that inspires something I myself would want to wear. It's All About You, Open studio most days from 10:00 to 5:00, DM, make an appointment to have an adventure in shopping. Yes ~ along with basic simplicity ~ It's all about you You deserve to know about my fabulous Treasure chest. Tribal Jewelry, Statement Piece Handmade Jewelry, Art to Wear, with Much Much More. Looking for more Treasures, Or would like to purchase, let your fingers do the shopping xoxo On My ETSY HeartbeatHandmade https://www.etsy.com/shop/HeartbeatHandmade