Large Navajo cluster pendant w/ spiny oyster shell - Bil 492

Navajo artist Elgin Tom has crafted a beautiful cluster pendant. Set in solid sterling silver with genuine orange spiny oyster shells. This large pendant measures 2"1/2 in total length with a maximum width of 1"3/4. The artist has used 14 individually cut shells in the design. The bail is large enough to accommodate up to a 12mm chain or beaded necklace. Navajo artist Elgin Tom original design cluster pendant Spiny Oyster Shell (orange colors) Living Spondylus shells are, indeed, very spiny, but the polished product looks very smooth the most used Spondylid Bivalve shell colors include orange, reds, and purples and may include distinct striations and color variations. One also finds pink, red, brown, yellow, orange, and white on the market. The Yellow Spiny Oyster’s especially rare. In the American Oceans, the Spondylids occur along the North American coasts, as far north as North Carolina, on the Atlantic Coast, and northwestern Mexico, on the Pacific Coast. It develops in waters to South America. The Orange Spiny Oyster occurs in shallow to moderately deep waters, where snorkelers and scuba divers readily harvest them. Purple Spiny Oysters grow in deeper water, making them more difficult to find and harvest.