Spiny Oyster and Turquoise Necklace

+About this piece:
This is a favorite necklace of mine. The color of these spiny oyster shell beads, especially combined with a single turquoise nugget, just pops. It can be worn with just about anything and look amazing.
 
Spiny oyster is a mollusk, closely related to the scallop. Native American jewelry makers have used these shells in jewelry, for centuries. The brightly colored shells make beautiful beads.
 
I paired it with an American mined turquoise nugget. The closure is a large, sterling, hand crafted hook closure with a sterling ring, hand forged from a vintage die. My maker's mark, and another turquoise nugget, is at the clasp. This necklace is perfect alone or layered with other pieces.
 
Necklace length is approximately 18 inches.
 
+About spiny oyster: 
Spiny oyster shell has been used for centuries by Native American jewelry makers. It lends itself well to cabochons, inlay and beads. The shells of these mollusks, more of a scallop than an oyster, are colored according to the depth of water in which they're found. Orange is found in shallower waters while purple and red are found in deeper waters. They're harvested in the Sea of Cortez and along the Baja California penninsula.
 
+All sterling. Genuine gemstones. Hallmarked. One-of-a-kind. Hand built in the heart of the West.
 
+ Details: 
+ All pieces are slowly and carefully handmade, in my studio in Sheridan, Wyoming. Because of this, each piece is unique and may contain the slight imperfections that you would expect with a handcrafted item. Perfectly imperfect!
+ As with all handmade jewelry, please be mindful to take care of it. It should not be worn in the pool, shower, while cleaning, during strenuous activities such as sports, or in the water.
+ Sun, heat, lotions, sunscreen and chemicals can affect stones negatively. Clean silver (not stones) with a gentle polishing cloth, especially for jewelry (Sunshine polishing cloth is recommended).