Image by smallislander via Flickr
You may have heard of puka shell necklaces, or maybe you own one, but you’ve never heard of a seashell called a “puka” (or sometimes “puca”). That is because the name “puka” is Hawaiian and means “hole” and was given to the bits of cone shells that had naturally occurring holes making them perfect for being strung on some sort of twine or string to become a necklace.
According to this website which explains what Puka shell is, natural puka shell necklaces are made when bits of cone shells are collected with a naturally occurring hole found in the center. The hole is created when the empty shell rolls around in the surf which causes it to break apart. The top spire – pointed, top part of the shell – remains in tact but the very top eventually wears away leaving a hole. “Puka” means “hole” in Hawaiian and that is how the “shell” gets it’s name.
As you can imagine, this takes time, and then the collectors must go out into the ocean water and collect these bits of shell that are just right for stringing. For making a natural puka shell necklace, hundreds of these small bead-like pieces are needed.
As you may have guessed by now, human beings have perfected ways to imitate mother nature and make the “pukas” in bulk without having to be in the Hawaiian islands or go searching for these bits of shell. Lots of puka shell necklaces for sale are not made as they originally were, and many are probably not even made of real sea shells.
If you want to purchase a real puka shell necklace, do your homework and save your money. Real ones will carry a high price.
The North Shore Sea Shell Company is based in Hawaii and claims to sell one-of-a-kind necklaces made only with real, Hawaiian seashells that were collected while uninhabited by the mollusk. (That’s a good thing.) Check out their Puka Shell necklace (and the price!) and read the description where they admit to cutting and shaping some of the shells, although many are found naturally.
Related articles
- Eco-Friendly Seashell Jewelry (seashellsbymillhill.wordpress.com)
Pingback: I Was Once In Paradise | this man's journey
I used to work in an Island where on the other end the beach was called Puka beach. There used to be an abundance of them but then at the height of its popularity a lot of people got greedy and there’s barely left on that beach. I still have a few pieces that I bought from the local fishermen’s wives and children who makes them into necklaces. great post.
As always, it seems that greedy people have to ruin it for us. Glad you came by and said hello.
Pingback: Eco-Friendly Seashell Jewelry | Seashells by Millhill
Pingback: How Is A Seashell Made? | Seashells by Millhill
Pingback: How Does A Mollusk Make It’s Shell? | Seashells by Millhill
Pingback: How To Clean Your Shells | Seashells by Millhill