HAWAIIAN Shells 12 SUNRISE SHELLS Double Pikake Lei necklace set handmade

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Hawaiian Shells: 12 Sunrise Shells, Double Pikake Lei necklaces collectable, rareThank you for visiting this auction!This auction features a set of two (2) separate unique handmade lei or necklaces that can be worn together or separately.The longer necklace is ~ 21 inches (includes clasp), the shorter one is ~ 17-1/2 inches (includes clasp).When worn together, the shorter lei rests nicely within the larger lei and imparts a regal look. Both look great worn separately too.Please review my pictures as they are part of this auction's description. All pictures were taken in daylight, and were not adjusted for color. Because the shells are shiny, the pics have white flecks in them which is light refraction, not part of the shell's color.These lei are inspired by the pikake blossoms from the jasmine family. Their sweet, heavenly fragrance was a favorite of Hawaiian Princess Ka'iulani . She named the flower "pikake" after the beautiful peacocks that roamed her Waikiki gardens. I was thinking of her and Springtime rejuvenation when I made both these lovely lei necklaces.Longer, larger lei:The longer lei is made with two strands of braided fishing line and features nine (9) well matched sunrise shells , five (5) shells are 1-1/2 inches wide. I measure sunrise shells horizontally at their widest point, not diagonally. Four (4) sunrise shells are 1-1/4 inches wide. Since most sunrise shells are dime, nickel or sometimes quarter sized, these shells are all larger than a quarter !They have a "warrior" quality to them, as they have horizontal growth lines or ridges which gives them the appearance of ruffles to their rays. Due to tumbling in the ocean they are more smooth than shells collected fresh dead or acid bathed. Although some of their wings are worn down and smooth all these shells are thick.These sunrise shells are well matched, all have a happy yellow color with white lei centers, some with pale pinks in the white. It's taken me years to find shells of this size let alone have them all match so this is a one-of-a kind, rare lei. Due to the sunrise shells size this necklace has some weight and feels great on.Shorter, smaller lei:This lei is also made with two strands of braided fishing line and features three (3) sunrise shells. The center shell is ~ 7/8 of an inch, or nickel size. The two on either side are ~5/8ths of an inch (dime size). These shells have bright yellows, oranges and some pinks, their wings are intact. Since these shells are smaller, this lei is lighter in weight.Other beads on both lei:* Hand carved Hawaiian pikake blossom beads from the 1940's: the detail in the carving gives the appearance of opening flowers. The more common carved beads of this type look simple by comparison, so the quality of the carving in these beads is more rare.* Ni'ihau Momi shells woven in the Pikake style: these are the very small white shells, some have flecks of browns at their tips or on the shell, all have wonderful luster. Although these shells are from Ni'ihau these lei are not made in Ni'ihau. This lei is double stranded so that the momi shells could be woven in the single pikake style that the Ni'ihau lei stranders use.* Hand carved Mother of Pearl pikake flower beads: also from the 1940's with excellent iridescent luster. They are ~ 7mm long and 5mm wide;* Sleeping Beauty turquoise rondells: ~ 5-6mm in size and are smooth (not faceted). The Sleeping Beauty mine is closed now - the turquoise from this mine was prized not only for it's color but because it did not need to be stabilized to retain its lovely robin's egg blue color. The only other turquoise that does not need to be stabilized is Persian turquoise, so this stock is collectable. The robin's egg blue and the yellows imparts a springtime blossom feel to this set of lei;* 3-4mm tiny hand carved faceted mother of pearl spacer beads: this is new stock with excellent luster, and used in the loops for all the shells; and* all natura... read more

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