Edgewater Finds

WOW! This antique maireener shell necklace is one of the more rare pieces of jewelry I have found here in the UK. I normally toss shell necklaces into auction lots but the iridescent colors and old string caught my eye and caused me to research a bit.

Short version- From Tasmania, rainbow kelp shells aka maireener shells, thousands of years of history of aboriginal women making these pieces, popular in Victorian era jewelry, highly labor intensive to produce these necklaces, shells are getting harder to find, prices in the hundreds of dollars, one strand can take months to make.

Curious to know more? Here is what Google has collected.

Maireener shell necklaces are the oldest continuing cultural practice of the Palawa (Tasmanian Aboriginal) women. Handcrafted from iridescent rainbow kelp shells, they symbolize deep connections to the sea and ancestral land. Passed down through generations, these rare and culturally significant adornments are prized globally.
History & Cultural Significance / Ancient Origins: The tradition of stringing shells dates back with remnants of pierced shells found in Tasmanian burials dating to the third century AD.
Custom & Trade: Traditionally, the necklaces were crafted by women and given as special gifts, often marking major life milestones like a wedding. They were also historically traded among Aboriginal groups for tools and other vital resources.
Colonial Era: When European colonizers arrived in the early 19th century, the necklaces caught the attention of settlers. Historical portraits from the 1830s, such as those of the Bruny Island leader Woorady, depict them being worn. During this era, Palawa women also began creating and selling them at local markets to generate income.
Resilience: The craft has survived centuries of displacement and colonization, with matriarchs continuing to pass their knowledge down to their daughters and granddaughters. Today, works by renowned shell stringers like Lola Greeno and Dulcie Greeno are held in major galleries and museums worldwide.
The Shell & The Crafting Process
The Shell: The term "maireener" refers to the brilliant, iridescent rainbow kelp shells (Phasianotrochus irisodontes). They come in striking natural colors, ranging from deep blues and greens to shimmering pinks, purples, and pearlescent creams.
Sourcing: The live shells are painstakingly harvested directly from kelp beds in shallow waters. The best shells are collected from the sea rather than picked up on the beach, as beach shells are too brittle and lose their intense colors.
The Process: Cleaning and stringing can take anywhere from a few months to an entire year. Historically, the outer crust of the shell was removed with a mild acid (such as historically used vinegar), and the shells were pierced using a kangaroo bone and threaded onto kangaroo sinew. Modern practitioners use tools like steel punches and cotton or synthetic threads.
Modern Preservation & Challenges: Today, making these necklaces is highly respected, but increasingly difficult. Ocean acidification and changing climate patterns have severely affected the distribution and size of maireener shells, making them much harder to find. The practice continues to play a vital role in preserving Palawa identity and ecological knowledge.

Here is a blog post from a woman who is continuing the traditional craft of making jewelry with these shells. Her mother and grandmother are mentioned above. https://australian.museum/learn/first-nations/tasmanian-aboriginal-shell-necklaces/
If you have read to the end, you are my people. Nerdy, history loving and appreciates beauty in all forms! Thanks!

Check out this stunner! This fab crystal beaded necklace with a silver and marcasite "pearl clasp" is simply marked SILVER which is a clue to age and origin. The clear faceted beads magnify the light!
Here's what I have found:
British colonial jewelry marked simply "sterling" or "silver" was primarily produced in colonies with strong European silversmithing traditions, notably Canada, Australia, and British India. These pieces were typically marked for the export or settler markets rather than following official UK assay hallmarking standards.
The SILVER mark continued into the mid 20th century. My educated guess is this was produced somewhere in the 1930-late 1950's time period.

This little vintage sterling silver locket on a silver chain is very petite. Maybe the width of my pinky finger. I wish it still had photos inside! They would have been tiny! At this point, I am leaving the patina unpolished. Are you Team Polish or Team Patina?

We took friends to one of our favorite beach towns in the UK - Eastbourne. After walking the promenade and pier, we had lunch at the Beachy Head Pub up the hill from town. Would you say this is a dog friendly place? :) The people food is excellent too!

How sweet is this little enamel and sterling thistle pendant necklace? Stamped "SILVER" on the back.
What does a "SILVER" stamp mean in the UK? I asked an antiques auction valuer last summer who explained that it means sterling. Note the spring ring clasp is stamped "STERLING.".
However, there isn't just one answer.
I found this information while researching:
"Some silver jewelry is marked just “Silver”. This is common on British territory (e.g. Chinese export silver) pieces and indicates “Sterling Silver”.
If you want to go into the weeds and read more about different variations of silver, check out the full blog post by Hunter Ridge Jewelry. This is a useful and detailed article. https://hunterridgeacquisitions.wordpress.com/2014/06/27/the-difference-between-silver-sterling-silver-900-silver-800-silver-alpaca-nickel-silver-and-silver-plated-jewelry/

Another pearl post! This double strand, graduated faux pearl necklace was produced by Rosita - another UK based manufacturer of high quality imitation pearls. Note the nice marcasite clasp!

Here is some information about the Rosita company history and production.

Rosita Pearls were a prominent British costume jewelry brand famous for producing high-quality simulated and glass pearls in the mid-20th century. Established in London in 1912, the company operated out of Grosvenor Street, bringing affordable, realistic pearl alternatives to the broader public until the late 1960s.

Historical Highlights: Rosita Pearls became highly sought after from the 1930s through the 1960s as accessible, glamorous alternatives to expensive natural or cultured pearls.

Signature Craftsmanship: Their simulated pearls were frequently crafted from glass beads layered with a pearlized coating (nacre). The strands were hand-knotted between each pearl for durability and to prevent peeling.

From posting gold to garbage- or is it? When you buy bulk lots like I do, there are always pieces that aren't up to your standard.
What do I do with them?
1) If it has verdigris that can't be cleaned, it goes into the trash.
2) If it is nice enough to wear but not what I want to keep, it goes to the auction house.
3) If it is broken but usable for crafts, it goes into a bag.
Do you have any other suggestions?

This bag is going to a friend of a friend who posted that she is looking for jewellery bits to craft with. I am delighted to share with her. She's getting a cloth tote bag with about 10 pounds of stuff including some nice vintage beads and findings. It isn't going to the landfill. It isn't cluttering up my closet. That's a win all around!
Reuse things. It's good for everyone.

I recently purchased three beautiful pieces of gold estate jewellery from the daughter of the previous owner. Some things are precious beyond their monetary worth. This cocktail ring was purchased for her mother sometime in the early 1970's. The faceted blue stone is glass and it needs a deep clean as this substantial mount makes it difficult to reach. It is constructed with 9ct white gold. As seen in my first two pictures, one prong is broken yet still able to hold the stone.
I am sharing this ring because it is oxidized and I have not polished or cleaned it.
TIP: Gold can and will change color (darken) over time. I believe some of the rhodium wash has worn off which would also contribute to the dullness. Sometimes people think something is costume because of these color changes. It is important to look at the construction, patina and markings in total. Yes, the stone is glass but the setting is 9CT!

Check out this gorgeous intricate gold tone brooch set with faux glass opals and purple cabochons. The main glass stones are also referred to as dragon's breath! Can you see why?
The metal mount is beautifully designed with a slight dome effect and rope details leading to elegant scalloped edges. No markings. All stones are present and the clasp works well. I'm simply crazy about these cabochons! :)