pufel or paua
Pāua.
Paua
Coast Miwok people wore abalone shell beads, clamshell disk beads, dentalium shells, and feather pendants as jewelry. They also used bone, shell, and stone to create earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. Jewelry was often worn for adornment and ceremonial purposes.
In many maritime cultures, shells are seen as symbols of wealth and prosperity. For example, the Maori culture of the South Pacific often uses shells to make jewelry. In Africa, some tribes use shells as status jewelry, usually worn on important occasions.
Paua shell or oyster shell (mother of pear)
A mock cowry shell is a type of shell that resembles a true cowry but is not from the same family. It typically belongs to the family Eocypraeidae and is often used in jewelry and decorative items due to its glossy appearance and attractive patterns. Unlike true cowries, mock cowries are generally smaller and have a different shell structure. These shells are often collected for their aesthetic value rather than for their rarity.
The Yokut tribe made shell bead jewelry, which included necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. They used abalone, clam, and dentalium shells to create intricate designs that were often worn during ceremonies and special occasions.
The Chumash people wore a variety of jewelry made from materials like shell beads, stones, bone, and abalone shell. They created intricate designs incorporating beads and shells into necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and pendants. These pieces held cultural significance and were often decorated with symbolic patterns.
Most jewelry is made of silver, gold and platinum. Recently other materials like tungsten, palladium, titanium and other metals are being used to make beautiful jewelry pieces.
Hunter-gatherers typically wore jewelry made from materials they found in their environment, such as shells, bones, teeth, and stones. These items were often used to signify social status, group affiliation, or for personal adornment. Jewelry was also sometimes imbued with symbolic or spiritual significance.
The value of a cowrie shell can vary widely depending on factors such as size, condition, rarity, and historical significance. In general, cowrie shells are no longer used as currency but are often traded as decorative items, jewelry, or collectibles. Their value can range from a few cents to several dollars per shell.
The shell is principally a symbol of baptism since a shell is often used to pour water on the head.