The cowrie bracelet is a staple item in many people’s jewelry wardrobe. It’s great for everyday wear, and can be paired with any outfit to create a casual or formal look. This piece of jewelry is also a symbol of wealth and prosperity in many cultures across the globe, as it was used as shell currency from Africa to Asia to Oceania and even in Europe until the 20th century. Cowrie shells are a sign of abundance and symbolize fertility. They are a popular gift for pregnant women to help them conceive and have a safe childbirth. In ancient African culture, cowrie shells are seen as a powerful protection from the ocean goddess and bring good luck to the wearer.
These round-to-oval-shaped shells, also called mermaid’s purse shells or snakehead cowries, are found from the tropics to the temperate Pacific and Atlantic coasts. The smooth, shiny, porcelain-like surface of the outermost shell is called the dorsal face and the flat underside is the ventral face. The color pattern varies from a dull gray or brown to an olive-brown with reddish or white dots and blobs. The shells have a slit-like opening at the narrow end of the dorsal face.
The cowrie is often used as an embellishment in hair jewelry such as headpieces and hair accessories and woven into locs and braids. It’s also a beautiful accent piece in earrings, necklaces and even bracelets. The cowrie is also a popular choice for men’s rings. The shape and luster of the shells make them a bold and striking accessory to any jewelry collection. cowrie bracelet