Atlantic Spiny Oyster Pendant in 925 Sterling Silver – Ed Lohman

Spiny oyster comes in some incredible colors, but this warm orange is probably one of the easiest to recognize. Despite the name, spiny oyster isn't actually an oyster. It comes from Spondylus, a group of marine bivalves known for their heavily spined shells. This particular material is Atlantic Spiny Oyster, and those orange and coral tones are the natural color of the shell rather than something added later.

Spiny oyster also has a long history in jewelry in the American Southwest. The shell was traded inland from coastal regions for centuries, long before modern jewelry making, and eventually became an important material in Southwestern silver and inlay work.

Ed Lohman made this piece, from cutting and polishing the Atlantic Spiny Oyster to building the .925 sterling silver setting and creating the matching inlay bale. We personally haven't worked with spiny oyster yet, but we loved the colors, so we picked a few up! 

• Genuine Atlantic Spiny Oyster shell
• Handmade .925 sterling silver setting
• Matching Spiny Oyster inlay bale
• Completely handmade by Ed Lohman