Estate 100% Hawai'ian Kahelelani NIIHAU SHELLS w Puka Dangle Earrings 14kgf

Description

Estate 100% Hawai'ian Kahelelani NIIHAU SHELLS w Puka Dangle Earrings 14kgf
This item was made in Hawaii, and is at least 80% Niihau shell. The actual percentage of Niihau shell in this item is 100%.
These are very High Quality Kahelelani Shells.  The Shell Colors are Maroon and Light to Medium Flower Pink.
The Earring Length is 2" including ear wire
There are also Puka Shells
Beautiful quality shells ... very Lustrous
There is a photos of a Ni'ihau Shell with Sunrise Shell Lei that matches and is being sold separately in another listing.
Each tiny shell is hand gathered from the beaches in Niihau...
In the traditional masterly style, the shells have sand inside to add weight...
They are so valuable that they are the only shells that can be insured.
These shells are 100% Hawaiian Niihau shells.
These are considered a great treasure and are sometimes referred to as "the gems of the Pacific" because they remain the only shell jewelry in the world that is insurable, as any other precious gem.
Original stringing.
Hawaii's famous "Forbidden Island" Niihau lies approximately 18 miles south-west of Kauai. It was named "forbidden" because of private ownership and access was limited to it's owners, the Robinson family and the island's 200 plus native inhabitants. The Scottish Sinclair family, Robinson's ancestors, purchased the tiny island from King Kamehameha in 1865.
The native Hawaiians living on Niihau have been creating shell ornamentation since before Captain Cook's arrival in 1778.The tiny shells used in jewelry are carefully collected, sorted and cleaned. Holes to string the shells are pierced with a sharp pointed instrument or awl, a process which unavoidably destroys up to a third of the shells.
Leis which require larger quantities of individual types of colored shells, sometimes require up to 6 to 7 years of shell gathering. Most Niihauans agree that the best shell gathering only lasts for 5-6 months of the year.
Gemstones, Pearls and Shell colors might vary slightly according to computer screens. I have photographed these pieces in Hawaiian light and they may appear slightly different in another environment.
Buyers must first add items to the Cart to purchase multiple items with a single payment.
For International Buyers: I can only combine a limited number of items to combine shipping. Please check with me first.
I cannot check every countries customs codes, so please check if this item is allowed in your country before bidding.
I HAVE TRIED TO DESCRIBE ALL MY ITEMS AS HONESTLY AND ACCURATELY AS POSSIBLE. I ALSO ATTEMPT TO PRODUCE THE BEST POSSIBLE IMAGE THAT WILL BEST REPRESENT THE PIECE THAT I AM SELLING. IF YOU REQUIRE FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THIS ITEM PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME PRIOR TO BIDDING AND I WILL ASSIST IN ANY WAY I CAN. ALL LOTS ARE SOLD 'AS IS'.
Please ask any and all questions before bidding, as all sales are final. Failure to ask any and all questions about the item for auction before bidding is the full responsibility of the buyer. In the rare instance of an acceptable return, there will be a 25% fee. If any sale is cancelled for any reason, there will also be a 25% fee. MORE PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. Bidders are encouraged to INSURE packages. Insurance coverage is Buyers responsibility! If for any reason this item is lost in shipping and the insurance needs to be filed, I will send the necessary documents to the buyer for them to negotiate with the shipping agent for a refund. The packing, handling and shipping rate might actually be more once the items are packed and the destination is decided. At that time I will send a bill for the balance before shipping. As illustrated, with general wear as expected with an item of this age. In most cases I will not issue a refund unless I shipped you the wrong item by mistake.  However, if you a re thoroughly unsatisfied you may contact me and discuss the situation.  In some cases a refund may be approved but you must ask first and you must return the product in satisfactory condition within 7 days. I do not refund any shipping charges.  Please know what you are purchasing before you buy it. There will be a 12.5% fee for any cancelled transaction. The absence of a complete condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of ageing.