Single Layer Cut Shells with Gold Leaf Necklace Martin And MacArthur

Lalepa Williams creates fine jewelry with exotic Tahitian shells. Lalepa was born and raised in the small town of Paia, Maui. He says his design sensibility came from his Hawaii roots. Lalepa has lived in Tahiti for the past 30 years, finding individual artisans who work out of their homes creating intricate shell jewelry strung on niau fiber woven from coconut shoots. Lalepa carves each shell himself, with a cutting instrument he created to slice shells with precision. Then, Tahitian artisans meticulously match each shell for size, shape and color to create jewelry with perfect symmetry. DETAILS Approximately 18" Sliced shells / colors vary Brass rose gold plated Niau fiber