Dentalium – Black Horse Stars and Hearts Earrings

Description

Dentalium – Black Horse Stars and Hearts Earrings are a bold expression of movement, tradition, and luminous detail. Slender dentalium shells create the graceful 4.75-inch drop, accented with iridescent mother of pearl stars and hearts, silver beads, and glass beads in tones of white, black, silver, iridescent purple, and gray. Carefully handwoven using durable Nymo thread and finished with surgical steel components, the 0.75 × 4.75-inch silhouette offers fluid motion and elegant presence.

In Native American traditions, Dentalium — or tusk shells — are small tubular mollusk shells historically harvested from the Pacific Northwest, particularly around Vancouver Island. Highly valued and widely traded among Indigenous peoples across America, they symbolized wealth, status, and beauty, and were often used to adorn dresses, necklaces, earrings, and ceremonial regalia.

Many centuries ago, Indigenous tribes embraced horses not as possessions but as relatives — teachers, healers, and partners in culture, survival, and resistance. Horses are deeply woven into Indigenous art, ceremony, history, and storytelling, representing wisdom, endurance, leadership, and spiritual partnership. Native communities continue to honor the profound strength and guidance horses bring to their world.

In Native American traditions, particularly among Southwestern tribes such as the Zuni, mother-of-pearl is regarded as a sacred material symbolizing protection, intuition, and calming energy. Used for over a thousand years in jewelry and ceremonial items, it is revered for its connection to the ocean and moon, promoting emotional harmony and balance.

Together, dentalium, horse symbolism, stars, and hearts create a design rich with layered meaning — honoring resilience, protection, guidance, partnership, and enduring spiritual continuity.

Details

• Colors: White, black, silver, iridescent purple, gray

• Materials: Dentalium shells, mother-of-pearl stars and hearts, silver beads, glass beads, surgical steel, Nymo thread

• Size: 0.75 × 4.75 inches

Care Instructions: Wipe with a damp cloth and keep dry. Dentalium is a delicate shell and can break or crack if you are rough with it. Even though the Nymo thread is nylon based and is very strong, pulling hard and yanking on the earrings can tear the thread. Please be kind to these earrings when you wear them.