eBay

Genuine Hawaiian Puka Shell Necklace crafted with medium sized graduated 10.318mm to 9.525mm to 8.731mm pukas strung back-to-back to emphasize the unique nature created ‘Pearlized Sheen’ of these pukas. Vintage 70s Puka Shells that radiate warmth and joy the boho style make this necklace perfect for both men and women who love the ocean and all it represents. Imagine yourself wearing this necklace and feeling the ocean breeze on your face, the sand between your toes, and the sun on your skin.

If for any reason this particular necklace or any of these shop’s listed necklaces doesn’t meet what you’re looking for, let me create a custom necklace to your liking.

V I N T A G E ∙ 1 9 7 0’ s ∙ C O L L E C T I O N

VINTAGE ∙ BUT ∙ MODERN ∙ SHELL ∙ JEWELRY

(Please read my story and the story about this authentic never owned or worn 70s necklace further down below in this section.)

T O ∙ O W N ∙ A N D ∙ A D O R N

O R ∙ T O ∙ G I F T

Don't settle for a generic piece of jewelry that anyone can buy. Give a gift that's truly special and unique, just like the person you're giving it to. Order your One-of-a-Kind Puka Shell Necklace today!

H O W ∙ T O ∙ O R D E R

CUSTOMIZE NECKLACE LENGTH OPTION: You can have the necklace shortened or lengthened to your desired length, by my adding or reducing the necklace shells: Message me with your preferred NECKLACE LENGTH and I’ll make a Private Listing, Custom Order for you.

O T H E R ∙ I N F O R M A T I O N

• Materials: Hawaiian Puka Shells

• Necklace length: 18”

• Number of Puka Shells: 106

• Puka Shell Color: White, Off-White colors and hues with many having a ‘pearlized sheen’

• Special Design Feature: Strung back-to-back to emphasize the unique nature created ‘Pearlized Sheen’ of many of the pukas

• Approximate Shell Size: Graduated 10.318mm to 9.525mm to 8.731mm

• Necklace Weight: About 2.5 oz.

• CLASP: Silver Finish Barrel Clasp

• OTHER CLASP OPTIONS: (Sterling Silver Hook & Eye Clasp- $3; OR Sterling Silver 13mm Lobster Claw Clasp-$12). Message me if you want the clasp changed and I’ll change the listing so you can purchase it with the Clasp you want.

• Style: Boho & Hippie

• Condition: NEW Never owned or worn

• All items are nicely packaged ready to gift in gift boxes.

T U R N ∙ A R O U N D ∙ T I M E

• This item is ready to ship in 1 – 2 business days via USPS Ground Advantage Mail. USPS Ground Advantage Mail from Hawaii to the U.S. Mainland typically takes 3 – 6 business days.

T H I S ∙ V I N T A G E ∙ N E C K L A C E’ S ∙ S T O R Y

– N E W – N E V E R ∙ O W N E D ∙ O R ∙ W O R N

As one of the major ‘Hawaii Movers & Shakers’ of the 70s worldwide Puka Shell craze, as Puka Jewelry Creations I sold thousands of puka necklaces from 1974 through 1976 with my Waikiki retail shop and wholesale to Hawaii and U.S. mainland retail stores. (It’s possible I’m the only one of those 70s ‘Hawaii Movers & Shakers’ still alive!)

However, in 1976 the Philippines flooded the market with thousands of cheap, so called, puka shell necklaces. Though some of the necklaces were made of puka shells harvested from islands in the Philippines, most were unauthentic ’manufactured’ necklaces made by collecting thousands living cone shell mollusks; then killing the animal in the shell; then cutting off the very top of the cone shell (the part of the cone shell that would naturally become a puka shell after the animal dies and the shell tumbles in the ocean over many decades), then polishing the edges to give the cut shell the appearance of an ocean polished puka shell. Unfortunately, the people who were buying puka shell necklaces at that time were ignorant of those facts, having no idea what they were actually buying.

Due to the flooding of the market with those cheap imported necklaces in 1976 I closed my business, and before it was offered for sale, my VINTAGE 70’s pukas that were used to create this necklace along with my other shell jewelry creations at the time WERE STORED IN RESERVE.

Then, 47 years later in 2023 I became aware of the new popularity of Hawaiian Puka Shell Necklaces again. So, I made that reserve available to the public, so they too can enjoy my unique vintage ‘Puka Jewelry Creations’ along with my other vintage ‘Ocean Jewels Hawaii’ creations.

This authentic Hawaiian handcrafted necklace was made with Pukas collected on the Waianae Coast, Oahu, Hawaii in 1976 as were all the other necklaces listed in this shop, and has been stored in reserve, untouched and unseen, until now. This makes it a unique piece of vintage jewelry, a timeless beauty that has never been owned or worn. NOTE: Along with the hundreds of necklaces I stored in reserve and are now offering in my eBay shop, were an assortment of thousands of unstrung pukas, that enables me to also make custom necklaces to your design requirements with vintage 70s pukas.

T O ∙ O W N ∙ A N D ∙ A D O R N

O R ∙ T O ∙ G I F T

This necklace is not only a stunning piece of tropical jewelry but also an excellent Hawaiian souvenir that will remind you of your time in paradise. It makes an ideal gift for your surfer son, cool boyfriend, or even your daughter who loves the beach.

Give this necklace to your loved one as a unique and thoughtful gift, perfect for any occasion - whether it's a cute daughter gift, a grandson's graduation, or a 1970s Valentine’s Day gift. All items are nicely packaged in elegant gift boxes, making it easy to gift. Don't miss out on this rare find necklace that will bring a touch of the beach to your life!

Perfect to wear with anything, any season. A bold statement piece for all occasions. Vintage but modern shell jewelry. Very versatile and timeless piece that will last for years to come. Puka Shell Necklaces are making a comeback. This Hawaiian Puka Shell Necklace has the classic design we all loved from back in the day. Perfect to wear with anything. This beauty will dress up any outfit & would be a great addition to any jewelry collection. You can wear this piece in the day or dress it up at night. It will also make a great gift idea for a loved one or friend. Wear a piece of Hawaii wherever you go. Enjoy a little piece of the islands right from your own home.

This Puka Shell Necklace is perfect for a variety of occasions, including birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, Valentine’s Day, Easter, or Christmas. It's a great way to show mom, dad, sister, brother, son, daughter, wife, girlfriend, or any other loved one just how special they are to you. And because it's made from natural materials, you can feel good about giving a gift that’s made from nature’s creation and beauty.

Not only is this Vintage Puka Shell Necklace a great One-of-a-Kind piece of jewelry, it's also a work of art. This means that you or the person you give this necklace will have a piece of jewelry that is completely unique to you or them, just like you and they are.

T H E ∙ W O R D ∙ ‘P U K A’

The word "puka" means ‘hole’ in Hawaiian. Puka shells start out as Cone shells. After the Cone shell’s animal dies, the shell tumbles in the ocean and sand until they become natural little disks with holes in the center – natural ocean jewels. Puka shells are found here on the beaches and chosen because of a naturally created hole in the center, usually caused by the top of the shell being broken off after many decades of tumbling in the ocean and crashing in the surf resulting in the opening of the center of the shell. Then tumbling in the surf and sand gently smoothing all the rough edges. Hawaii’s Marine Biologists state, except for the very small ‘baby’ pukas that can take a decade or more to form, it often takes 50 to 100 years, or longer for some, to form the final puka shell found on Hawaii’s beaches. Each puka shell is so special and unique, no two are alike, and each hold so much ocean history. They have natural grooves and divots as well as worn areas because they are a natural, not a manufactured material. Owning a Puka Shell Necklace is owning a unique piece of the ocean’s history.

I have always loved the natural beauty of the colors and patterns of shells and the uniqueness of each shell. I consider them ‘the jewels of the ocean’. I wanted to share the beauty of what nature and the ocean created with others by creating beautiful shell pendants, earrings, necklaces, leis, and bracelets to emphasize the colors and patterns of these ocean jewels.

The appeal and beauty of shells inspired ancient Hawaiians to adorn themselves with these natural jewels of the ocean. Now, ‘Ocean Jewels’ Hawaii makes it possible for you to have and own the timeless beauty of Puka Shells.

You are more than a customer. We are Ohana (a family). Your happiness and satisfaction are very important to me. If you've any questions do not hesitate to contact me. It's my pleasure to help you. ❤️

BUYER’S CAUTION: ATTENTION Puka Necklace Buyers

Based on my search results for ‘Puka Shell’ Necklaces, I discovered that many of the ‘puka’ necklaces listed that state they are a ‘puka’ necklace containing ‘puka’ shells are NOT Puka Shells! Though most of those necklaces are beautiful shell necklaces, they are NOT puka shell necklaces.

Puka shells are distinct from any other kind of shell or beach shell remnant and are found primarily in the Hawaiian Islands, and only at a very limited few other beaches around the world, and that is why they have such high value.

A’ PUKA SHELL’ is created by nature from a particular species of mollusk shell (the Cone Shell) after the animal inside the shell has died-- and is not manufactured by man. The ‘puka’ shell is created after decades of tumbling in the surf and sand for that Cone Shell mollusk to be worn down to the shell’s top remnant called the ‘puka’ shell. (See my description of ‘the definition of the Hawaiian word ‘Puka’.)

Puka shells are disc shaped like a ‘contact lens’, but much thicker, with the outside of the shell curved outward (convex) and inside of the shell curved inward (concaved). The larger the puka shell size the thicker the shell. Some puka shells have irregular shapes that are not as round-disc shaped but have the same convex and concaved sides.

If you want to know if what you’re looking at in a listing is actually made of genuine ‘puka’ shells, those shells should look like the shells in this necklace. Have a typical convex and concave disc shape and thickness, and in addition to white, can come in a variety of colors, hues and patterns, in sizes from 2mm to over 30mm. Necklaces made of small puka shells will still look the same as large puka shells, but just a smaller version. BUYER BEWARE!

Mahalo nui loa (Thank you very much) for checking out my eBay shop.