For too long, shell jewelry meant one thing and one thing only: puka shell necklaces (and occasionally, anklets). These surfer staples were must-haves in any early aughts summer wardrobe. Warm weather meant the smell of sunscreen, wavy hair doused with lemon juice, and some kind of flip-flop—worn alongside an anklet crafted from rough shell pieces. But over the last few years, shell jewelry has seen a kind of renaissance—and puka shells are no longer the only thing on offer. These days, we can adorn ourselves with pearly conches, painted cowrie shells, pink scallops, and everything in between.
Shell jewelry began making its comeback in February 2017, when Prada debuted several shell pieces at its Fall 2017/Winter 2018 runway show. Nearly a year later, shell jewelry started trickling into retailers—just in time for spring and summer 2018. Before we knew it, our Instagram feeds were filled with imagery of bright, minimalist shell pieces. The trend proved so popular that it returned for an encore in 2019—and then another one in 2020. And with each passing year, the shell jewelry trend grew a little kitschier, a little campier, and a lot more colorful.
These days, the shell jewelry landscape is vast, varied, and utterly charming. Pearl necklaces are punctuated by cowrie shells that have been dip-dyed pink and orange. Barrettes are lined with scallop shells that are crafted from gold and brass. Hoop earrings are covered in puka shells that have been smoothed out to create dainty, round beads. Options abound, making it easy for each of us to find a piece of shell jewelry that precisely fits our aesthetic.
And of course, more classic iterations of the trend persist. So if you’re looking to relieve your glory days in a seriously surfer-chic puka shell necklace, the zeitgeist has your back.
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1. Shell Drop Statement Earrings
shop the earrings – $14.99 from J.Crew Factory
2. Eliou Paxi Necklace
shop the necklace – $128 from Shopbop
3. Lelet NY Linear Pearl and Shell Barrette
shop the barrette – $78 from Shopbop
4. Natural Pearl Shell Hoop Earrings
shop the earrings – $9.99 from Zara
5. Venessa Arizaga Moonlight Beach Bracelet
shop the bracelet – $37.50 from Shopbop
6. Isabel Marant Gold-Tone Shell Earrings
shop the earrings – $42 from Net-a-Porter
7. Eliou Trento Anklet Necklace
shop the anklet/necklace – $150.50 from Shopbop
8. Jennifer Behr Babette Barrette
shop the barrette – $64 from Shopbop
9. Maison Irem Shelly Terracotta Tiger Earrings
shop the earrings – $115 from Shopbop
10. Beaded Shell Bracelet Set
shop the bracelet set – $7 from J.Crew Factory
11. Mallarino Ceramic Charm Necklace
shop the necklace – $82.50 from Shopbop
12. Venessa Arizaga Moonlight Beach Earrings
shop the earrings – $28.50 from Shopbop
13. Pendant Necklace
shop the necklace – $4.99 from H&M
14. Scallop Pearl Hair Pins
shop the pins – $38 from Free People
15. Isabel Marant New Amer Hoops
shop the earrings – $135 from Shopbop
16. Eliou Crete Necklace
shop the necklace – $168 from Shopbop
17. Oscar de la Renta Scalloped Earrings
shop the earrings – $224 from Farfetch
18. Sardinia Beaded Necklace
shop the necklace – $32 from Free People
19. Maison Irem Shelly Orange Dot Earrings
shop the earrings – $115 from Shopbop
20. Tohum Mega Gold-Plated Necklace
shop the necklace – $176 from Net-a-Porter
21. Cowrie Shell Beaded Hoop Earrings
shop the earrings – $9.99 from Urban Outfitters
22. Barnett Shell-Embellished Headband
shop the headband – $48 from Anthropologie
23. Venessa Arizaga Moonlight Beach Earrings
shop the earrings – $95 from Shopbop
24. Eliou Anzio Bracelet
shop the bracelet – $101.50 from Shopbop
25. Painted Cowrie Shell Huggie Mini Hoop Earrings
shop the earrings – $11.99 from Madewell
26. Eliou Rivoli Sunglasses Chain
shop the sunglasses chain – $126 from Shopbop
27. Mercedes Salazar Tropic Earrings
shop the earrings – $162 from Farfetch
28. Pascale Monvoisin Cauri Necklace
shop the necklace – $420 from Net-a-Porter
29. Luiny Amor Shell Drop Earrings
shop the earrings – $59.95 from Anthropologie
30. Puka Shell Beaded Necklace
shop the necklace – $14.99 from Madewell
31. Madewell Imitation Pearl and Clam Shell Earrings
shop the earrings – $28 from Shopbop
32. Maison Irem Rainbow Macrame Bracelet
shop the bracelet – $85 from Shopbop
33. Venessa Arizaga Moonlight Shell Necklace
shop the necklace – $61 from Farfetch
34. Puka Shell Hoop Earrings
shop the earrings – $19.99 from Madewell
35. Aurelie Bidermann Panama Enamel Necklace
shop the necklace – $242.40 from Net-a-Porter
36. Sweetest Shell Headband
shop the headband – $19.95 from Free People
37. Iridescent Shell Mismatch Drop Earrings
shop the earrings – $18 from Urban Outfitters
38. Anni Lu Wave Chaser Bracelet Set
shop the bracelet set – $196 from Farfetch
39. Isabel Marant Gold-Tone and Shell Choker
shop the necklace – $138 from Net-a-Porter
40. Venessa Arizaga Summer Shells Earrings
shop the earrings – $33 from Shopbop
41. Beachfind Necklace Set
shop the necklace set – $24.99 from Madewell
42. Venessa Arizaga Palm Tree Charm Hoop Earrings
shop the earrings – $99.99 from Urban Outfitters
43. Cowrie Shell Rainbow Beaded Necklace
shop the necklace – $16 from Urban Outfitters
44. Madewell x Warm Shell Drop Earrings
shop the earrings – $19.99 from Madewell
45. Venessa Arizaga Summer Shells Pearl Bracelet
shop the bracelet – $39 from Farfetch
46. Beaded Shell Statement Earrings
shop the earrings – $14.50 from J.Crew Factory
47. Cowrie Shell Beaded Short Necklace
shop the necklace – $9.99 from Urban Outfitters
48. Eliou Costa Earrings
shop the earrings – $84 from Shopbop
49. Venessa Arizaga Rainbow Shell Bracelet
shop the bracelet – $38.50 from Shopbop
50. Mother of Pearl Beaded Earrings
shop the earrings – $19.99 from Madewell
51. Amber Sceats Shell Bobby Pin
shop the barrette – $58 from Anthropologie
52. Venessa Arizaga Rainbow Stripe Shell Earrings
shop the earrings – $55 from Shopbop
53. Eliou Amalfi Necklace
shop the necklace – $94.50 from Shopbop
54. Calla Cowrie Shell Post Earrings
shop the earrings – $18 from Urban Outfitters
55. Venessa Arizaga Fantasea Bracelet
shop the bracelet – $55 from Shopbop
56. Eliou Pearth Earrings
shop the earrings – $160 from Shopbop
67. Venessa Arizaga Summer Shells Pearl Necklace
