NZ Paua Abalone Sterling Silver Dragonfly Necklace Large

This unique sterling silver dragonfly necklace features stunning New Zealand Paua. The paua wings have been bezel set with closed backs, and joined to the granulated body. This is the larger size of the dragonflies I make, and measures approximately 3” from lower wingtip to wingtip, with a body that measures 1 ½” in length. The sterling chain has a lobster claw closure and extension. The overall length including the dragonfly is 18 ½” without the extension.

I often vend at craft/art markets, and the most popular request I get is for dragonflies. For me, the obvious choice for the wings is paua because of the shifting iridescent tones of blue, green, pink and purple, which mimic real dragonfly wings. I carefully match and form two sets of realistically shaped wings, and bezel set them in silver. The body and head are individually forged silver granulation. I also make smaller dragonflies that you can see in separate listings.

As a tiny child running along New Zealand beaches, I became captivated with the Paua (cousin of Abalone) shell and its stunning iridescent swirls of blues, greens and pinks. Every surface of my bedroom that could hold a shell, held a shell. Now I collect them for jewelry.  It takes a lot of work to match, cut and shape each piece, but it’s a labor of love.