The Small But Mighty Cowrie Shell

Cowrie shells have cultural, economic and ornamental significance in a number of cultures across the world. In West Africa or specifically Nigeria where my people are from the species most commonly found are the Monetaria moneta, common name the money cowrie, which is a species of small sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cypraeidae, the cowries.

This species is called "money cowrie" because the shells were historically widely used in West Africa and many Pacific and Indian Ocean countries as shell money before coinage was in common usage.

My interest in these shells was piqued when I was searching for a way to remind myself of my culture and heritage in my day to day dressing. I came upon the cowrie shells which I had always seen on the beach as a child, crafted into an elegant chandelier earring at an Arts Market in Lagos on one of my trips back there. I decided I loved the look, and for my first portrait photo in a major publication for my business, I had on my pair of cowrie shell earrings.

Over the years, I expanded my collection of cowrie shell jewelry into necklaces, bracelets and other accessories. This is what inspired me to start this business - to share my culture and this small but significant way of reminding ourselves that we are surrounded by abundance if only we allow ourselves to see it.