A classic shell, cowries are known for their vibrant colors and glossy finish. Hawaiʻi is home to many endemic cowrie species, from common to extremely rare, and from small to large.
From honey and money cowries to checkered and reticulated, each type carries its own markings. Ask for a specific cowrie in a custom order, or explore cowrie shell jewelry.
Explore cowrie shell types
Granulated
Snakehead
Honey
Alison’s
Tumbled Honey (Purple)
Tumbled Honey (Pink)
Isabella
Money
Reticulated
Checkered
Gaskoin’s
Porous
Groove-Toothed
Rare finds
Tiger
Leviathan
Humpback
How to identify a cowrie shell
Cowries are smooth and rounded, with a glassy, porcelain-like surface. Turn one over and you will see a narrow opening lined with small teeth, the shell’s “lips.” Their markings are what set each type apart, from the warm gold of a honey cowrie to the fine net-like pattern of a reticulated cowrie.
Where are cowrie shells found?
Cowries live on Hawaiʻi’s reefs, often sheltering beneath rocks and ledges. I find them while freediving and beachcombing around Oʻahu. Some wash in softened by the surf, like the tumbled honey cowries that fade to gentle shades of purple and pink.
Cowrie shell jewelry
Whole cowries make a classic single charm, and half cowries show off the toothed opening in earrings and necklaces. Each piece is finished in 14k gold-filled, with select pieces and custom orders in sterling silver.
Collected with care: Only empty shells are kept. Occupied shells go carefully back to their habitat, and any shells or beach treasures not used are returned too. Every cowrie is handpicked on Oʻahu. Read more about ethical shelling in the Hawaiian Shell Guide.
Cowrie shell questions
Are cowrie shells rare in Hawaiʻi?
Some cowrie species, like the honey cowrie, are found fairly often, while others are a rare and special find. Size, color and condition all play a part, and a large cowrie with an unworn, glossy surface is always a treasure.
What is a half cowrie?
A half cowrie is the naturally broken underside of the shell: the toothed opening, without the rounded top. It sits flatter against the skin than a whole shell, which makes it lovely for earrings and necklaces.
Can I choose a specific cowrie shell for a custom piece?
Yes. Choose a honey, checkered or naturally tumbled pink cowrie in your custom order, or email me for help choosing. Availability depends on what I have found.
