Pair of teardrop-shaped earrings with shell designs on a black background
Pair of earrings with shell designs on a light background
Woman wearing earrings and a necklace indoors
Teardrop-shaped earrings with shell designs on a white background
Pair of teardrop-shaped earrings with shell designs on a black background
Pair of earrings with shell designs on a light background
Woman wearing earrings and a necklace indoors
Teardrop-shaped earrings with shell designs on a white background

Scallop and Snail Mother of Pearl Scrimshaw Earrings

SOLD OUT

Luminous drops hand-engraved with delicate shell forms, each line etched and inked to reveal the quiet detail of the shore.



THE MEANING BEHIND Scimshaw

“Revisiting the bygone art of scrimshaw, hand-engraving and inking illustrations into natural materials, this collection pays homage to a craft rooted in maritime history.” ~ Hannah
VIEW COLLECTION

Mother of pearl scrimshaw earrings.

Solid 14k yellow gold bails and ear wires, with India ink illustrations.

Each earring weighs approx. 3.79 grams and measures 32.65mm from the top of the ear wire to the bottom of the drop. The drop itself measures 22.9mm from top to bottom, and is 15.15mm at its widest point.

All metal has a matte finish.

Scrimshaw, the technique of hand-engraving + inking illustrations into shells, gemstones and other materials, dates back to whalers of the late 18th century; scrimshanders of yore created their hand-etched pieces to pass the time at night aboard their ships. Each illustration in the Scrimshaw collection is freehand and hand-carved by Hannah.

Mother of pearl is the iridescent nacre that lines the inner shell of certain mollusks, in this case the Pinctada maxima pearl oyster. Like all pearls, those from Pinctada maxima form when an irritant becomes trapped within the mollusk, prompting it to secrete layers of nacre that gradually build a pearl. This same nacre coats the interior of the shell, giving mother of pearl its luminous, layered beauty. Before the advent of plastics, it was widely used for buttons; today, it remains beloved in fine jewelry for its soft iridescence, ranging from silvery gray to luminous white.
Origins: Indian and western Pacific Oceans
MOHs Hardness: 2.5
Care: To clean your mother of pearl jewelry, use warm water and mild soap. When wearing your mother of pearl jewelry, avoid exposure to chemicals, oils, acids, cosmetics, and the like, as they can discolor or ruin the texture of your piece. To clean, use a damp cloth to gently clean the metal but do not clean the ink. Avoid excessive touching and do not get wet. Do not use an ultrasonic or steam cleaner.

PAYING IN INSTALLMENTS
We have partnered with several independent financing companies to provide you with more flexibility and options.
At check out, select either ‘Shop Pay Installments’, ‘Klarna‘, or ‘Afterpay‘ as your payment method to go through the application process. If your application is approved, these companies will allow you to pay in interest-free installments. To learn more about their terms and conditions, please visit their respective websites.
Once you check out with one of these independent financing companies, we will process your order as normal and send the jewelry you ordered when ready. You will continue to work directly with your financing company to make your installment payments. Please note these financing companies are separate from Hannah Blount Jewelry. As a result, we are not responsible for their actions or services.
Note: Depending on your geographic location and total amount due at check-out, only some of these independent financing companies may offer financing services to you.

THE GEMSTONE

Mother of Pearl (scrimshaw)

protection, prosperity, intuition
anniversary: 1st

Illustration by Abi Kramer

THE ANATOMY OF SCRIMSHAW

Scrimshaw is the art of hand-engraving and inking illustrations into shells, turquoise, gemstones, and other natural materials. Each design is meticulously hand-drawn with a sharp scribe, scratched into the surface before ink is applied and the piece is polished- leaving pigment only within the etched lines. Layer by layer, hour by hour, the illustration builds depth and detail, transforming a historic technique into wearable art.

Dating back to 18th-century whalers, scrimshanders of yore passed long nights at sea by carving into cast-offs from their catch, using soot from oil lamps as ink. The longing that inspired these salty sailors, as each night of their long voyage passed, evolved into beautiful art that captured the romance of their yearning.

Set in solid silver or gold, these pieces balance delicate illustrations with durable construction, resulting in truly one-of-a-kind jewelry. Some are framed like miniature works of art, while others are suspended from simple bails for a more effortless, wearable feel.

In this modern interpretation of scrimshaw, Hannah uses India ink to hand-scribe each illustration into turquoise, shell, and other such natural materials. Inspired by Nantucket, a place long associated with this historic technique, her freehand illustrations commemorate nautical scenes from the ocean: a contemporary, artistic perspective to fine jewelry.

Each design captures ocean-inspired imagery, from nautical scenes and sailors’ stories to marine life, transforming illustration into narrative. These pieces act as wearable talismans, connecting past and present through storytelling, memory, and a deep connection to the sea.

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