#wampum shell

[vividblues]

Some recent beachtreasures mixed with some fall foliage

**do NOT remove my work to post elsewhere reblogs only***

[vividblues]

Surf tumbled Quartz crystal pebbles found along the NJ shore paired with selenite & a wampum shell dish

(Coated in Vaseline to show clarity)

(Fun fact:totally clear quarts pebbles are called #capemaydiamonds & it takes over 3,000 years for a crystal point to tumble smooth. They came from the remains of prehistoric glaciers that run down the Delaware river.

From the American seaglass association website “These smoothly tumbled, translucent gems were first discovered centuries ago by the Kechemeche, a Native American tribe who believed the stones possessed supernatural powers. The tribe is even known to have traded larger, flawless specimens with colonial settlers during the seventeenth century. Fast forwarding to the mid-twentieth century, the remnants became especially desirable to local jewelers who found that when polished, the stones resemble sparkling diamonds to the untrained eye. Soon thereafter, nearby shops began to market bracelets, rings, and earrings with the locally found wonders, and the creations quickly became coveted souvenirs for thousands of tourists who flock to Cape May each summer. However, many would argue that even more impressive than the uncanny resemblance of the polished stones to authentic diamonds is the mysterious history of the gems.”