Sea Urchin Spine Necklace | Handmade Gold Leaf Pendant with 18K Gold-Plated Chain | Coastal Jewellery Gift | Handmade Shell Necklace

A striking handmade necklace created from a genuine natural sea-urchin spine, individually finished with liquid gold leaf at the top and bottom and suspended from a delicate 45.72 cm / 18-inch, 18K gold-plated chain.

Available in three pendant sizes, each necklace celebrates the extraordinary colours and markings created by nature. Individual spines may be soft ivory, cream, sand, taupe, caramel, warm brown, muted plum or richly banded dark brown.

No two spines will ever have exactly the same colour, pattern, shape or surface texture, making every finished necklace completely unique.

CHOOSE YOUR PENDANT SIZE

• Small: approximately 5 cm
• Medium: approximately 6–8 cm
• Large: approximately 10–11 cm

All three pendant sizes are supplied on the same 45.72 cm / 18-inch, 18K gold-plated chain.

Measurements are approximate because these are natural pieces. The photographs show representative examples of the colours and markings available; the necklace you receive will have its own individual character.

Your chosen variant determines the pendant size rather than its exact colour or pattern. If you have a strong colour preference, please contact me before ordering and I will be happy to show you what is currently available.

ABOUT THE SEA-URCHIN SPINE

These distinctive natural pieces are the thick, blunt spines of sea urchins commonly known as slate-pencil or pencil urchins.

In beachcombing, jewellery and craft communities, they may also be described as:

• Pencil-urchin spines
• Sea-urchin wands
• Slate-pencil shells

Unlike the fine, needle-like spines associated with many common sea urchins, pencil urchins develop strong, heavy spines with rounded or subtly angular sides.

Their robust form is suited to life among rocky and coral crevices exposed to powerful waves and tides. The blunt spines help the sea urchin secure and protect itself within the reef environment.

The familiar “pencil urchin” name comes from the spines’ resemblance to the thick pencils once used for writing on school slates. Their dense, chalk-like texture is also said to have allowed them to be used for marking writing slates.

Their smooth texture, durability and naturally varied banded patterns have made the spines popular for decorative objects, wind chimes, tribal-inspired necklaces and wire-wrapped pendants.

The exact species cannot be guaranteed from an individual loose spine. However, spines of this general form are commonly associated with pencil-urchin species such as Heterocentrotus mamillatus and Phyllacanthus imperialis.

HANDMADE IN SURREY

Each natural spine is carefully selected and individually transformed by me in my Surrey studio.

Liquid gold leaf is applied by hand to both ends before a small screw-eye attachment and connecting ring are added at the top. The finished pendant is then paired with a delicate 18K gold-plated chain.

Because every spine is naturally different and each gold-leaf finish is applied individually, subtle variations and small organic irregularities are part of the necklace’s character rather than imperfections.

SIZE AND MATERIALS

• Sold as one complete necklace
• Choice of Small, Medium or Large pendant
• Small pendant: approximately 5 cm
• Medium pendant: approximately 6–8 cm
• Large pendant: approximately 10–11 cm
• Chain length: 45.72 cm / 18 inches for every pendant size
• Genuine natural sea-urchin spine
• Hand-applied liquid gold leaf at both ends
• 18K gold-plated chain
• Gold-tone jewellery fittings
• Small screw-eye attachment and connecting ring
• Handmade in Surrey, England
• Reusable natural woven drawstring gift pouch included
• Kraft gift tag included
• Thank-you card included

NATURAL VARIATION

Every sea-urchin spine is created by nature and will vary in colour, markings, shape, width and texture.

The images showing multiple pendants are representative examples intended to demonstrate the possible natural variations and three available size groups. They do not represent an exact selection of pendants currently available.

These natural differences ensure that no two finished necklaces will ever be completely identical.

GIFT PRESENTATION

Your necklace will arrive beautifully presented in a reusable natural woven drawstring gift pouch.

A kraft gift tag and thank-you card are also included, making the necklace ready to give for a birthday, Christmas, anniversary or another special occasion.

Please note that the Emma Wade ART business card shown in some presentation photographs is not included.

JEWELLERY CARE

Sea-urchin spines are strong natural structures, but they should still be treated with care. Avoid dropping, bending or knocking the pendant against hard surfaces.

To help preserve the 18K gold-plated chain and hand-applied gold-leaf finish, avoid contact with water, perfume, hairspray, creams and household chemicals.

Remove the necklace before showering, swimming, exercising or sleeping. Store it carefully in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and preferably separated from other jewellery.

Small jewellery components may present a choking hazard. Not intended for young children.

DISPATCH AND DELIVERY:

UK AND THE CHANNEL ISLANDS

• Royal Mail Tracked 48 – delivery is normally expected within 2–3 business days following dispatch
• Royal Mail Tracked 24 – delivery is normally expected within 1–2 business days following dispatch

These are Royal Mail delivery aims rather than guaranteed delivery dates.

INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY

International delivery times vary according to the destination and local postal or customs services. Please refer to the estimated delivery window shown at checkout and allow additional time during particularly busy periods.

DELIVERY DELAYS

Occasionally, postal delays may occur due to circumstances beyond my control, including adverse weather, seasonal demand, customs processing or other disruption affecting Royal Mail and its international delivery partners.

If you need your order by a particular date, please send me a message before purchasing. I will always do my best to help and can advise whether faster dispatch, Royal Mail Special Delivery or an alternative courier service may be available.