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Brackish Oyster archive
Description
These handcrafted brackish oysters are a true labor of love, each one a little bit different, just like the real thing. The process is the key to their charm. Original brackish oyster charms, earrings, ect.. are only available here on my website during prime oyster season (from November to February)
Layer by salty sweet layer each brackish oyster is handcrafted from sterling silver or solid gold. The oyster is more than just a shell. For some the brackish oyster is a way of life, for others a tradition to gather around when the weather cools. The mighty oyster has always been here, sustaining and supporting the ecosystem and communities of the Chesapeake. I feel a deeply rooted connection to this design, and I am so glad you do too!
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The Brackish Oysters are comprised of 6 hand sawn layers of sterling silver or solid gold (sometimes a little of each!) each layer is sawn to fit within the layer below, the individual layer is hammered on an anvil, doming and some slightly flared then once it's been shaped the upper layer is soldered to the lower. This is repeated 6 times! Each layer is cut individually to fit the shape of the previous
Mimicking the composition of an Oyster formed by Chesapeake current. Slow and methodical- This process takes around 4 hours of careful hands on fabrication per oyster.
The final step in the process is an 8 hour barrel tumble, in a slurry of Chesapeake Bay sand.
These handcrafted brackish oyster charms are a true labor of love, each one a little bit different, just like the real thing. The process is the key to their charm. Original brackish oyster charms are only available here on my website from November to February.
Some photos are taken on top of images from my grandfather in law- Robert de Gast's book "Oystermen of the Chesapeake". Robert's collection of work depicting the Eastern shore has been preserved by the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. Learn more about Robert, and his work chronicling the Chesapeake during the heyday of our oyster industry at
The Brackish Oysters are comprised of 6 hand sawn layers of sterling silver or solid gold (sometimes a little of each!)
Each layer is sawn to fit within the layer below, the individual layer is hammered on an anvil, doming and some slightly flared. Then once it's been shaped the upper layer is soldered to the lower. This is repeated 6 times! Each layer is cut individually to fit the shape of the previous
Mimicking the composition of an Oyster formed by Chesapeake current.
Slow and methodical- This process takes many hours of careful hands on fabrication per oyster.
The final step in the process is an 8 hour barrel tumble, in a slurry of Chesapeake Bay sand.
What your saying
So much care goes into crafting each Brackish Oyster Charm. During oyster season, I try to keep a Ready to Ship stock on hand of silver oyster charms until it sells out. If you are able to check out when stock is depleted, your oyster will be made to order just for you. You will see made to order in the title or description if this is the case.
Mixed Metal and Solid Gold oysters are always made to order.
Because each piece is meticulously handcrafted, please allow up to 20 business days for production time.
I do my best to replenish Ready to Ship stock regularly, but quantity and timing are not guaranteed. Thank you for your patience and support of handcrafted jewelry.
Once my husband, Camrin, ate a bad oyster and he was green at the gills for days. It almost turned him off oysters altogether! I wouldn't wish a bad oyster on anyone.
While every oyster I make is a little different, just like the real thing, they're all held to the same high standard of craftsmanship and made the exact same way each time. The variations are subtle but meant to feel organic, not unpredictable.
That said, if your oyster arrives and its appearance truly makes you feel ill, you're welcome to exchange it within 7 days of delivery. Just contact me and send it back unworn, in its original packaging, and I'll swap it for another! Subject to availability, so if brackish oysters are out of stock then it will be remade to order.
I haven't had a bad oyster make it out the door yet, but there's a first time for everything.
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