Tiger Claw Necklace

Tiger Claw Necklace
India, c. 1865

 In Nineteenth Century India, a tiger’s claws were considered to be powerful charms against evil. They were frequently used as amulets. Visitors to India, especially the British, found this custom charming and started to bring tiger claw amulets back to Britain as souvenirs. By the middle of the century, with a growing market, makers of tiger claw charms branched out into more elaborate pieces such as this one.

It was clearly made for the British market. The design is very similar to the shape and form of European jewelry. This particular necklace was exhibited at the Paris International Exhibition in 1867. Ten tiger claws of graded size have been set in engraved gold. The claws are linked by chains and the whole piece hangs from a gold snake. 

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Insect Necklace

Made of jasper, gold and agate, this woven necklace boasts a Milanese chain of hollow eliptical sections and three carved hard stone pendants. A gold frog, in relied, adorns the box clasp. 

The piece was made in Italy in the late Nineteenth Century by Giacinto Melillo who was known for his jewels made on ancient designs.

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Save your hair

Would you believe this bracelet is made of hair?

It's a Victorian snake coil bracelet with 14 karat yellow gold and garnets and a woven hair band, approximately 14" total length by 1/2" wide, snake head 2" long. For sale here.

 Hair jewelry was the height of the romanticism and sentiment that characterized the Victorian era.

 Watch chains and bracelets often show the most ingenious hair weaving techniques with more than one color of hair often used, as perhaps a chain given by three daughters to their father.

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Adder Bite Alchemy Gothic Snake Ring

Gigantic, venomous serpent spanning two fingers to sink its teeth into the third. Generally worn on the ring finger, with the snake biting the forefinger. This massive Alchemy Gothic pewter ring cannot be ignored! 3" across, 1 1/2" wide.

Buy it at Amazon

National Hairball Awareness Day - - Really?

The origin of this “holiday” is unknown. We suspect it was created by the manufacturer of a wonderful cat hair removal implement ... (hint: FURminator - we'd love a free sample to review.)

National Hairball Awareness Day is getting some coverage on the interwebs - the best being ModernCat's collaboration with jewelry designer Heidi Abrahamson to create an exclusive line of fine jewelry for men featuring cat hairballs.

These cufflinks and tie tack are the perfect accessories for men who feel that the cat hair which normally accumulates on their clothing is not sufficient:

I wish the hairballs produced by my three cats were this attractive. Generally, ours are longer, grayer, and coated with slime. Not jewelry material at all.

Cat Silhouette Artisan Glass Necklace

Buy it at the animal rescue site every purchase funds food and care for rescue animals.

Snowy Owl Necklace

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Beauty from the Past

Hair ornament, ca. 1904 Louis Comfort Tiffany (American, 1848–1933) Silver, enamel, black and pink opals, demantoid garnets Source: Louis Comfort Tiffany: Hair ornament (2002.620) | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Furever Jewelry

Pet Lover? Have Fur? Inspired by her fluffy, beautiful American Eskimo dog, artist Pam Vale has created a stylish jewelry collection celebrating that unique bond between us and out pets. Pam's new FUREVER jewelry is handmade plastic vials filled with your pets fur. Just purchase the item you desire, collect fur from your faithful friend and Pam does the rest.

Octopus jewelry

Like this beautiful bracelet, all of the octopus jewelry at the OctopusME! Store! has been made from REAL Sushi Grade Octopus and is SOLID Sterling silver with no Octopus remains in the jewelry. wow via Truemors

Dog Bone Earrings

Aren't these cute? Solid dog bone earrings In 14k yellow gold $696 from Esquivel & Fees

Earrings for dogs?

If I had a dog, which I don't, and if I were totally goofy, which I'm not, and if I were to get my dog's ears pierced, which I wouldn't, I would select these 1 carat total weight diamond stud earrings from Goldsmith Jewelry. On the other hand, just by blogging about these earrings I might win them and wear them myself. (via)

Robo-pet pins

The industrial quality of this canine only adds to its charm. And haven't you always wanted a cat that doesn't shed? Slightly robotic and mechanical, but completely alluring, artist Thomas Mann has created atypical accessories that allow dog and cat lovers to show their pet pride without being overly cutesy. A combination of sterling silver and brass accents, these pins combine sturdy craftsmanship, playful imagination and a true appreciation for our four-legged friends. Handmade in New Orleans. $136.00 at Uncommon Goods

Rubber Ducky Earrings

Rubber Ducky Earrings Rubber Duckies are not just for the bathtub or Ernie, oh no they are for your ear lobes too. This season bath toys are all the rage in accessories and these miniature plastic yellow duckies are the piece de resistance! (via)

Jewel Scarab Pendant

Jewel Scarab The most brilliant scarab, and the only jewel scarab, of the United States. $60 pendant, $20 sterling silver snake chain

Get ready for cicada season

17-Year Cicada (1 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 1/2-inch Tack Pin) Annual Cicada (1 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 1/2-inch Tack Pin) Inspired by the Cicada. Walnut body, brass or copper wire mesh wings, red or green eyes. Red-eyed cicada emerges in 17-year cycles; green-eyed cicada emerges annually.

Bird Foot Jewelry

Jewelry cast from birds' feet. Chickens and partridges: belts and pendants.