Fossilized Walrus Tusk Japanese Tsuba Motif Necklace

A study in classic Asian design inspiration, this motif necklace wears like a beautiful talisman. It takes its inspiration from a traditional Japanese tsuba, or sword hand guard. These hand guards vary greatly from simple functional pieces to highly decorated sword mountings. They may be circular or more oblong, and all have a central opening for the blade to pass through.

Our designers have decorated this central opening with flowers made from 14k gold fill and sterling silver. The flowers form a natural focal point in this motif necklace and speak to the love of beauty that permeates Japanese culture. The hemispheres that represent the actual guard are created in juxtaposing patterned sterling silver and fossilized ivory. The right hemisphere in fossilized walrus tusk ivory echoes the central flower motif with carved blooms of its own. Our Tsuba Necklace can be worn as a symbol of protection and strength.

Fossilized walrus tusk is an increasingly rare material that is some 500 to 3,000 years old. The walrus tusk has lain in the earth for centuries where minerals color it a range of warm hues from soft caramel to deep cocoa. It is an important cultural and economic resource for the Native peoples who gather it for carving, sale, and trade. The fossilized walrus tusk's earthen tones create an especially rich effect when paired with our 14kt gold fill accents.