Fossilized Walrus Tusk and Silver Free Bird Necklace

Freedom can be represented in many ways. Some see it in a flag, a place, a type of work, or the power to make our own choices every day. Jenny Byrne, Zealandia's lead designer, saw freedom in the image of a bird escaping the confines of his cage. 'A bird in a cage seemed to me to be the antithesis of freedom,' she says, 'and a bird escaping his prison the pinnacle of joyous release.'

This free bird necklace is joyously represented in hand carved fossilized ivory details and an intricate sterling silver setting. It is the type of pendant that starts conversations and that reminds the wearer daily of the importance of freedom in our lives. Zealandia jewelry is designed to tell a story, and this piece in particular tells a story of triumph!

Our hand carved free bird is made from fossilized walrus ivory, a rich and natural material that is some 500 to 3,000 years old. The fossilized ivory has lain buried underground for much of its long life where minerals color it warm caramel to cocoa colors. After erosion and the tides free the ivory from the earth, Native peoples gather it for carving, sale, or trade. Fossilized walrus ivory is valued the world over for the unique earthy quality it lends to art works and to fine jewelry pieces such as this carved ivory pendant.