This sterling silver, 14kt gold fill, and fossilized ivory honey bee is an eye catching accessory to any outfit and can be worn either as a pin or as a necklace pendant.
Zealandia jewelry is always inspired by nature and its inherent beauty. We find natural subjects create naturally gorgeous jewelry, and this bee pin or pendant is a perfect example of nature translating effortlessly into wearable art. Each detail in each piece of our silver bee jewelry is considered for its impact on the whole. This honey bee pin was designed as a statement piece with minimal embellishments and clean, classic lines.
The pin's soft colors are a combination of rich mixed metal sterling silver and 14k gold fill accents combined with earthy fossilized ivory. The ivory is hatched and then inked to give the honey bee his tell tale stripes, and its coloring will vary from piece to piece. The wings are also etched with simple and almost graphic veining, drawing the eye.
The honey bee's body is carved from fossilized walrus ivory, which is some 500 to 3,000 years old. Its coloring is the result of centuries buried underground where minerals stain it the cream to deep cocoa shades we see today. Native peoples gather the fossilized walrus ivory for carving, sale, and trade. It is an important part of their indigenous economy and a prized addition to fine jewelry pieces such as this ivory pin.
The honey bee's welfare is now threatened and his future uncertain. Declining honey bee populations in recent years have all of us concerned. It is our hope that our silver bee jewelry will not only provide endless days of beauty for the wearer but also raise awareness for the honey bee's plight and perhaps inspire conservation efforts. Our jewelry honors the bee for the irreplaceable role he plays life as we know it.