Wampum Shell Beaded Necklace

• 16‑inch Wampum shell beaded necklace  
• Natural quahog shell — vibrant purple + white patterns  
• 7 mm polished beads
• Sterling silver lobster clasp — made in the USA  
• High‑contrast, traditional Wampum coloration

This 16‑inch necklace is made from natural Wampum shell beads carved from the deep purple inner lining of the quahog shell, traditionally gathered by Northeastern tribes such as the Wampanoag, Narragansett, Pequot, and Lenape. The beads measure approximately 7 mm, polished smooth to show their rich purple and white banding — the most prized coloration. Finished with a sterling silver lobster clasp and findings, this piece is clean, wearable, and beautifully crafted in the USA. The color saturation and patterning are especially strong, giving the necklace a bold yet traditional look.

Wampum carries the medicine of memory, honor, and sacred exchange, once carved into beads and belts that recorded stories, treaties, and accomplishments. The deep purple comes from quahogs that lived in colder, deeper waters, where the shell grows richer and more powerful. In Lifted work, Wampum is a stone of ancestral connection, truth, and meaningful gifting, a reminder that beauty can also be history. This necklace feels like a strand of living tradition — vibrant, intentional, and full of spirit — the kind of piece that honors the past while elevating the present moment.