Nautiluses are mollusks which are often called living fossils because they haven't evolved in 500 million years. They live only in the Indo-Pacific oceans, deep down the slopes of coral reefs. They are scavengers eating anything they find including molts from lobsters, crabs and carrion.
These marine creatures are able to live at great depths (up to 800 meters or 2,600 feet below) because of their protective shells. The picture above shows a nautilus shell cut in half. Inside there are buoyancy related chambers called camerae arranged in a logarithmic spiral (a pattern widely seen in nature such as hurricanes and galaxies).
Their beautiful shells are highly sought after by shell collectors, as ornaments and for jewelry. There is now increasing concern for these creatures due to alarming over fishing. Peter D. Ward, a biologist from the University of Washington,said in this NY Times article, "A horrendous slaughter is going on out here. They are nearly wiped out." What compounds the problem is the slow growth rate - nautiluses take up to 15 years to reach sexual maturity and thus be reproductive. They are currently not protected.
Luckily for us, we can still appreciate nautiluses in jewelry in other ways. Rachel Murgatroyd created a beautiful wire wrapped nautilus inspired ring design and shared the instructions on this video.
The focal is a gemstone in a Bezellite setting available from suppliers such as Fire Mountain Gems. This type of easy gemstone setting requires bending the prongs into place with pliers. You could also try using the snap set variety (see link below).
Before You Go:
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips
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| Nautilus hemiphere (Image source) |
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| Nautilus pompilius recorded feeding during daytime at 703 m on red bass bait | (Picture source) |
Luckily for us, we can still appreciate nautiluses in jewelry in other ways. Rachel Murgatroyd created a beautiful wire wrapped nautilus inspired ring design and shared the instructions on this video.
The focal is a gemstone in a Bezellite setting available from suppliers such as Fire Mountain Gems. This type of easy gemstone setting requires bending the prongs into place with pliers. You could also try using the snap set variety (see link below).
Before You Go:
- How to Use Snap Set Findings and Make Snap Set Jewelry
- Too Precious to Wear : Red and Pink Coral May Soon be Trade Protected
- How to Make Sea Shell Necklaces
- Metal Clay Artistry - Gordon Uyehara (metal clay nautilus pendant)
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips
This is an neat wire ring. I definitely wasn't sure what it was going to look like when I saw the title of your post pull up on my mobile RSS reader.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to take a moment to let you know I loved today's post:)) Your
ReplyDeleteresearch is always so thoughtful and interesting:))
Thanks!!!
Well, I wasn't sure which picture to use to lead into the post. But I am glad you did open up the post in your reader to check out the ring, Whitney!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ann for your kind comment. It's always gratifying to know that readers do enjoy the extra research for some posts!
ReplyDeleteMadre mìa...que belleza....Hermoso trabajo!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize that the Nautilus were being over fished. This is good to know, though the news is sad. Hopefully governments will place them on the endangered list and ban further harvesting of these amazing creatures.
ReplyDeleteAs for myself I will refrain from purchasing their shell or items fabricated from their shell.
Just a note about the ring . . . it is gorgeous and pays tribute to a marvelous creature.
They are easy to catch and poor fishermen do need the extra income. So it is not only about protecting the creatures but helping the economy of communities in those places so they do not have to resort to fishing these creatures.
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