By Admin 
The man behind this study is a fervent lover of culture as he is interested in digging out the stories behind the fashion trends and accessory that have influenced generations. After hundreds of hours spent researching in historical archives, interviewing artisans, and studying the different movements in the world of style, they have gleaned together a comprehensive level of insight into the reasons why certain objects have been able to rise beyond the realm of decoration and extend into that of symbolism.
The combination of curiosity and precision in their approach make it clear that every bit of information regarding the puka shell necklace will not go unnoticed as they explore its nature in regards to its historic roots to how it affected modern society.
Introduction
The puka shell necklace is not just a piece of the necklace with a couple of shells stitched together simply; it is a symbol of a culture, an identification of the life that occurs in the ocean, and a track of the fashion changes that have been going on over the years. Although it enjoyed increase in popularity in 1970s and even later in late 1990s and early 2000s, the origin of the puka shell necklace goes back deep into Hawaiian history. Movement has taken this necklace that was once a handcrafted souvenir of the sea to a worldwide known accessory that has been worn by surfers, celebrities, and ordinary beach lovers.
Compared to fast fashion in the modern world, the puka shell necklace has a particular nostalgic and natural beauty of the sea, making it more than the people can relate to. It carries both natural beauty and history, thus it becomes more than jewelry, it is a part of culture. Be it because of its beauty, spiritual value, or its stylishness, the puka shell necklace remains a mind captivating piece even transcending borders of nations and generations.
What is particularly impressive is that it has come a long way: shells with their natural and untreated shapes created by the persistent movement of the sea level to exquisitely crafted necklaces that turned out to be a label of youthful freedom and seaside exploration. It has a story that crosses cultures and links fashion and nature and tells of the constant human tendency to bring snatches of the natural environment to be treasured as personal objects. But like any fashion, the puka shell necklace has its ups and downs so as a woman walks down the streets, you remember that being simple can really be pretty and beautiful.
The Origins of the Puka Shell Necklace
Puka is name derived by Hawaiians meaning hole. Puka shells are cone shell fragments of natural origin washed up on the Hawaiian beaches and their centers already eroded out by the waves and sand. The origin of these necklaces dates back long before they were ever sold in beachside shops with the Native Hawaiians who loved them not only because they are beautiful but also because of their relation to the ocean.
According to the Hawaiian culture, puka shell necklace were considered good omen especially to travelers and ocean goers. They were associated with safe navigation, but at the same time they were described as the symbolic and consistent rhythm of the change of tides. Those shells are usually white in colour, but with age, they may show slight shades of cream, beige or even faint pink, on the basis of the specific species and the amount of sun exposure they have been subjected to. These natural differences make up their lasting appeal.
Cultural Significance in Hawaiian Tradition
The culture around the puka shell necklace cannot be ignored in gaining a complete understanding of the origins of the necklace. The sea was treated as more than a food source in ancient Hawaiian culture however- it was a spiritual and cultural lifeline to the people. The shells being the creations of the ocean were regarded as the gifts of the sea goddess. They were not only a sign of the appreciation of the ocean but also a method to have a part of it wherever you were.
They were even applied in ritual trading. Similar to the way leis are presented nowadays to greet guests or to celebrate a moment or an occasion, puka shell necklaces may have been used to trade back then during special times. Others found the hole in the shell symbolic of life itself, the time concept, and the fact everything was linked in the circle of nature.
The 1970s Surf Culture Explosion
Although according to the sources, puka shell necklaces have been worn in Hawaii by Hawaiians since centuries, whereas in 1970s, they turned out to be a global fashion phenomenon. Everything was going on with the surf culture and especially in such locations as California, Australia and, of course, Hawaii. Movies, songs and lifestyle labels started featuring tanned surfers who wore such necklaces, making them a symbol of being on a beach.
Necklaces came to be associated with freedom, sun-kissed days and a freewheeling lifestyle. Individuals who had never stepped on a surfboard started putting them on as a method to associate them with the laid back, wild portrait of the surfer. The demand in this period hit the roof and artisans turned commercial producers were producing them by the hundreds–some made out of real puka shells, some of carved concoctions.
Hollywood and Celebrity Influence
The puka shell necklaces became the mainstays of pop culture in the decades which succeeded their original boom. These accessories were worn by celebrities like Tom Selleck on the show Magnum, P. I and, later on, by teen idols in teen magazines. In the late 1990s and early 2000s they underwent a second bout of popularity, with boy bands, television shows and movies shot along the coast sparking a resurgence.
The necklace lost its exclusive attributes to surfers only; hence, people wore it regularly to high schools, concerts, and other informal events. Although purists claimed that the mass produced varieties did not have a real sense of authenticity, the widespread nature made it look appealing to an entirely different generation.
Craftsmanship and Variations
The original puka shell necklace is not a plain series of perfectly round beads. The shells have a natural and organic shape acquired by the sea, which makes each item different. The genuine puka shells are a bit irregular in shape, have a natural hole through the middle and are frequently worn and soft. These are traits that differentiate them to the imitated products.
Artisans have the option of leaving the shells in their raw natural state or burnish them a bit to make them smoother to touch. Others are strung larger to smaller or smaller to larger in gradated sizes with the larger shells in the front and the smallest in the back, or are strung randomly, in a more organic fashion. In modern designs, puka shells can be mixed with wooden beads, gemstones or metal spacers to form hybrids in styles intended to antique but retaining a dose of modernity.
The Symbolism of the Puka Shell Today
The versions that are marketed at mass-level might not have equal cultural significance as the genesis ones, but the racial connotation of the puka shell necklace still holds firm to most users. To some it means a link with the sea, a memory with a special beach journey or a sign of love and friendship. To the ocean and surfing lovers, it has continued to act as a symbol of identity and reverence to sea.
Shells in general are invoked with protection, intuition and flow of life in the spiritual circles. The hole labeled with “puka” can be viewed as a symbol of openness to the experiences of life, and the ability to let the energy flow freely and without any blockades.
The Resurgence in Sustainable Fashion
Recently, there has been a resurgence in the accessorizing world with regaining interest in puka shell necklaces mainly because of the so-called green and more natural areas in materials. A world that is flooded with artificial products gives a very attractive alternative in the raw natural beauty of organic shells. Responsible gathering of shells has now become a responsibility of ethical jewelry brand companies so that their products would not have a negative effect on the marine ecology.
The sustainability strategy is already appealing to eco conscious consumers, in addition to being keen on the respecting the gifts of the ocean first and foremost as the Hawaiians would have done. Through this, genuine puka shell necklaces have been finding a way back into the discussion on sustainable fashion.
How to Identify Authentic Puka Shells
An authentic puka shell necklace is identified by viewing the texture, the shape as well as the hole of the shells. Proper puka shells are ones which have holes made out in the ocean, but are not machine drilled. They are commonly smoother due to years of rolling across the sand and can be different in size, as well as color.
It may be made of fake imitation or mass production which may include the perfectly symmetrical beads, artificial colors rather hard to believe, and uniform shapes that mirror less of the original shells. It is a common message that collectors and enthusiasts give the suggestion to buy Hawaiian made items or hawaiian art items that are sold by reputable Hawaiian artisans and trusted dealers where they can document the source.
Styling the Puka Shell Necklace
Currently, the ways of styling puka shell necklaces are endless. They go perfectly with the informal attire you would find at the beach- linen shirts, swimsuit, and sandals- but can equally be worn as a layering piece, with gold chains or other jewels to give it an update. Other decisions people make include chokers, and longer strands. Fashion thinkers also have been opting to use puka shells in festival looks, summer sports in town outfits, and even simple streetwear looks, which goes to show that not everything this necklace can be used to complete is, in fact, beachside.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are Puka shells all Hawaiian?
A: The purest puka shells can only be found in Hawaii but other places predominantly include the other tropical parts. Nevertheless, the Hawaiian puka shells have a history and quality of special value attached to them.
Q: Will puka shells work in the water?
A: Yes, then natural puka shells respond naturally to the element of water, however, exposures to salt water can have a slight effect over time on the stringing material.
Q: What is the procedure on cleaning a puka shell necklace?
A: Mild soap and lukewarm water should be used and no harsh chemicals kept out. Rub lightly with a soft brush, in case of stains, and leave to dry in air.
Q: Is it ill advised to purchase your seldom puka shell necklace?
A: Wearing puka shells was a gift in the old Hawaiian culture and not something you would take on yourself especially buy on your own, however, the idea of, and it is not a common belief, that purchasing it yourself is bad luck is not well renowned.
A: Are puka shell necklaces valuable vintage?
A: Vintage, especially of authentic necklaces which are composed of real Hawaiian shells, collected by hand, can be very valuable to collectors.
Conclusion
The puka shell necklace is not simply an object of clothing, but a culturally related aspect, a style and lastly a testament of a bond that humanity has always had to the ocean. In a fashion going in reverse, the puka shell that originally started as a result of natural creation of shells discarded on Hawaiian shores has taken a remarkable journey all the way to around the globe due to the surf and celebrity culture adoption of the puka shell.
Although fashion comes and goes, the beauty of the puka shells has not worn itself out. Arguably today, this necklace still has the same mystique, be it to celebrate tradition, to commemorate the sea or just to enhance the summer ensemble, there still is the special sparkle to this necklace.
More symbolically, a puka shell necklace is putting an ocean of spirit in your pocket. The meaning in each shell is a mute analysis of waves, tides, and sun-washed shores; and placed all together they form a continuum of life connection between the wearer and nature. The natural makeup, as well as the culture and individual expression in this necklace is what makes the puka shell necklace never actually really die, in style or memory. Many years after these see-saw fashion trends are long gone, the puka shell will still talk the sea language to those who wear it.