As the story goes - Sailor’s Valentines originated as a way for sailors to not only express their love for wives and family, but to also wile away the endless days at sea. Fashioned from varieties of colorful shells found during their travels, these beautiful mosaics were originally housed in wooden boxes and covered in glass. In reality - these gorgeous works of art were most likely purchased in Barbados where the shell mosaics were part of a booming cottage industry. I first became aware of these highly collectible works of art during our 10 year sojourns to Nantucket for the summer. An exquisitely detailed pre-ban ivory scrimshaw of the Nantucket Sankaty Lighthouse, is the focal point of this unique Sailor’s Valentine pocket watch. A painstaking arrangement of the most miniature shells in iridescent ivory and aqua blue, reminds us of the exotic origins of these petite shells. Aquatic blue step-faceted aquamarine nuggets with hand-coiled loops are interspersed with freshwater baroque pearls on a mystic labradorite hand-linked chain. In addition to the unique antique Sailor’s Valentine pocket watch, a generous amulet of aqua flash labradorite is joined with a gold vermeil shell and diminutive seahorse charms - to remind us of the romantic origins of this charming art. These necklaces are truly one-of-a-kind designs that will mesmerize your friends! 29 inches long with 4.25 inches pendant drop. 2.12 inches diameter.