Diamond Shell Jewelry Is a Luxurious Staple For Every Season

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Diamond Shell Jewelry Is the Coastal-Luxe Trend You’ll Want to Wear All Year

Your favorite puka shell necklace just got a natural diamond upgrade.

Published July 30, 2025
Written by: Shelley Brown

Madison Bailey Only Natural DIamonds — (Madison Bailey Photographed by Olivia Malone for *Only Natural Diamonds* )

High summer offers many natural pleasures: salty breezes, warm water, and sun-kissed skin. But the most luxurious indulgence of this sultry season? Shell jewelry glistening with natural diamonds—a combination of earth and sea that’s both a rising trend and a timeless addition to any jewelry collection.

While shell and nautical elements have long washed up in fashion (think the rugged fisherman aesthetic or even mermaidcore for the more whimsical among us), diamond shell jewelry is an elevated take on coastal style. These aren’t pieces to pack away after Labor Day—they’re designed to shine all year long.

Meet the Expert

Diamond Shell Jewelry Is the Coastal-Luxe Trend You’ll Want to Wear All Year

Renna Brown‑Taher is the founder and creative director of Renna, a fine jewelry brand inspired by her childhood memories of collecting seashells along the California coast.
Her designs are rooted in storytelling, sustainability, and a reverence for nature.
A certified gemologist with a Master’s degree from the Sotheby’s Institute of Art, she spent five years in the Sotheby’s New York jewelry department researching and authenticating high-end pieces—an experience that informs her meticulous approach to design.

Ahead, explore the history and symbolism of shell jewelry, plus standout diamond styles to add to your wishlist.

What Shell Jewelry Symbolizes

shell jewelry: black diamond shell necklace — Almasika Le Cauri Endiamanté Black Gold Diamond Très Grand Necklace, $22,500, almasika.com

Since ancient times, shells have been more than seaside souvenirs—they’ve symbolized protection, femininity, and rebirth. In Greek mythology, Aphrodite, the goddess of love, famously emerged from a seashell. Cowrie shells were used as currency and spiritual talismans across various coastal cultures, especially in West Africa, parts of South Asia, and the Pacific Islands. In West Africa, they were traded widely across the continent and symbolized wealth, fertility and luck. They were often sewn into clothing, jewelry, and ceremonial objects to attract prosperity and ward off evil.

In more recent history, shells had a fashion moment in the 1970s and again in the early 2000s, when puka shell necklaces became a symbol of laid-back surfer style. Once considered casual beachwear, shells have since undergone a high-fashion revival, elevated by fine jewelry designers who incorporate precious materials like gold and natural diamonds.

When paired with natural diamonds, these oceanic emblems become something even more meaningful, merging the ancient symbolism of shells with the enduring strength and inimitable sparkle of billion-year-old treasures from the earth. The contrast between raw, organic texture and refined brilliance feels especially modern: grounded in nature, yet boldly luxurious.

Designer Takes on Diamond Shell Jewelry

Today’s designers are diving deep into the shell jewelry trend, bringing their own perspective to the classic motif and incorporating natural diamonds.

Renna Jewels

shell jewelry: diamond shell pendant — Renna Jewels Nautilus Pendant, $10,000, rennajewels.com

Renna Brown-Taher, the founder of Renna, grew up collecting shells with her mother, a tradition that now informs her delicate and poetic designs. “No matter how many jewels you collect, I find the only ones that get worn are the ones with meaning. It’s shells for me, and I’ve found it to be the same for so many others,” she says. Her signature scallop pendants and conch earrings are crafted from 18k gold and natural diamonds, offering a refined twist on childhood nostalgia.

“Our first collection was a line of golden shells, so shells truly are the DNA of the Renna brand,” Brown-Taher says. “I always introduce new shells each year so that our clients can add more to their collections. This year, we introduced the new Nautilus pendant and Nautilus ring that feature a small pearl racing its way through the back of the shell.”

Brent Neale

shell jewelry: shell ring — Brent Neale Large Clam Shell Ring, $25,250, brentneale.com

Brent Neale’s joyful, maximalist creations embrace whimsy without sacrificing sophistication. Her designs are deeply personal, inspired by art, literature, travel, and the counterculture of the 1960s and ’70s—think carved gemstones in mushroom shapes, geometric rainbows, floral motifs, and fairytale references. Her shell rings and pendants—including the above bejeweled large clam shell ring that opens up to reveal a pearl—feel playful yet polished.

Dezso by Sara Beltran

shell jewelry: shell pendant — **Dezso by Sara Beltrán** Diamond Helmet Shell Pendant, $14,000, marissacollections.com

Sarah Beltran, the designer behind Dezso, channels her lifelong connection to the ocean through one-of-a-kind creations that often incorporate real shells, hand-carved stones, and organic forms. The word Dezso means “desire” in Latin, and her collections reflect that quiet longing for the sea—featuring motifs like shark teeth, carved coral, and pebbles found during her travels. Her use of natural diamonds adds an unexpected shimmer to these earthy treasures, transforming surf-inspired pieces into heirloom-worthy jewels.

Silvia Furmanovich

shell jewelry: shell earrings — Silvia Furmanovich 18K Yellow Gold Nautilus Shell Earrings with Diamonds, $7,870, bergdorfgoodman.com

Silvia Furmanovich, known for her masterful marquetry (a decorative art technique that involves creating intricate patterns or images by inlaying pieces of wood, shell, stone, or other materials into a surface—typically wood), takes shell jewelry into the realm of fine art. Based in São Paulo, Furmanovich draws inspiration from global travel, ancient cultures, and the natural world. Using techniques honed in the Amazon, her intricate inlaid shell and diamond pieces evoke exotic elegance, telling a story of craftsmanship, nature, and heritage.

How to Wear Shell Jewelry

Shell jewelry is surprisingly versatile, especially when embellished with diamonds. For a laid-back daytime look, wear a single shell pendant on a fine chain, delicate shell studs that add subtle sparkle, or a pared-down shell anklet. Layered with other diamond or gemstone pieces (pearls work particularly well here for obvious reasons), these jewels channel relaxed, beachy glamour.

Heading into fall or dressing for evening? Lean into the unexpected by pairing bolder diamond shell jewelry with structured tailoring, silky slip dresses, or rich knits. A diamond conch necklace or oversized shell ring adds a modern, luxurious twist to any outfit, proving this trend isn’t strictly seasonal.

“I am an unapologetic shell girl year-round. I grew up in LA, where it was always sunny, but I have lived in New York for the past 16 years. My shells are how I connect to home and how I express who I am,” says Brown-Taher. “Never wear what you think you should be wearing— wear what resonates with you, and that’s when your personal style will come into play.”

Brown-Taher also suggests mixing different metals and styles when it comes to shell jewelry to avoid overdoing it or looking costume-y. “There’s no need to be matchy-matchy,” she says.

Shop Diamond Shell Jewelry

Whether you’re chasing the last days of summer or dreaming of a beach escape mid-winter, diamond shell jewelry offers the perfect way to carry the coast with you—no matter the season.