Indonesia is known to jewelers as a central hub for metal smithing. Craftsman there have mastered the art of silver making and filigree. This teardrop shaped pendant of abalone shell feature silver filigree accents that beautifully fan out, like a raindrop splashing into a puddle! This pendant measures 1 inch across and 1.5 inches long (bail included in measurements).
- Indonesian fan pendant
- Sterling silver with abalone shell
- Measures 1 x 1.5 inches
- Made in Bali, Indonesia
- Sold as a pendant. To add a chain please select a chain option.
Handcrafted: Artistically created by hand where beauty and imperfections go together wonderfully. Please accept and appreciate minor imperfections and variations which are true characteristic of this craft.
Pendant is sold as pendant only. To add a sterling silver snake chain, click here.
design: A teardrop of iridescent abalone shell is framed in sterling silver and set atop an openwork silver fan of hand-coiled filigree scrolls, giving the piece the look of a raindrop splashing outward into ripples.
size: 1 inch wide x 1.5 inches long, including the bail.
material: Sterling silver and abalone shell.
features: Bezel-set abalone shell centerpiece, hand-coiled filigree scrollwork, polished silver bail, sold as pendant only (chain available separately)
care: Store away from moisture and other jewelry to protect the shell and silver's polish, and wipe with a soft cloth after wear.
disclaimer: Because the shell is a natural material and the filigree is shaped by hand, the exact color play and scrollwork of your pendant will vary slightly from the one pictured.
The Story
This pendant's fan-shaped base is built from wire filigree, a metalworking technique in which fine silver wire is twisted, coiled, and soldered into openwork scrollwork rather than cast as a solid shape. Bali's silversmithing centers, particularly the village of Celuk, have long specialized in this kind of hand-formed wirework, passed down through family workshops where coiling even, symmetrical scrolls is a skill learned over years at the bench.
The teardrop silhouette and the way the filigree fans out beneath the shell are a deliberate design choice, echoing the shape of a droplet meeting a surface. Pairing a bezel-set stone or shell with a filigree base is a common structure in Balinese silver jewelry: the smooth, polished cabochon offers contrast to the intricate, airy wirework around it.
Abalone shell is prized across many coastal jewelry traditions, including in Indonesia, for the natural iridescence of its nacre layer, which shifts between blue, green, and violet depending on the light. Using shell alongside silver filigree reflects a broader Balinese practice of combining locally sourced natural materials with refined metalwork.
A silversmith begins by drawing sterling silver into fine wire, then hand-coils lengths of it into the small spirals and scrolls that make up the fan base, soldering each junction so the openwork holds its shape. The abalone shell is cut and polished into a smooth teardrop cabochon, then set into a hand-formed silver bezel that is soldered onto the filigree base. Because every scroll is shaped and placed by hand, no two pendants coil in exactly the same way.
Craft & Materials
- Made In: Bali, Indonesia
- Craft Tradition: Balinese silver filigree
- Ideal For: Someone who likes a statement pendant with fine, handworked detail
- Wear It With: Layer on a longer chain over a simple top, or wear alone as a focal piece with an open collar or v-neck
- Purpose: Everyday wear, gifting, layering piece
- Gemstone: Abalone shell
- Metal: Sterling silver
Abalone shell gets its shifting blue-green iridescence from nacre, the same lustrous layer that lines the interior of the shell and forms around pearls. Because the color play depends on the angle of light and the natural growth pattern of the shell, each piece shows its own distinct blend of hues, making every pendant a one-of-a-kind interpretation of the material.
Questions & Answers
What is the pendant made of?
The pendant is sterling silver with a bezel-set abalone shell centerpiece and a hand-coiled silver filigree base.
Does the pendant come with a chain?
No, it's sold as the pendant only. A sterling silver snake chain can be added separately.
How big is the pendant?
It measures 1 inch across and 1.5 inches long, including the bail.
Where is this pendant made?
It's handcrafted in Bali, Indonesia, a region known for its silver filigree tradition.
Will the shell coloring match the photo exactly?
Not exactly. Abalone shell is a natural material, so the pattern and color play are unique to each pendant.
