Most often associated with Rhode Island, the quahog bi-valve clam is used for food as well as to make jewelry. At one time, wampum beads (fashioned from the purplish-cream inside of the shell) were used in trade between the settlers and the natives in North America.
These elegant shells are beautiful as is, giving a special touch to any shell collection. But they also shine as display dishes for pearls and jewelry, smaller shells and beads.
Native American Indian wampum was colored both purple and off-white, but the largest association is with the purple shells. All of our half-shells have some purple and the exterior is left rough, as found in nature.
As far as we know, the quahog shells offered to you by SilverCrow are the bi-product of someone's dinner. The hand-dug clams were eaten, and, rather than waste the shells, we have purchased the most elegant ones.