Whale Tooth Carving Earrings (1)

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Both the materials and the techniques are endangered species.

In 1973, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was adopted by the United Nations.

The purpose of this is to protect endangered species of wild animals and plants from extinction. In Japan, international trade of these species has been prohibited or restricted since 1980.

The materials featured were coral, tortoiseshell, ivory, whale, and other materials familiar to Japanese traditional crafts.

In the past, skilled craftsmen carved these materials into popular crafts, and these were used as obi clasps and hair ornaments to beautifully adorn Japanese women.

However, due to the current ban on importing materials and a decrease in the number of craftsmen, these traditional techniques are being lost.

These precious sculptures, created decades ago, have been revived as jewelry that is easy to use for those of us living in the modern age.

The objectives of the CITES include "sustainable use" as well as "protecting species from extinction."

It could be said that it is our mission as the current generation to utilize the precious materials created in the past and pass them on to the next generation.

Above all, it's so beautiful.

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The rich cream color of the whale tooth is combined with freshwater pearls, which are characterized by their silky luster.

Compared to the other whale tooth carving earrings , these are smaller and more elegant. The pearls are removable, so you can wear them simply with just the carving, giving you two ways to wear them.

<Notes>

・The whale tooth carving used in this product has some black shavings left behind as traces of the whetstone used to carve it. This is thought to be the result of the whetstone adhering to the organic whale tooth and becoming one with it over the decades. This does not affect the appearance when worn, but please check the photos and be aware of this beforehand.

・The Endangered Collection cannot be shipped overseas. We will only ship to addresses within Japan.

[Material] Whale tooth, freshwater pearl, 18K gold
[Size] Total length approx. 30mm, Whale tooth carving: approx. 16mm x 17mm, Freshwater pearl: approx. 11mm x 10mm
[Weight] Approximately 2.5g per piece

*Please note that the actual product may look different depending on your monitor settings.
*Please note that there may be natural imperfections due to the use of natural materials. Please carefully check the photos before purchasing.