This gorgeous jewelry is made from capiz shell, which is the shell of a marine mollusk. The thin shell of the 'windowpane oyster' had once been used for windows in houses, before glass windows became available in the Philippines. Now it is washed, soaked, dyed, dried, cut, and edged with metal wire to create unique jewelry pieces such as this. Capiz, silver-plated brass This item is handcrafted, so variances may occur 1Dx2L inches Handcrafted in Philippines SAFFY, Inc. stands for Social Action for Filipino Youth. SAFFY, Inc. markets handmade crafts for many small artisan workshops, and specializes in capiz shell items. Artisans benefit from educational seminars, vocational training, financial and medical assistance. SAFFY was founded to create alternative sources of livelihood for impoverished women and youth in marginalized areas of Manila. It expanded to serve communities in need by launching social development programs. SAFFY provides marketing and export services to about 70 artisan workshops and provides employment for more than 1,000 people.
