Pirate Seaglass Necklaces

Description

Beautifully shaped by the ocean, these pieces of Pirate Cornish seaglass have not been altered from their found shapes. The back of the setting has a hand-cut engine house, celebrating these iconic Cornish buildings.  ‘Pirate glass’ appears black but when a light is shone through it is a very deep colour, usually a dark green or brown. This design has an engine house hand-cut from the back of the setting.  These iconic Cornish buildings mark old tin-mine workings, some of which are now UNESCO world heritage sites.

These pendants come on an 18″ chain, if you’d prefer 16″ then please let me know in the notes on the checkout page.  Beautifully shaped by the ocean, these are genuine pieces of Pirate Cornish seaglass.

A: Gyllyngvase Beach.  The seaglass measures approximately 22 x 18mm.

B: Swanpool Beach.  The seaglass measures approximately 19 x 13mm.

C: Gyllyngvase, Falmouth.  The seaglass measures approximately 17 x 13mm.

What is Pirate Glass?

Hundreds of years ago, before refrigeration and preservatives, many liquids were put in dark bottles to prevent them degrading.  This was especially important for sailors (and pirates) to ensure they had safe liquids to drink as water was often unsafe.

Falmouth was renowned for its safe-haven for Pirates and Privateers in the 1500’s to early 1600’s when Arwenack manor was owned by the Killigrew family.  With close links to Tudor monarchy, the Killigrew’s grew wealthy and established the village of Smithick which would later be re-named Falmouth.  I like to think the Pirate glass found in the bay dates back to these tales of treasures and wild buccaneers, tossing their used broken bottles overboard!

All Porth seaglass necklaces are beautifully packaged in a grey box, with the Porth logo printed in turquoise on top.  Each piece of jewellery also comes with a care sheet and a small map showing where it was beach-combed for provenance.  Perfect for a special gift.