Jewel beetle elytra wing earrings in sterling silver with green quartz.
The jewel beetle has been used as adornment in jewellery and textiles in Thailand, Myanmar, India, Japan and China for centuries. These earrings are set with a pair of the hardened outer wing casings, or elytra.
Jenny Mason
The pieces I create start from observations of New Zealand’s flora, fauna and landscapes, and a desire to translate them into objects. I also draw inspiration from found objects, historical traditions and the materials themselves.