History of the brilliant shell buttons:
The shiny inside of the shells attracted the attention of the ancient people since the dawn of civilization. It shined in various colours at the sunlight with sheer significance and beauty. That is why shell shells quickly found their place as decoration on the garments. There was only one step further from their decorative value to their fastening function, and this step was made in a short time. Another important factor for the appearance of the beautiful shell buttons was that shells are processed easily and could be found in abundant quantities. Many centuries have passed, during which time they were forgotten at times, and at times again become fashionable. Since the middle ages they have taken permanent place on our clothes. There have been periods when dozens and hundreds of them were used. There is a well-known royal garment of Francis I, which was trimmed with more than 13,000 – not shell buttons of course but – golden ones. They were regarded as a sign for social and wealth status and were available only to certain circles of society. In recent times the small shell buttons become a scene for the mastery of artists, engravers and jewellers. Often they were transformed into works of art for which collectors were reluctant pay substantial amounts.
Shell – the mother of pearl:
Today the various shell buttons are manifestation of the tendency towards the use of natural materials that is quire steady in recent decades. Shell, the raw material they are manufactured of, is very close in composition to the true pearls. It is secreted by the mollusc in its attempt to make the shell perfectly smooth and to prevent itself from the irritating effect of foreign matter and parasites that have got inside the shell. Actually it represents platelets of calcium carbonate, arranged parallel to the surface. These layers are separated by sheets of elastic biopolymers that contribute to the shell strength. When you select shell buttons, remember that the difference between them and the true pearls is very small. In the pearls the platelets of calcium carbonate are arranged perpendicular to the surface and radial to the irritant that later transforms into a core of pearl. The shell colour may range from dark to white, depending on the type of mollusc that produces it. Its characteristic features are the brilliance and the change of colour with the change of the angle from which it is observed. During the millennia shell shells have been used for different purposes, from a medium of exchange to impressive material for jewellery, cameos and works of art, and of course – for brilliant shell buttons.
