The Story 💀
Step into a deep slice of Florida’s natural history with a pair of earrings that effortlessly bridge the ancient past with modern, wearable conservation. These striking 2.5-inch drop earrings feature a rhythmic alternation of genuine 3mm x 3mm serpentine heishi beads and pristine white armadillo scutes—the individual bony plates that form the animal’s protective armor.
 
For many, the nine-banded armadillo is just a quirky fixture of the modern southern landscape. But to hold their beautifully textured scutes is to connect with a lineage that echoes back to their massive, car-sized prehistoric cousins, the glyptodonts, which originally journeyed up from South America across the Isthmus of Panama. These ancient giants roamed these very same Florida paths during the Pleistocene epoch, up until roughly 11,000 years ago. Today, the modern armadillo is a naturalized invasive species native to South America. Because they are sadly struck down on our busy South Florida streets on a daily basis, we are able to step in and ethically salvage these fascinating pieces of natural architecture, transforming a roadside tragedy into a stunning, soulful tribute.
 
 
The chalky, organic textures of the osteoderms provide a gorgeous contrast against the rich, olive and moss-green bands of the serpentine stone. This combination was born from years of patient experimentation; the armadillo was actually the very first animal we ever worked with, and it took a long time to perfect the delicate processing required to feature them in our collections. Suspended from high-quality, 925 silver plated fish hooks, these earrings have a beautiful, lively movement that catches the eye and invites conversation, making them the ultimate signature accessory for a vibrant, conscious summer.
 
The Composition
The Specimen: Authentically processed, ethically salvaged Florida armadillo scutes (bony armor plates), hand-cleaned to a brilliant white finish while preserving their intricate, porous natural texture.
The Gemstone: Genuine 3mm x 3mm serpentine heishi tube beads interspersed to create a deep, earthy, multi-tonal green rhythm.
The Engineering: Alternating scutes and gemstone tubes are precisely stacked along a durable drop wire to maximize movement and stability, as showcased flat in the photo.
The Frame: Completed with high-quality .925 silver-plated fish hook findings for comfortable, secure everyday wear.
The Dimensions: A bold yet lightweight 2.5-inch total drop length.
 
Style & Wear
These drops are an absolute must-have for summer styling, injecting an organic, bohemian edge into any look. The high-contrast color palette of deep serpentine green and studio white makes them incredibly versatile. Let them dangle freely against a crisp white summer sundress to make the stone tones pop, or pair them with earth-toned linens and swept-back hair to give the prehistoric texture of the scutes center stage. Despite their substantial 2.5-inch presence, they remain remarkably lightweight and comfortable for all-day wear.
 
The Investment
Curation Price: $24
The Legacy: Hand-designed, structurally engineered, and assembled in North Port, Florida by full-time artist Michele Moore.
Hardware: Finished with hypoallergenic .925 silver-plated fish hook findings.