This whimsical necklace is made with a carved mammoth ivory turtle on a green lotus leaf netsuke. The turtle is carved all over an has an etched design showing off his wonderful shell. The mammoth ivory piece is 2” long by 1 1/4” high and is signed on the bottom. I have beaded this piece with 15 mm red apple coral beads and some green African tribal glass beads that pick up the color of the lotus leaf and red lotus blossom. The necklace is 19” around and is finished with a large 18k gold vermeil hook clasp. Although large and dramatic this necklace is light weight as apple coral is light.

The turtle or tortoise is sacred to China. It is symbolic of longevity, strength, endurance and steadfastness. It is believed to keep hidden from view the secrets of heaven. It is also a sign of immortality. The lotus, also known as the sea rose, is a symbol of purity, fruitfulness and creativity.

Apple coral is from the species of melithaea sponge, a non-endangered species of coral. Coral is the remains of the skeletons of coral polyps. The melithaea sponge coral are found on the ocean floors around the waters of Southern China and Indonesia. It is made into beads and sealed and polished and is prized for its beauty. There is a U. S. on shipping coral in and out of the country because of the destruction of coral reefs around the world. This is the only coral I use as it is excluded from the ban, as this species is not endangered and is environmentally sustainable.

Mammoth Ivory comes from tusk of the extinct mammoth elephant that lived on the Earth from about 4.8 million to 4,500 years ago (Pliocene era). Because they are extinct they are not endangered and therefore, are legal and save the African elephant. The artisans that carved elephant ivory are now carving mammoth ivory that is recovered in Siberia. Using mammoth ivory encourages the preservation of the African elephant.