With delicate shades of blue and green, these ultra-light earrings are crafted from capiz—the translucent shell of a marine mollusk. Artisans begin by carefully washing and soaking the shells, then drying, shaping, and edging them with fine metal wire. A protective coat of varnish adds the final touch to this intricate, hands-on process. Before glass was common in the Philippines, capiz was traditionally used as windowpanes in local homes.
- Capiz, brass
- Diameter 1 inch
- Length 2 inches
- Made in the Philippines
About the Artisans:
SAFFY, Inc. (Social Action for Filipino Youth) supports small artisan workshops across the Philippines, with a focus on beautifully handcrafted capiz shell pieces—made from the inner layer of discarded mollusks. Founded in 1966 by Belgian nun Sr. Juliaan Mullie, SAFFY began as a way to provide sustainable income for women and youth in Manila’s underserved communities. Since then, it has grown to include social development programs and now partners with around 70 artisan groups. With in-house design support and access to educational, medical, and financial assistance, SAFFY empowers more than 1,000 individuals, including 40 employed in its own workshop, to build brighter futures through fair and meaningful work.