Are you ready for the summer? I have already selected the attractions of the beach

for those Luau parties? Planning a trip to Hawaii? Do you have Puka Shells?

Well, summer is fast approaching and Puka Shell necklaces are all the rage once again. But be careful because not all Puka shells are the same. The prices vary a lot as do the quality and the types.

But what are the Puka Shells and where do they come from? I find that the best place to find Puka shells is on the white sand beaches of the Philippines. The first time I took a walk on a beautiful tropical white sand beach, I thought I could walk barefoot like on the beaches of Southern California; places like Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Manhattan Beach, where the sand is smooth and soft. However, the sand of Bohol, the beach I first ventured to in the Philippines, had so many shells in the sand that I had to wear my sandals because it was so painful to step on them. I was amazed that there could be so many shells!

In fact, the Philippines is probably the world’s largest supplier of shells. Large Philippine companies such as Jumbo Pacific and Bedido export shells in bulk around the world. In fact, Cebu City is known as the Shell Capital of the Philippines. There is even a beach in the Philippines called Puka Beach. So it’s no wonder that shells are king in the Philippines!

But what types of Puka shells are there? Well, there are at least three main types. The actual puka shells that are hollowed out and come from conical shells, irregular cut puka shells called Puka Chips, and smooth round cut puka shells called Heishe.

Technically, the real puka shells are of the first type. These are the ones that come from cone shells that have been thrown and dropped into the surf and sand over time until all that remains is the hollowed-out top. The hole at the top (called the Puka) also wears naturally and is perfect for stringing on a necklace. The color ranges from white to light shades of beige and tan. White is very popular and is said to be the most worn by local surfers in Hawaii.

A second type is known as Puka Shell Chips. The most popular color is white, but they are also available in brown, mixed brown, dark brown (almost black), gray, pink and now even pastel and rainbow colors thanks to the magic of coloring dyes. These chips are made by hammering beer shells into irregular or square shapes and then drilling a hole for threading.

A third type is called Heishe, which are shells that are cut and ground into flat, round, and smooth shapes. A hole is then drilled and the shells are strung and polished at the edges with a leather belt. They come in all colors, including white, beige, tan, purple, brown lips, gray lips, pink lips, black lips, and many other varieties.

The work to create the fries and theft is done by hand and is very intense and dangerous for the craftsman’s fingers. That is why the Philippines has the advantage of producing these shells, since labor is very cheap in this third world country.

Here is a brief overview of the types of Puka shell necklaces, and now you can better buy the style and quality you prefer. By being better informed with this information, you can be sure of what you are getting and enjoy the experience of that tropical sensation. Have a happy beach party!