Vintage Jewelry That Screams “Wanna Play Mermaids?”

She sells secondhand seashells on her eBay storefront

Jul 22, 2025

I’m assuming the answer is yes, you do want to play mermaids. Shall we dive in?

Lately, any time I’ve stared in the mirror and wondered if my outfit needed a bit of oomph, I’ve reached for this necklace. The thick circles of silver seem to up the ante of any look, regardless of occasion. And I’ve felt — particularly paired here with this Beetlecore iridescent blue fabric — that this necklace was born of the sea.

What gives it that oceanic feeling?

I credit its organic round shape with imperfectly hammered details that lend a natural warmth. The way each circle reminds me of a coin thrown into a fountain with a wish. And that slightly aged silver tone, like it’s weathered years of dips in salty water.

The necklace could have been carved, I mused, by centuries of rocking waves, smoothing irregular metal into something soft and round. Like the tide kneading the shore: caressing broken bottles into plump gems of sea glass; grains of sand into shimmering slippery pearls; jagged rocks into buttery pebbles. Jewelry too is opulence coaxed out of a gritty natural form.

In this letter, 60+ pieces of secondhand jewelry I imagine washing ashore on a rocky coast. Pieces you might wear while watching Aquamarine (2006) and listening to Aquamarine (2024) and doing your best Australian “Cleo!” punctuated with an exaggerated R at the end.

Some recurring themes and motifs of this lot…

Swirly, whimsical silver
Starfish (including some Elsa Peretti at ideal prices)
Pearlescent sheens
Nautical bits and bobs
Articulated fish
Shells galore

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Sally’s seashore shell shanty:

* I may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links but at no cost to you, of course :)

925 Sterling Silver Mexico Vintage Sea Shell Pendant, $80 / shop on eBay

Silver Spiral Shell Pendant Necklace Vintage, $45 / shop on eBay

Vtg 925 Sterling Silver Seashell Dainty Ring Sz 6.5, $20 / shop on eBay

925 Sterling Silver Vintage Mexico Seashell Oxidized Pendant, $200 / shop on eBay

Seashell Pendant Vintage 14k Gold Circa 1980s, $135 / shop on Etsy

Seashell Pendant - Vintage 14k Gold - Circa 1980s - Seashell Ocean Charm Pendant - Michael Anthony - Fine Statement Jewelry image 1

Vintage Sterling Silver Shell Ring 925 size 6.75, $32 / shop on eBay

VTG Sterling Silver - BEAU Oyster Sea Shell Bracelet Charm - 1.5g, bidding ends tonight! / shop on eBay

Vintage Brown Shell Pendant Gold tone 15” chain, $17 / shop on eBay

Vintage 925 Sterling Silver Fanned Seashell Ring Size 6.5, $42 / shop on eBay

Vintage Sterling Silver Natural Seashell Ring Size 6.75, $60 / shop on eBay

Vintage 80s Oyster Shell Puffy Charm, $15 / shop on Etsy

Vintage 80s Oyster Shell Charm Pendant Yellow Gold Tone Embossed 3-D Hollow image 1

Ocean swirls and silver waves:

Taxco Mexico 925 Sterling Silver Circle Swirl Earrings, $85 / shop on eBay

VTG Sterling Silver Swirl Stick Handmade Earrings, $10 / shop on eBay

Vintage Taxco Sterling Silver Hinged Collar Necklace, $160 / shop on eBay

925 Sterling Silver Hammered Infinity Swirl Pendant, $50 / shop on Etsy

May include: Silver spiral pendant. The pendant is round with a hammered texture and features a cutout spiral design. The bail is simple and understated. This modern, minimalist pendant is perfect for adding a touch of elegance to any outfit. The pendant's hammered surface adds a unique texture and dimension, while the clean lines of the spiral create a visually appealing contrast. The overall design is both sophisticated and eye-catching, making it a versatile piece for everyday wear or special occasions.

VINTAGE 925 STERLING SILVER CHAIN NECKLACE WITH STERLING ROUND PENDANT, $40 / shop on eBay

Vintage 90s structured 3 layer collar necklace, $13 / shop on Etsy

May include: A silver choker necklace with three layers of metal bands.

Vintage Sterling Silver Large Swirls & Circles Cuff Bracelet, $120 / shop on eBay

Vintage Sterling Silver Circle Collar Necklace, $125 / shop on eBay

No fish were harmed in the making of this jewelry:

Vintage Taxco Mexico sterling silver fish skeleton pendant necklace, $135 / shop on eBay

Vintage Sterling Silver and Mexican Jade Fish Pendant, $135 / shop on eBay

Abstract Jellyfish Brooch Sterling Silver Taxco Mexico 925, $150 / shop on eBay

Vintage Mexico Sterling Silver Fish Pendant on chain, $175 / shop on eBay

Vintage Articulated Silver Fish Pendant, $65 / shop on eBay

EBJ Signed Vintage Sea Horse Pierced Dimensional Earrings, $20 / shop on eBay

Vintage Mexico 925 Sterling Silver Fish Pendant With Turquoise & Copper Inlays, $20 / shop on eBay

Vintage Fish Charm Pendant, $11 / shop on Etsy

Vintage Fish Charm Pendant Sardine Charm Pendant Vintage Jewelry Pendants For Women Frosted Fish Jewelry Resin Gifts For Her Foodie Gift

Vintage Mexico Sterling Silver Inlaid Sodalite Articulated Skeleton Fish Pendant, $95 / shop on eBay

Vintage Green Jade Jadeite Carved Fish Pendant, $69 / shop on eBay

Vintage Mexican Sterling Silver Fishbone Dangling Pendant, $36 / shop on eBay

925 Sterling Silver Vintage Mexico Real Azurite Modernist Pendant, $63 / shop on eBay

Taxco Sterling Silver Fish Bone Pierced Earrings, $48 / shop on eBay

Lustrous pearly gems:

925 Sterling Silver Vintage Abalone Shell & Blue Topaz Pendant, $90 / shop on eBay

Set of 7 Bangle Bracelets Shell Inlay Mother Of Pearl Abalone, $56 / shop on Etsy

Set of 7 Bangle Bracelets Shell Inlay Mother Of Pearl Abalone Vintage Stackable Jewelry Brass Silver Tone Summer image 1

Vintage Sterling Silver Mesh Pearl Choker Necklace, $55 / shop on eBay

Vintage Sterling Silver 925 Abalone Sea Shell Ring Size 8, $75 / shop on eBay

Vintage Sterling Silver 925 Abalone Modernist Circle Pendant, $73 / shop on eBay

Vintage Sterling Silver 925 Abalone Ring Size 8, $30 / shop on eBay

Stunning Abalone Shell Pendant with Silver Cap, $30 / shop on eBay

Fell overboard off a passing ship to be discovered by a curious mermaid scouring the ocean floor for treasure:

Sterling Silver Vintage Cutlery Charm, $22 / shop on Etsy

May include: A silver charm in the shape of a knife and fork. The charm has a diamond shape engraved on the handle of each utensil.

14K Yellow Gold Lighthouse Charm Pendant Vintage, $70 / shop on eBay

VTG 14kt Yellow Gold Plated 1 Inch Lighthouse Charm, $39 / shop on eBay

Vintage 925 Sterling Silver Rowing Boat Charm Pendant, $27 / shop on eBay

VTG Sterling Silver Sailboat Charm Pendant, $17 / shop on eBay

14K GOLD VINTAGE SAILBOAT CHARM, $152 / shop on eBay

Vintage Sterling Silver Envelope Locket Pendant, $70 / shop on eBay

14K Yellow Gold Lucky Dice Pendant, $270 / shop on eBay

Sterling Silver Ship Propeller Pendant Necklace, $35 / shop on eBay

A day at the coral market:

925 Sterling Silver Vintage Real Coral Modernist Pendant, $140 / shop on eBay

Vintage Signed Vietta CR Taxco 925 Sterling Silver Coral Ring Size 5.5, $35 / shop on eBay

14K Yellow Gold Sand Dollar Charm, $93 / shop on Etsy

May include: A gold sand dollar pendant charm in a black velvet jewelry box.

Sterling Silver Red Coral And White Shell Pendant, $50 / shop on eBay

925 Sterling Silver Matching Pendant and Ring Size 6.5, $130 / shop on eBay

Light Green Sea Glass Pendant Sterling 925 Silver, $20 / shop on eBay

Vintage Sterling Silver Spiny Oyster Gaspeite Mexico Pendant Necklace, $125 / shop on eBay

Starfish! To whisper compliments in your ears:

Tiffany & Co Elsa Peretti Silver Starfish Pendant Necklace, $149 / shop on eBay

TIFFANY & CO. ELSA PERETTI STERLING SILVER STARFISH EARRINGS GENERIC 925 BACKS, $259 / shop on eBay

TIFFANY & Co Starfish Elsa Peretti Necklace Pendant, $150 / shop on eBay

Sterling Silver Multi-stone Starfish Pendant, $23 / shop on Etsy

Sterling Silver Multistone Starfish Pendant image 1

VTG Starfish 925 Silver Sculptural Pendant on 925 Silver 18" Chain, $40 / shop on eBay

Sterling Silver Mexico Starfish Large Pendant, $26 / shop on eBay

Vintage Mexico Sterling Silver 925 Starfish Pendant, $27 / shop on eBay

Vintage Sterling Spiral Sea Star Fish Brooch, $38 / shop on eBay

Sterling Silver Multi-Stone Inlay Starfish Brooch, $30 / shop on eBay

VTG Taxco Mexico Sterling Silver Star Drop Pendant, $22 / shop on eBay

And if you’re still craving more, Kendall Flavin included some stunning seafaring pieces in her summer necklace edit. If you’re lucky there might be a few left that haven’t been snapped up!