The Cowrie shell, part of the Cypraeidae family, is found in Western Australia and is known for its glossy exterior and spotted pattern. This particular shell is extremely rare, ...

Cowries, or leho in Hawaiian, are one of the most widely collected sea shells. Of the 200 known variations of cowries in the world, 35 come from Hawaii; nine of these exist nowhere else in the world.

The oldest examples of jewelry ever found, dating back as early as 100,000 years, were made of cowries and other shells. As time went on, cowries became symbols of power and a form of currency.

Small seashells have many characteristics that make them ideal monetary objects. They are durable, portable, and difficult to imitate. One species of cowrie shell is known as the money shell because ...

While Justice Jackson’s cowrie shell collar is not credited to any particular brand, their influence on Monday isn’t understated. As early as the 14th century cowrie shells were used on Africa ...

The history of the cowrie shell dates back centuries. According to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the earliest record of cowrie shells were found in 14th century Africa.

At right, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wears cowrie shells to an inaugural event. Photos by Angela Weiss / AFP, via Getty Images and Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images.