Jewels from the sea

and heritage, necklace-making has not only continued but also evolved in various ways. The knowledge and skills of shell processing and stringing have been passed down through generations of women, particularly the women of the Furneaux Islands, off Tasmania's north-east coast. Necklace-making is an opportunity for women of all ages to get together and share stories, pass knowledge to younger generations and continue to affirm their culture. Aunty Dulcie Greeno, an elder of the Tasmanian Aboriginal community, has been making necklaces for more than 40 years, but first began practising as a child. 'My grandmother used to do shell necklaces and a couple of my aunties did too,' she said in an interview for Australian Museums and Galleries Online. 'We'd go round with them on the beach and collect shells with them.' Now her sister (Corrie Fullard), daughter (Betty Grace), daughter-in-law (Lola Greeno) and niece (Jeanette James) - all celebrated artists in their own right - make necklaces. Shell necklaces were originally made as an adornment, as gifts and tokens of honour, and as objects to be exchanged with other groups for tools or for ochre, which could be used in important ceremonies. Archaeologist Rhys Jones found…