June 9, 2025 Kendall Kroner

The Difference Between Spiny Oyster and Lion's Paw Shells

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SHELLS

Spiny Oyster and Lion’s Paw shells are both stunning and used in jewelry and decorative arts, but they are quite different in terms of appearance, origin, and use. Dakota Stones took a deeper dive into what makes each of them unique. Check out DS' natural beads section on our website! Here's a side by side comparison of some of the basics:

Feature	Spiny Oyster	Lion’s Paw Shell
Scientific Genus	Spondylus species	Nodipecten nodosus
Common Species	Spondylus princeps, S. calcifer	Nodipecten nodosus
Natural Colors	Orange, red, purple (most common)	Burnt orange, brown, deep purple, reddish tones
Texture	Spiny or ridged outer shell (often with spikes)	Thick, smooth, scallop-like shell with knobs
Shell Shape	Oval to fan-like with long spines	Broad, fan-shaped scallop shell with "paw" shape
Luster/Interior	Slightly pearly, but mostly matte	High luster nacre (mother-of-pearl inside)

Spiny Oyster:

It is widely used in Native American jewelry (especially Navajo, Zuni, and Hopi)
Historically, it was valued by Mesoamerican cultures like the Maya and Inca
It is typically found attached to rocks or reefs in warm waters, such as the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans
Commonly in jewelry, it is combined with Turquoise, Lapis, or Coral because of their contrasting colors
In lapidary production, it is typically fashioned into cabochons, beads, or inlays

Lion’s Paw Shell:

It is more often collected whole for its shape and color
Found in the western Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean
Sometimes it is carved into pendants or whole specimens are used as home décor
It is rarely turned into beads or cabochons due to its flatter shape, but it can still be done effectively

If you’re considering using one in a jewelry project, Spiny Oyster is far more versatile and readily available for intricate work and jewelry making. Lion’s Paw, on the other hand, is more of a bold centerpiece shell than a material for fine inlay because the shell itself is flat and thick, making it hard to cut and shape.

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Comments

Mary Phillips - July 1, 2025
Interesting article. I would have liked to see more photos of the whole shells in comparison. We lived in SW Florida for almost a decade so I have many shells picked up from the beaches there. I enjoy incorporating them into my jewelry designs and using beads made from oceanic components to complement them.

jeff - July 1, 2025
Love the info!