Wampum Shell
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The white and purple layers of the shell create beautiful patterns. Only a small percentage of Wampum shells have deep layers of purple and are thick enough to make beads.
Wampum Shell 8mm Heishi - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$49.00
-
Original price
$49.00
Original price
$49.00
$49.00
-
$49.00
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full details
Original price
$49.00
-
Original price
$49.00
Original price
$49.00
$49.00
-
$49.00
Wampum Shell 6mm Rondelle - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$44.00
-
Original price
$44.00
Original price
$44.00
$44.00
-
$44.00
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full details
Original price
$44.00
-
Original price
$44.00
Original price
$44.00
$44.00
-
$44.00
Wampum Shell 8mm Round - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$132.00
-
Original price
$132.00
Original price
$132.00
$132.00
-
$132.00
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full details
Original price
$132.00
-
Original price
$132.00
Original price
$132.00
$132.00
-
$132.00
Wampum Shell 10mm Round - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$137.00
-
Original price
$137.00
Original price
$137.00
$137.00
-
$137.00
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full details
Original price
$137.00
-
Original price
$137.00
Original price
$137.00
$137.00
-
$137.00
Wampum Shell 9mm Carved Flower Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$59.00
-
Original price
$59.00
Original price
$59.00
$59.00
-
$59.00
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full details
Original price
$59.00
-
Original price
$59.00
Original price
$59.00
$59.00
-
$59.00
Wampum Shell 10mm Heishi - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$59.00
-
Original price
$59.00
Original price
$59.00
$59.00
-
$59.00
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full details
Original price
$59.00
-
Original price
$59.00
Original price
$59.00
$59.00
-
$59.00
Wampum Shell 12x15mm Carved Shell Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$66.00
-
Original price
$66.00
Original price
$66.00
$66.00
-
$66.00
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full details
Original price
$66.00
-
Original price
$66.00
Original price
$66.00
$66.00
-
$66.00
Wampum Shell 8mm Cross - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$60.00
-
Original price
$60.00
Original price
$60.00
$60.00
-
$60.00
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full details
Original price
$60.00
-
Original price
$60.00
Original price
$60.00
$60.00
-
$60.00
Wampum Shell 4mm Round Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$77.00
-
Original price
$77.00
Original price
$77.00
$77.00
-
$77.00
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full details
Original price
$77.00
-
Original price
$77.00
Original price
$77.00
$77.00
-
$77.00
Wampum Shell 8mm Rondelle - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$55.00
-
Original price
$55.00
Original price
$55.00
$55.00
-
$55.00
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full details
Original price
$55.00
-
Original price
$55.00
Original price
$55.00
$55.00
-
$55.00
Wampum Shell 6mm Round Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$104.00
-
Original price
$104.00
Original price
$104.00
$104.00
-
$104.00
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full details
Original price
$104.00
-
Original price
$104.00
Original price
$104.00
$104.00
-
$104.00
Wampum Shell 7mm Rondelle Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$49.00
-
Original price
$49.00
Original price
$49.00
$49.00
-
$49.00
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full details
Original price
$49.00
-
Original price
$49.00
Original price
$49.00
$49.00
-
$49.00
Wampum Shell 5x10mm Tube Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$53.00
-
Original price
$53.00
Original price
$53.00
$53.00
-
$53.00
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full details
Original price
$53.00
-
Original price
$53.00
Original price
$53.00
$53.00
-
$53.00
Spiny Oyster Mixed Wth Wampum 8mm Heishi - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$99.00
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Original price
$99.00
Original price
$99.00
$99.00
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$99.00
The colors in this strand of Spiny Oyster and Wampum Shell are contrasting yet look so good together. It's like they were meant for each other!
Original price
$99.00
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Original price
$99.00
Original price
$99.00
$99.00
-
$99.00
Wampum Shell 5mm Light Rondelle Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$41.00
-
Original price
$41.00
Original price
$41.00
$41.00
-
$41.00
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full details
Original price
$41.00
-
Original price
$41.00
Original price
$41.00
$41.00
-
$41.00
Wampum Shell 8x11mm Carved Butterfly Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$109.00
-
Original price
$109.00
Original price
$109.00
$109.00
-
$109.00
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full details
Original price
$109.00
-
Original price
$109.00
Original price
$109.00
$109.00
-
$109.00
Wampum Shell 14mm Round Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$149.00
-
Original price
$149.00
Original price
$149.00
$149.00
-
$149.00
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full details
Original price
$149.00
-
Original price
$149.00
Original price
$149.00
$149.00
-
$149.00
Wampum Shell 10mm Rondelle Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$59.00
-
Original price
$59.00
Original price
$59.00
$59.00
-
$59.00
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full details
Original price
$59.00
-
Original price
$59.00
Original price
$59.00
$59.00
-
$59.00
Wampum Shell 20mm Cross Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$55.00
-
Original price
$55.00
Original price
$55.00
$55.00
-
$55.00
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full details
Original price
$55.00
-
Original price
$55.00
Original price
$55.00
$55.00
-
$55.00
Wampum Shell 12mm Heishi Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$68.00
-
Original price
$68.00
Original price
$68.00
$68.00
-
$68.00
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full details
Original price
$68.00
-
Original price
$68.00
Original price
$68.00
$68.00
-
$68.00
Wampum Shell 15mm Clover Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$49.00
-
Original price
$49.00
Original price
$49.00
$49.00
-
$49.00
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full details
Original price
$49.00
-
Original price
$49.00
Original price
$49.00
$49.00
-
$49.00
About this stone
Color
WhitePurple
Origin
USA (New England coast)Northwestern Atlantic
Mohs hardness
3.5–4
Treatment categories
Natural
Industry-standard treatment
Natural — Wampum shell from the Northern Quahog clam (Mercenaria mercenaria), prized for its rare naturally deep-purple layers; historically used by Northeastern Native American nations for ceremonial beads and treaty belts
Mineral chemistry
Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) — shell of the Mercenaria mercenaria bivalve
Crystal system
Orthorhombic (aragonite)
Stone family
Organic shell
Common sizes
4mm6mm8mm(range runs 4mm–20mm)
Care notes
Soft and porous. Avoid ultrasonic, acids, and perfumes; clean with a mild damp cloth only.
Frequently asked questions
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What exactly is wampum?
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world — the Northern Quahog, a clam that lives along the New England coast. The shell's naturally white and purple layers create those gorgeous patterns you see in the beads. -
Why is purple wampum more special (and pricier) than white?
Only a small percentage of quahog shells have deep purple layers thick enough to cut into beads. That rarity is why deep-purple wampum strands command more than the lighter, whiter ones — it's simply harder to find good material. -
What bead shapes does wampum come in?
Lots! You'll find heishi, rondelle, round, and tube beads, plus fun carved shapes like crosses, clovers, butterflies, and flowers. Sizes run from tiny 4mm all the way up to bold 20mm pieces. -
Is wampum durable enough for jewelry?
Yes — quahog is one of the harder shells out there, which is part of what made it prized historically. As with most shell and softer materials, it'll last longest in necklaces and earrings rather than pieces that take daily knocks like rings. -
Does wampum pair well with other stones?
Beautifully. Wampum's purple-and-white palette is a natural match with spiny oyster — the contrasting colors look like they were made for each other. It also plays nicely with silver, turquoise, and warm coral tones.