Pisces Earrings

These earrings are created by using bead embroidery techniques. A bezel is hand stitched around gemstones using gold coated Japanese glass beads to create the design. The stones used in this pair are vintage carved Mother of Pearl Fish with lovebirds on the belly. There is more information below about them.  They are connected with 14 karat gold filled findings and The backs are finished with ultra suede, a man-made fabric that holds up to the elements and this pair is 2 1/2 inches long.
The fish….Hand-carved in China between the 18th and early 19th centuries, these luminous mother-of-pearl fish tokens were originally created as gaming counters for export to the Western elite. Used in sophisticated card games such as Whist, Ombre, and Quadrille, they once passed across candlelit tables in the hands of European and American aristocracy.
Each piece was meticulously carved in Canton (now Guangzhou) from large mollusk shells using fine steel tools. Delicate scales, expressive eyes, and elegant silhouettes reveal the extraordinary craftsmanship of the artisans who created them.
The fish form carries deep symbolism in Chinese culture — representing luck, abundance, and shared prosperity — making these tokens meaningful beyond their original purpose. Many examples were commissioned by wealthy Western families and personalized with crests, coats of arms, or monograms, blending Eastern artistry with European identity.
Production declined after 1840 as gaming trends shifted, and today these tokens are highly sought-after collectibles. Whether preserved as a rare antique or thoughtfully reimagined into jewelry, each piece carries centuries of history, trade, symbolism, and story.
A small object with a grand past — luminous, storied, and timeless.