This pendant is the real heart of the ocean.

You see them being sold to tourists at crowded roadside stalls and you probably have one displayed on your bedroom mantle. Wherever they are, the Jamaican conch shell has proved to be more than a souvenir item for David Johnston.

With the help of his partners - brother-in-law Bunny Francis (the pioneer Jamaican conch harvester), nephew Ricky Francis and jewellers Georgia Brown and Freddie Lusan - Johnston has been able to turn his Sunday afternoon craft projects into a blossoming cottage industry.

Mahala, which means 'tenderness' in Hebrew, has become the namesake for Johnston's line of conch shell-inspired jewellery and is synonymous with the approximately 50-piece line. Not only is the jewellery meticulously handcrafted, but also it is of the highest quality - offering pieces, which include extremely rare pink pearls, created by the saltwater snail.

Once the shells have been collected, they are cleaned then cut into various shapes. After the metal work is completed for each individual piece, the shell is set into its metal holding and finally polished.

No two conch shells are exactly the same, so consumers are assured that each ring, bracelet, earring or chain is unique.

Certainly not selfish in his endeavours Johnston, who was initially funded by the Private Sector Development Company, hopes to expand his business and is eager to include more designers and jewellers and within a few years create job opportunities in the thousands.

With the creativity, drive and talent of the Jamaican people alongside the unlimited resource of one of the largest conch reserves in the world, Mahala Treasures is sure to accomplish what it was originally set out to do - offer an all-natural piece of elegant 'yard created' jewellery that is affordable to women everywhere.

The Mahala Treasures line is sold at Nard's in Loshusan, located at Barbican Centre.

Care for the Treasure

It's important to keep any Mahala Treasures piece in a dark jewellery box when not being worn, as the colour of the shell will fade if exposed to ultraviolet light for long periods.

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