The Quiet Strength of the Limpet
There’s a certain type of beach treasure you don’t even realise you’re looking for until you find it. A pebble that fits perfectly in your hand. A piece of sea glass softened by the tide. Or, in this case, a limpet shell – sturdy, small, and full of story.
I found the original limpet shell for this necklace tucked under the red and white cliffs at Hunstanton, where the boulders are often covered in seaweed and the sea pulls in and out with that familiar, soothing rhythm. The shell was perfectly shaped, worn by the sea, and I think just waiting for me!
Hunstanton, affectionately known as “Sunny Hunny”, is one of Norfolk’s most iconic seaside towns. Unusually for this stretch of coastline, it faces west, meaning it enjoys golden evening light and sunsets over the sea – rare and magical on the east coast. The cliffs themselves are layered in chalk and reddish limestone, each telling a story millions of years old. The beach below is a place of childhood holidays, dog walk adventures, and quiet moments of reflection.
And then, there’s the limpet.
A Shell with Staying Power
Limpets have lived along Britain’s rocky shores for over half a billion years. Their conical shells, which look deceptively simple, are actually marvels of natural engineering. A limpet’s grip is so strong that it can resist crashing waves and even predators trying to prise it off. It always returns to the exact same spot on the rock after feeding – its “home scar” – creating a little dent over time that fits its body perfectly.
There’s something deeply comforting in that. The idea of having a place in the world that’s wholly your own. A place you return to. A place you hold onto.
To me, this makes the limpet a quiet symbol of strength, resilience, and belonging – something that feels especially powerful when carried close, like a necklace.
From Shell to Silver
The original shell was small enough to nestle in my hand. I brought it back to the workshop, cleaned it carefully, and began the casting process. I use the sand casting technique, which allows me to capture every tiny ripple and ridge of the shell’s surface. It starts with making an impression of the shell in a sand and clay mix, melting the silver and pouring it in to the impression.
This means that what you wear is not just a stylised version, but a true, silver reflection of that moment by the sea – of me crouched under the cliffs at Hunstanton, lifting a limpet shell and gently carrying it home.
Every detail is preserved. Every line tells a story of sea and stone and time.
A Piece of the Coast to Carry With You
We all carry memories of summer holidays – the smell of sun tan lotion and salt, the feel of warm stones underfoot, the thrill of discovering something beautiful on the beach - the ice creams! The limpet shell necklace is my way of preserving that feeling. A piece of the coast you can carry with you, long after the sand has been brushed off and the suitcase put away.
I’m currently redesigning my beach bangles to give them a soft refresh – new textures, updated shapes – but the Hunstanton bangle will still feature this limpet shell. It wouldn’t feel right without it. Some things stay the same, even as the tides change.
If you’d like to take a little piece of the Norfolk coast home, you can find the limpet shell necklace here
