The Puka Shell Bracelet: A 1970s Accessory That Still Works Today

In vintage shop inventories, the code p110 almost always points to a puka shell bracelet—a strand of small, naturally perforated cone-shell fragments. It looks like a necklace, a hair tie, and a piece of beach jewellery all at once, which is why it still confuses collectors decades after the 1970s. When that code appears in a web address as “store p110 puka shell bracelet html”, the “html” part is just the page format. The useful information is the material and the code, not the file extension.

What Is a Puka Shell Bracelet?

Puka shells are the broken-off tips of cone snail shells. The word puka means “hole” in Hawaiian, and the shell’s natural opening creates a ready-made hole for stringing—no drilling needed. Each fragment is irregular, with a smooth inner surface and a slightly rougher outer surface. When strung together, the shells lie flat and catch the light from different angles.

Puka shell jewellery took off in the United States during the late 1960s and early 1970s. British fashion absorbed it through surf culture, imported magazines, and the growing market for “hippie” accessories. By the mid-1970s, puka bracelets were sold at seaside stalls and market shops across the UK. Both men and women wore them, often as a single strand or stacked with leather cords and beaded bracelets.

During the 1970s, the puka shell bracelet was often paired with other natural accessories: wooden beads, leather thongs, and simple metal bangles. In Britain, it was especially popular in coastal towns and university cities, where the bohemian look blended with a practical, outdoorsy wardrobe. The shells were light enough to be comfortable, but they made a soft, clicking sound when the wrist moved—a detail many collectors remember.

The puka shell bracelet never had the formal status of a pearl necklace, but it had a casual, tactile charm that suited the era’s preference for natural materials. It is also one of the few 1970s accessories that can be worn today without feeling like a costume.

Reading the p110 Code and the “HTML” Confusion

If you see a listing titled “store p110 puka shell bracelet html”, the p110 is a catalogue number, not a size or a date. In a small vintage shop, the letter p might stand for “puka” or for “personal ornament”; the number 110 is likely a sequence within a category. The important thing is that the code gives you a stable reference. If you are cataloguing your own collection, write the code on a small tag and keep it with the bracelet.

The “html” at the end of a product page title is a technical detail. It tells the browser how to render the page, and it says nothing about the bracelet’s age, material, or origin. Treat it as part of the website’s address, not as part of the object’s history.

If you are buying online, you may see p110 in the URL. That is useful if you want to return to the listing later, but it is not a mark of authenticity. A catalogue code is simply a way for the shop to keep track of its stock.

How to Identify a Vintage Puka Shell Bracelet

Natural puka shells have a matte, chalky texture and a colour that ranges from cream to pale brown. The edges are slightly rough, and the holes are not perfectly round because they follow the natural shape of the shell. A vintage bracelet will usually be strung on a fine cotton or silk cord, with a small silver or brass slide clasp. The shells themselves may show tiny surface marks from years of wear, but the cord should be intact.

• Look at the holes. They should be irregular and natural, not perfectly cylindrical.
• Feel the surface. Real shell is cool to the touch and slightly porous.
• Check the cord. Non-stretch cord is a good sign for a vintage piece; stretchy cord usually points to a later production.
• Examine the clasp. Small, simple clasps are more typical of the 1970s than ornate modern findings.

Charity shops in Britain often put puka bracelets into mixed jewellery lots, so the p110 tag may be missing. In that case, use the physical details above and treat the bracelet as an unnamed vintage find.

Storing a Puka Shell Bracelet: Practical Steps

Because puka shell is a natural material, storage conditions matter more than for metal or plastic accessories. The main enemies are sunlight, heat, and damp.

• Store flat in a cotton pouch or a small box lined with acid-free tissue. Do not hang the bracelet by its cord; the weight of the shells can stretch the thread over time.
• Keep it away from direct sunlight and radiators. Ultraviolet light can discolour the shells, and heat can make them brittle.
• Avoid airtight plastic bags. Shell needs to breathe, but it should not be exposed to damp. A cotton pouch inside a drawer is ideal.
• If the bracelet has a sliding knot, keep it closed but not tight. A loose knot puts less pressure on the cord.
• When you wear the bracelet, put it on after applying perfume, hairspray, or lotion. These products can leave a residue on the shell and weaken the cord.
• After a day of wear, wipe the shells gently with a soft, dry cloth before returning the bracelet to its pouch.

If you have several puka bracelets, do not keep them in the same pouch. The shells can chip each other. A small compartmentalised box is better than a pile in a drawer.

If the cord becomes frayed, do not throw the bracelet away. Take the shells to a jeweller or re-string them yourself with a fine cotton cord. The old cord can be kept as a reference for the original length and knot style.

Wearing a Puka Shell Bracelet Today

A puka shell bracelet works surprisingly well with a modern wardrobe. The neutral colour palette of the shells—cream, beige, soft brown—allows it to sit comfortably next to white linen, denim, or a simple knit. For a subtle 1970s nod, wear it with a tailored blazer and straight-leg trousers. For a more layered look, stack it with a leather cord or a thin silver bangle.

One of the most practical ways to use a puka shell bracelet as a hair accessory is to wrap it around a low ponytail or a loose bun. The shells catch the light and add a gentle texture that a plain elastic cannot. If the bracelet is too long, twist it twice around the hair and tuck the ends under. This is not a historically documented hairstyle, but it is a natural extension of the 1970s habit of using scarves and cords in hair.

For a formal event, a puka shell bracelet is not the obvious choice, but it can work as a contrast to a silk dress or a tailored suit. The key is to let the shells be the only textured accessory in the outfit.

For another example of how a single vintage accessory can carry a layered history, our collector’s guide to The Salome Headband traces a different piece from its original context to modern styling.

A Note on Materials and Care

Puka shells are fragile. They can chip if knocked against hard surfaces. When storing multiple bracelets, keep them in separate compartments so they do not rub against each other. The cord is the first thing to wear out; a small knot can be repaired, but a broken strand will scatter shells. Inspect the bracelet occasionally by running it through your fingers and checking for loose shells.

Puka shells are composed of calcium carbonate, which is why they react to acids. Lemon juice, vinegar, and some cleaning products can dull the surface. If you need to refresh the shells, wipe them with a barely damp cloth and dry them immediately.

If you buy a puka shell bracelet with a p110 tag, keep the tag. It may seem like a small detail, but it preserves the object’s provenance and makes future identification easier.

Before you put a puka shell bracelet away, check the cord once more. If a shell feels loose, re-knot it now, not after the strand breaks. A puka shell bracelet is a quiet piece of 1970s history; the p110 tag may be small, but it is the thread that connects the object to its shop-floor past.