Jewel Beetle Elytra Necklace Medium

Jewel Beetle Elytra Necklace 57 jewel Beetle wings adorn this necklace made with 277 jump rings and a sterling chain. It is made from the Elytra of the Jewel Beetle, the hardened forewing made of chitin. Very durable and EXTREMELY light! Natural colors. Insect jewelry has never looked more beautiful.

Earrings not included.

Elytra

An elytron is a modified, hardened forewing of certain insect orders, notably beetles. 

Beetles are generally characterized by a particularly hard exoskeleton and hard forewings (elytra).  The elytra must be raised in order to move the hind flight wings. 

The elytra of some Buprestidae species have been traditionally used in beetle wing jewelry and decoration in certain countries in Asia, like India, Thailand and Japan.

These beetle elytra come as a by-product of the Thai food industry. The rather large beetles are used as food, and the wings are thrown away.