Contemporary Breastplate-All of Me Collection

Contemporary Breastplate

This contemporary breastplate was created as a form of cultural armor—a piece that can be worn as a reminder of protection, strength, and carrying our culture with us wherever we go.

The breastplate features 100 two-inch shells, with 50 shells on each side. The shells alone took over 8 hours of hands-on work to create, not including the additional time required for the dyeing process to achieve their color.

I intentionally incorporated black obsidian and jet hematite into this piece because both have long been associated with protection in metaphysical practices. Black obsidian is often believed to help absorb or shield against negative energy and encourage grounding, while hematite is commonly associated with grounding, stability, and protection. These meanings are spiritual or metaphysical beliefs rather than scientifically established properties, but they fit the intention behind this breastplate: creating something that feels like a layer of protection when it is worn.

The structure and hardware are made with stainless steel for tarnish resistance and longevity. The breastplate is fully adjustable and was designed as a unisex piece, fitting approximately XXS–3XL.

• 100 two-inch shells
• 8+ hours of work on the shells, not including dyeing time
• Black obsidian stones
• Jet hematite stones
• Stainless steel construction and hardware
• Tarnish resistant
• Adjustable fit from XXS–3XL
• Unisex design
• One-of-a-kind heirloom piece

Care: This is an heirloom piece and should be handled and stored with care. The natural shells can break, crack, or become damaged if dropped, crushed, or handled roughly. Store the breastplate where the shells are protected and avoid placing heavy items on top of it.