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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, November 15, 2003

ISLAND TREASURES
Rare-shell necklace worth $1,500

By Brenda Reichel

Brenda Reichel inspects a Ni'ihau-shell lei. The tiny shells are only found on the western and northern shores of the island off Kaua'i, and it can take years to complete one strand of shells that all are of the same color.

Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

Q. I inherited a multistrand necklace of shells from my mother. I was told they were Ni'ihau shells. Can you tell me more about them?

— Tom Underwood, San Diego

A. Your mother had great taste in Hawaiiana. The shells are very rare and only come from the island of Ni'ihau. It takes many years to complete even one strand of shells with the same color. These shells are only found on the western and northern shores of the island.

The necklace you have has a value of $1,500. Crafters still make the necklaces today, but yours probably is from the 1960s. A book called "Ni'ihau Shell Leis," by Linda Paik Moriarty (University of Hawai'i Press, $42.95), can tell you more if you're interested.

Q. I have a knife that folds and has a patterned designed, with a signature for Vince Evans. What can you tell me about my knife?

— J. Jones, Honolulu

A. You have a knife made of patterned welded steel, known as Damascus. The metal takes its name from the city of Damascus. The metal is hand-forged, hammered and folded to form the various patterns in the metal.

The knife you have was forged by blade smith, Vince Evans, whose father was a blacksmith on O'ahu.

The knife is a lever-back, gentleman's folding knife with a "ladder" pattern. Vince and his wife live in Arizona and participate in knife shows on the Mainland.

Vince marks his knives with the Greek fish Christian symbols, along with three trees. The value of a Vince Evans custom Damascus folding knife is $1,200. Collectors have a waiting list for his knives.

There's a new book written by David Darom, "Art and Design in Modern Custom Folding Knives," that showcases a wide range of custom knife-makers. The photography in the book is excellent, along with the descriptions of knives and metalwork.

Q. I have a Disney jewelry box in the shape of an upright piano with several Disney characters. It plays the tune "Chim Chim Cheree" from "Mary Poppins." The bottom of the piano is marked "Japan." I have had this for more than 35 years. What can you tell me about it?

— Gladys Irwin, Missouri

A. Disney items are highly collectible. You have the Walt Disney Character Piano with Pluto, Goofy, Huey, Louie and Dewey. The sides of your piano are accented by Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. Depending on the paint and if the music plays well, it would be worth $50 to $150.

Brenda Reichel is the owner of Carats & Karats Fine Jewelry. She is a graduate gemologist and a member of the International Society of Appraisers, National Association of Jewelry Appraisers and Accredited Gemologists Association. Brenda is the host of Gemnews, a weekly radio program on KWAI 1080AM.

Have a family treasure and you're wondering what it's worth? Send your questions, along with a photo of the item, to: Brenda Reichel, Carats & Karats, 1254 S. King St., Honolulu, HI 96814 or flawless@lava.net.