Oosik jewelry is made from fossilized walrus parts. Yes, those parts. Let that sink in. Yep, your worst fears of what I am saying are true, but if I were to write out that part’s name, StyleBlueprint would suddenly be blocked from many a computer with strict filters, including my own. Perhaps I can say starts with “pen” ends with “is”? And, yes, there is jewelry out there made from it. Pretty jewelry. Gorgeous jewelry. But, the whole thing is just BIZARRE!
Let’s start at the beginning. One night recently, I was holding my breath in awe as I was checking out a jewelry designer from Atlanta, S. Carter Designs. I mean, this gal can make some really amazing and unique pieces. On the high of the thrill of discovery, I emailed one of our Atlanta writers and asked her to check out this collection. She writes back that she is equally enthralled, but not sure about the Walrus pen*s earrings. I’m stunned and immediately type, “WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?” She then sends me this photo with the description, found on the site:
I found myself terribly confused and had to look up the term “oosik,” curious how that, um, part, could be made into jewelry. I found my answer. In some mammals, the male’s part is actually made from bone. Ahhhh. Lightbulb. Lots of other euphemisms making sense now … Did you know this? I certainly was unaware. Completely.
You’re wondering how many animals share this trait, aren’t you? Well, I was wondering just that very same thing and found this explanation at www.tellmewhereonearth.com: “Yes, some animals do have a real bone as the sexual organ, such as seal, polar bear, raccoon, walrus, mink, coyote, beaver, river otter, badger and red fox! When they fossilize they are often used in carving knife handles. Large walrus oosiks are even made into cribbage boards!”
Knowing they could be made into cribbage boards only widened my curiosity. I had to know — what does a fossilized Walrus oosik (which I think is poor English as oosik means fossilzed–but I’m still not 100% sure) look like in its original state? Well, here you go:
But, back to the jewelry. They make conversation pieces, to be sure:
And, for the earrings above, a disclaimer on the size and color was given: “Each piece is unique and sizes, colors and shapes may vary from cream to tan, brown and sometimes grey.” Hmmm, in walruses too …
Apparently everyone finds oosiks funny, as seen from these photos from Dave Barry’s blog in 2009 at a Miami Herald gathering. Barry has had a running commentary for years on the humor of the oosik and he even owns one –he named it Walter. (Dave Barry is a humor columnist, in case you don’t follow him.)
I don’t know. I just might need some oosik earrings or a necklace for the novelty of it all. I’d like to wear them when meeting someone really important, or if I ever do another TV interview, so that I can be giggling inside to calm my nerves.
My research taught me that the larger oosiks are more valuable. All I can say is, “Duh.”
