This is a bold, wearable necklace that benefits from being virtually weightless. The ball dangling at the front of the shell also sits snugly behind the pendant like a pearl nestling in its shell. Only you will know that it is there. I am not able to find the marks for this but they are both stamped silver. The necklace has VCA stamped on it on the clasp and a symbol that looks like an open book.The necklace is strung on a silver wire. The shell is marked Taxaco Mexico sterling and has the same open book mark or it could be an eagle with the number 1 inside. This one is marked IN which I assume is the craftsman that made it. Anyone who knows these marks I would be thrilled to know more. Suffice to say these two pieces probably did not start out together, but make a stunning ensemble nevertheless.