Eye of Saint Lucy

The Eye of Saint Lucia is a fascinating natural object, both a jewel and a lucky charm, surrounded by legends, particularly in the Mediterranean.

🌊 Natural origin

The Eye of Saint Lucia is actually the operculum of a marine shell called the Rugose Turbo ( Bolma rugosa ). This operculum is a kind of calcareous "lid" that the shell uses to close and protect itself. When it dies, this operculum can detach and wash up on beaches.

  • Flat face (white or pearly) : The inner face, sometimes shiny.

  • Domed face (orange or brown spiral) : The outer face, which resembles an eye, hence its name.

🧿 Symbolic meaning and beliefs

The Eye of Saint Lucia is considered a lucky charm and a protective talisman in many regions, notably in Corsica and Sardinia .

  • Protection against the evil eye

  • Luck and prosperity

  • Health and love

  • Some believe that he protects sailors and travelers.

🙏 Christian legend

Christian tradition associates this shell with Saint Lucy of Syracuse , a 4th-century Sicilian martyr, patron saint of the blind and sight.

According to the legend:

To dedicate herself to God, Lucy is said to have torn out her own eyes. As a reward, God granted her even better sight. The shell's operculum thus symbolizes this "offered eye."

💍 Use in jewelry

The Eye of Saint Lucia is often used to create:

  • Pendants

  • Bracelets

  • Earrings

  • Key ring

Its unique appearance makes it a decorative natural piece , sometimes set in silver or gold.

📍 Where to find it?

It is mainly found on the beaches of the western Mediterranean :

  • Corsica

  • South of France

  • Italy (especially Sardinia)

  • Spain

It is increasingly rare in the Mediterranean and today most of the opercula come from the Indian Ocean.

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It was in the 4th century that the legend of Saint Lucy was born: a young girl from the Syracuse nobility who obtained the miraculous healing of her mother suffering from an incurable illness through repeated prayers to the Virgin Mary. Devoting worship and a limitless devotion to the latter, she tore out her eyes and threw them into the sea so as not to be distracted from her faith and keep her suitors away. Entirely turned towards prayer, she performed a number of miracles. In response to this devotion, the Blessed Virgin, restored his sight and gave him more beautiful and brighter eyes ("Occhji belli e lucentti"). The cover of the shell called the "Turbo Rugueux" which is found on the Mediterranean shores symbolizes the eyes of Saint Lucia. Wearing one is said to ward off the evil eye and promote good luck. It should be noted that variants of this symbolism are found throughout the Mediterranean basin and beyond (particularly in Indonesia). Corsica “the eye of Saint Lucia” is considered a lucky charm.