Silver Linings, a sterling silver and gemstone jewelry store with locations in St. Michaels and Easton, is proud to announce a collaboration with the Horn Point Laboratory Oyster Hatchery in Cambridge, MD, one of the largest oyster hatcheries on the East Coast.

For every sterling silver Oyster & Crab Pendant and Pin/Pendant sold, $20 will be donated to the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Horn Point Laboratory Oyster Hatchery. Horn Point Oyster Hatchery produces oyster larvae to be used for research, restoration, and educational projects. As a result of the hatchery’s spawning efforts, over 3.5 billion oyster spat (essentially “baby oysters”) have been deployed to the Chesapeake Bay over the last decade.

The beautifully detailed sterling silver Oyster & Crab Pendant and Pin/Pendant feature a 14k gold vermeil crab and hidden bale. The pendent retails for $85, while the larger pin/pendant retails for $145. The $20 donation program will continue through October.

“This is one of my favorite pieces because of what the oyster represents to the health of the Chesapeake Bay,” says Aida Leisure, owner of Silver Linings.

“We are very pleased to work with Silver Linings,” says Stephanie Alexander, Oyster Hatchery manager. “Oysters are so important to the entire Chesapeake Bay, and we hope this campaign will help to spread awareness about the importance of oysters and raise concern about the low numbers of oysters in the Bay.”

Oysters are crucial to the health and cleanliness of the Chesapeake Bay. These filter feeders serve as “vacuum cleaners” for the Bay’s entire aquatic ecosystem — a single oyster can filter over 50 gallons of water per day. The abundance of oysters in local bodies of water is important to both the ecological and economic systems we rely on. Crassostrea virginica (the Eastern Oyster) is native to the Bay. Each year, Horn Point Oyster Hatchery begins spawning these oysters in April.

For more information about the Horn Point Laboratory Oyster Hatchery, visit www.hpl.umces.edu/hatchery. The Oyster & Crab Pendant or Pin/Pendant may be purchased at one of Silver Linings’ retail stores or online at www.silverliningsmd.com.

About Silver Linings
Silver Linings captures the essence of fun and fashion with innovative jewelry designs in sterling silver and gemstones. From internationally recognized designers to trendy collectible lines like Chamilia and Kameleon, Silver Linings has something for everyone. Customers can shop online or visit one of the retail locations in St. Michaels or Easton, MD. Recently named “Best Silver Jewelry Store on the Eastern Shore,” Silver Linings is committed to supporting local non-profits through events and fundraisers. Aida Leisure, owner, was named the 2011 Talbot County Chamber of Commerce’s Business Woman of the Year. Learn more at http://www.silverliningsmd.com/ or contact Aida Leisure at 410.745.2626 or dbsjewel@verizon.net.