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Paua is a Species of Abalone (Haliotis Iris)
Paua Shell is only found in the sea around New Zealand.
This marine mollusk eats seaweed and lives clinging to rocks at a depths of 1-10 meters,
normally along the shoreline. Paua Shell is the most colorful of all the abalone shells.
Most other abalone are pale in comparison.
There is no other shell in the world that has the color like Paua Shell.
Their color varies from greens and pinks to purples and blues
and even some shells with gold or crimson tonings.
The color in the paua shell changes when viewed from different angles.
This iridescence, similar to that of the Mother of Pearl shell,
but far more brilliant, is what makes paua shell so amazing as a gem material
for use in jewelry. It is truly one of nature's marvels.
Each shell is different in it's color tonings, and in the patterns within the shell.
The black patterns in the shell come from layers of protein
that are laid down between the layers of calcium that make up the shell.
The brilliant colors are from light being refracted within the crystal layers.
The same effect as that of the iridescent color found in Opals.
Paua shell was traditionally used by the Maori people
in New Zealand to illuminate the eyes of their carving and artwork.
The reddish colored shells were most prized for depicting
the flashing red eyes of the warrior.
The use of paua shell in all manner of jewelry and sculpture
has become a distinctive feature of New Zealand artwork.
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