abalone shell has been highly prized by jewelry makers for centuries, because it reflects the beauty of the ocean on a sunny day. Some call the Abalone's iridescent shell Mother of Pearl, but that term refers to the lining of an oyster shell.

Abalone shell offers a shimmering palette of colors, from blues and greens to sunset pinks and purples, all in one amazing piece.


Abalone Mosaic Bangle
This bracelet is the Metropolitan Museum's adaptation of the iridescent peacock blue Tessarae (tiles) that once encircled a column in Tiffany's showrooms on Madison Avenue. You can buy it at their website. Just click on the image.

Abalone jewelry is a great alternative to gemstone jewelry. It glitters, it's nature-made, it's beautiful, and it's very affordable. Because of its play of colors, you can wear Abalone jewelry with virtually anything. It accessorizes well with a myriad of colors. It can be casual or elegant, and it looks great with silver and gold.


Abalone Pendant
Purple, pink an gray cast Abalone, Jade, and china white beads

These highly-prized mollusks are also a delicacy in many cultures, found naturally in California, Japan and other Pacific regions. Abalones like to clamp tightly to rocky surfaces and dine on the algae floating by. Abalone cultivation began in the late 1950's and early 1960's in Japan and China. It grew rapidly in the 1990s, and is now widespread in many countries, including the USA, Mexico, South Africa, and Australia.

The largest cultured abalone producer in the world is China with over 300 farms and a total production of approximately 3500 tons. Worldwide, there are over 15 species of abalone which are farmed and commercially important. Species can live in water temperatures ranging from 2C to30C.

SOURCES
About Abalone
Abalone Shell Jewelry