Iridescent Abalone Jewelry

From the outside, the abalone is a chunky, plain looking mollusk with a thick irregular shell from the genus Haliotis. When opened however, the abalone reveals a shimmering, iridescent interior made of nacre, the substance secreted by certain mollusks as a means to insulate the shell and to hold off bacterial infections and parasites. When you realize that nacre is what mollusks used to form pearls, it is no surprise to find that abalone is prized in jewelry making and incorporated into many other devices and products.

Abalone is valued for the rich color of its nacre which can range from silvery white to green-red to deep blues, purples and pinks depending on the species. The abalone can be found worldwide but mainly in South Africa, California, the Channel Islands, Japan and New Zealand.

Paua is the name given to abalone from New Zealand in the Maori language. Paua shells are extremely popular for jewelry making, as they have a striking blue, green and purple iridescence that distinguishes this species from the other varieties.

Due to its exceptionally strong shell and startling natural loveliness, abalone shell had often been carved and polished into jewelry for thousands of years. This material has found its way into modern jewelry as well. With its ability to catch the light and throw back a breathtaking variety of colors and sheen, abalone shell makes beautiful earrings, bracelets, rings and pendants when inlaid into sterling silver setting.

Abalone jewelry is available in a wide range of styles, from sleek contemporary designs to Victorian styles. You can also find abalone dangle earrings in all shapes and sizes, abalone cross pendants and abalone heart rings. A skilled artist can even carve a piece of shell into a tiny, wearable sculpture. Abalone jewelry is considered organic jewelry, meaning that it originates from a living creature or plant.

The shell of the abalone also has other uses. It can be cut into various shapes and laminated to ceramic tile or as inlays on furniture and musical instruments such as the guitar. It can also be used for decorative purposes on mirrors, trinket boxes and handmade boxes.

A little care for your abalone jewelry will ensure it still brings you a lifetime of pleasure. Use a damp soft cloth to clean your abalone jewelry. Never use abrasives or chemicals or an ultrasonic cleaner. It is also recommended that you remove your abalone jewelry when you do gardening or exercise to protect it from hard knocks.

Visit 925SilverSheek today and shop from our trendy range of sterling silver abalone jewelry. We ship worldwide.

Find The Perfect Cameo
The classic portrait featured a cameo makes it one of the easiest types of jewelry to identify. But some pieces are only wort...

Estate And Antique Jewelry - What You Need To Know
Estate jewelry is a term used to describe second hand, or previously owned jewelry. Estate jewelry is often confused with an...

Fine Jewelry - Where To Buy Fine Jewelry For Her?
Are you thinking of buying a fine jewelry for your lover? If yes, do you know where to get quality fine jewelry? Let me just ...

The Cameo - Cheap Knock-Off Or Prized Collectible?
Few of us have any problem recognizing the classic portrait on a cameo but it can be more difficult trying to estimate value....

5 Things to Know When Shopping for Pearls and Pearl Jewelry
Pearls are unique in the gemstone world because they are the only gemstones that are created by living organisms. Each one o...

Fine Jewelry - How To Get The Right Fine Jewelry For Your Her
Women are attracted to fine jewelry. Therefore if you want to please your woman, fine jewelry is your best bet. But what kind...

Fine Jewelry - Caring for Your Fine Jewelry To Make Them Last
Fine jewelry needs extra care to make them preserve its beauty and making it to last longer. If you just leave your fine jewe...

Your Status and Your Jewelry
Many people view their jewelry as somewhat of a status symbol. They feel that their jewelry will speak to others about who t...

Fine Jewelry Tips - How to Store Old Jewelry
The temptation of buying a piece of fine jewelry is always there; where you may end up buying a lot of jewelry that you only ...

That Special Piece of Jewelry
For most women, jewelry is at the top of their list of things that they need for their daily life. You will not find many Da...

Jewelry Shopping Checklist - Enjoy Your Purchase
This jewelry shopping checklist provides you with the more important information you should get from a jeweler. When shopping...

Fine Jewelry - Why Buy Fine Jewelry on The Internet?
There are lots of fine jewelry retailers on the Internet whereby they offer a wide range of fine jewelry. Jewelry is a univer...

Tahitian Pearls
When Oro, the Polynesian god of peace and fertility, came down to earth to find a mortal wife, he traveled the rainbow where ...

Fine Jewelry Tips - Fine Jewelry Shopping Tips
It is always fun to shop for the decorative accessories no matter whether you are looking for fine or fashion jewelry. The mo...

Choosing Your Favorite Jeweler
There are many different jewelry stores that offer many different things. Each store will generally offer their own special ...

Fine Jewelry the Gift of Wealth
Fine jewelry is jewelry that is made from precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum, embedded with precious gemstones. ...

Jewelry Storage Tips
Did you know that some jewelry boxes can actually do more harm than good? Are you storing your jewelry the right way? Imprope...

5 Key Factors to Buying Jewelry
Investing your hard earned money into a rare piece of jewelry is not a decision that you should take lightly. The goal of pur...

Know The Facts Before Purchasing Bridesmaids Jewelry
Bridal attire and accessories account for 10% the cost of the average wedding. Making the right choices for the wedding is im...

Keeping Sterling Silver Looking Great
Sterling silver jewelry can look wonderful as long as it is maintained properly. Because of the make up of sterling silver, ...