Paua shell earrings Drops

Drop earrings made of paua shells with an unmistakable iridescent play of colors. The earrings have a afro pendant made of jewelry metal, length is approx. 5 cm (after hanging in the ear). Illustrative image.

The box is not included with the earrings.

Paua is a species of abalone (Haliotis Iris) mussel from the seas of New Zealand. Its original inhabitants, the Maori, call it "Paua Te Koha a Tangaroa" - Gift of the Sea God. Maori legend says that the paua is a special gift from Tangaroa, the god of the sea.
Found only on the coasts of New Zealand where it lives on rocky shores, the best paua shells come from the southern waters around NZ. It lives at a depth of about 10 meters suspended on rocky outcrops. Paua is the most colorful shell of the abalone species, no other shell in the world has such bright and full colors. The color shades of the paua shell go from green pink, through purple blue to golden or crimson tones. When shooting in light at different angles, it changes colors and turns them into a rainbow. With its changing play of colors, it is similar to opal crystals.

Paua was traditionally used by the Maori in the creation of their artistic carvings, especially the eyes of their statues. The red-colored mother-of-pearl was used for the eyes of Maori warrior statues, which glittered so red. Paua has great importance in Maori traditions, it is essential for wedding ceremonies and other celebrations.

Today, paua is used to make jewelry and its shards to make costume jewelry.