This is a marine mollusc found only in the cool shallow waters off the coast of New Zealand.
There is no other shell in the world that has the beautiful lustrous colours of the Paua shell, colour that varies from purples and blues to greens and pinks.
Each shell is unique in its colour tones and in the patterns within the shell's naturally occurring structure.
Layers of protein form the darker patterns in the shell and the brilliant iridescent colours are created when light is refracted within the crystal layers, the same effect creates the colours found in pure opal.
THE ENVIRONMENT
The harvesting of Paua is carefully managed and controlled.
There is a quota management system with strictly enforced regulations controlling the size and amount of Paua taken.
Shells are only gathered by free divers, the use of scuba equipment is strictly prohibited. This ensures that the diver's time underwater is limited and the amount of Paua shell harvested at any one time is minimised.
MAORI TRADITION
Paua shell has traditionally been used by the Maori people for hundreds of years.
It is used to illuminate the bright eyes of figures depicted in their wood carvings and artwork.
The shell is a by-product of catching Paua for its meat. Paua is a shellfish and is eaten as a traditional delicacy by the Maori, paticularly at weddings.
Paua meat is also exported to Asia where it is regarded as a supreme delicacy.
