New Zealand Paua Shell
Learn More about Paua
Haliotis Shells We have a small group of shells collectively
known as paua, unique only to New Zealand. The group comes from
the worldwide family Haliotidae, which contains nearly 130
species from oceans in both tropical and temperate zones. These
shellfish have been used for food since ancient times and have
figured largely in the diet of coastal Maori. Most countries
have their own local names, Abalone (North America), Ormer
(Guernsey), Mutton Fish (Australia and early NZ) and Awabi
(Japan) being some of the best known.
Paua is the most colourful shell in the world, other abalone
have some colour, but not the brilliance of Paua.
There are three types of Paua:
Paua - Haliotis Iris The largest, commonest and best known of
our species. The shellfish is black and the interior of the
shell has cloudy waves of rainbow colours with blues and green
being dominant. The shells were used by the Maori to add a gleam
of life to the eyes in their carved figures. Today we process
them into attractive jewellery and gifts.
Silver Paua - Haliotis Australis A smaller species readily
distinguished by the silvery lustre of the inside, the cross
ridging of the outside and by the yellowish colour of the animal
when found alive. It lives in the same localities as the large
paua but is not so common.
Virgin Paua - Haliotis virginea A much smaller and rarer shell,
this paua occurs as two subspecies, one from the southern areas
and one from the north. Both are most attractive and strongly
coloured shells. The shellfish is a dirty whitish colour and is
not often seen alive.
Paua are marine monovalve molluscs that eat seaweed and live
clinging to rocks at depths of 1 - 10 metres. They can be found
around most of the NZ rocky shoreline. However, the larger and
finer specimens, are found in the cold waters around Stewart
Island and Southland. This is where we get the shells used in
the making of our jewellery as their colour is more vibrant.
The holes in the shell are for breathing and reproduction.
Starfish are the Paua's most formidable predator as they have
learnt to suffocate the Paua by putting their tentacles over the
breathing holes thus forcing the paua to let go of the rock.
Environmentally sound and sustainable management practices of
the paua fisheries are in place in New Zealand. There is a quota
system, which is strictly enforced for the gathering of paua by
both commercial and individual fishermen. No compressed air
diving is allowed in the filling of these quotas. All paua
gathered must be at least 125mm (5 inches) in size. There are
stiff penalties for those caught removing undersize shells.
Cleaning Paua Shells Only some paua shells can have the lime
taken off without damaging the shell. Some will be too thin and
brittle and will crack once cleaning starts.
We have been asked on numerous occasions about cleaning shell
using acid. Please note that we do not and will not ever use
acid to clean our shells. We advise that you do not try this
method.
In our factory we use diamond wheels to grind the lime off. If
you do not have access to a diamond wheel grinder then we advise
a coarse grade of sand paper around 150 grit through to fine
sandpaper of about 600 grit. Use a wet and dry paper with plenty
of water this will help avoid any dust. This will leave a semi
gloss finish. If a high gloss is preferred we recommend the use
of a buffing wheel with some form of rouge, this can be bought
from a hardware store.
This whole process may take an hour or two for each shell and it
will require plenty of elbow grease.