What are the Paua and Abolone?

The Paua is a shellfish found only off the coast of New Zealand. The average paua shell is oval in shape and approximately 5 inches in length. Paua is mainly harvested for its meat, which is very similar to abalone. The shell is renowned for its deep blue, green and turquoise colors and is often worked into jewelry. Prior to European colonization of New Zealand native Maori made extensive use of paua for jewelry and the decoration of their figure carvings and tiki. Later it was used by Asian craftsmen for wood inlay boxes and carvings, also being worked into rings, pendants and earrings. New Zealand Paua is sometimes referred to as the opal of the sea due to the depth of its color.
The very near relation, Abalone, found in the warmer waters around Australia and the Americas and is a native to California is lighter in color and generally more often light pinkish and similar to mother of pearl. Locals have used the abalone shell for ornament since prehistoric times.
Brother John combs the markets of the world hand picking only the very best of both Paua and Abalone to feature in his works.