Paua Shell Jewelry

Historically the Maori used the shells of the Paua sea snail in tools such as fishing lures as well as in their art works. Many times the eyes in wood and other carvings were crafted from this paua shell. Because this shell has such glittering, changing colors it gives the works of art a lively appearance. According to one Maori legend a villain who was asleep fooled his opponents by putting pieces of paua shell on his eye lids thus appearing awake.

Not only the Maori highly valued this natural source for its beauty. Nowadays many forms of paua shell jewelry are created. Especially popular are necklaces, bracelets, rings, (matching wedding rings from paua shell) earrings and other jewelry. Apart from the shell also blue paua pearls are much sought after. Due to overfishing and regulations wild paua pearls are very hard to find but there are also cultivated pearls which are used in jewelry also. These pearls are also referred to as fresh water pearls.

3 comments:

Jewelers Florida said...

I think this shell has such glittering, changing colors it gives the works of art a lively appearance.

vintage rings said...

I have never seen shell jewelry but have heard that they look very natural. I do have pearl jewelry and have collected all kinds of colored pearl too. Thanks for sharing the information about paua shell jewelry.

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