New Zealand Jewelry Gift Ideas
Made From Paua

Photo courtesy of Peti Deuxmont

Photo courtesy of Richard A.

Paua jewelry gift ideas shine with characteristic brilliance of colour shades ranging from green to light and dark blue to violet and pinks. It’s one of nature’s wonders changing its appearance with the reflection of light. Their inner coat consists of nacre better known as mother of pearl. Black pattern in the nacre underline the colour and ad a quality of deepness.

The creative energy stimulated by the material’s beauty generates New Zealand jewelry in many styles. While new technology enhances the use in a vast variety of decorative accessories.

See some beautiful examples of paua and pearl jewellery.

Paua shell is unique to New Zealand’s shoreline clinging on rocks in water depths from 1-10m. Though found all over New Zealand they prefer the colder waters of the South Island in particular Stuart Island. Paua shells are part of the abalone group. More illustrative terms are ear shells and sea ears. The row of holes on the flat shell is a feature of the abalone that supports their respiration and breeding.

In Maori tradition these sea snails were sought after delicacies. Whereas the shells were used as lure in fishing and to accentuate carvings of the traditional meeting house the marae. There the eyes on manaia carvings were enlivened with inlays of paua through their ability to change with light.

Paua desired for their shells to use for jewelry gift ideas and for their flesh are managed by the ministry of fisheries to guarantee sustainability. This means commercial and individual fishing pursue a ration system. Included are regulations about size, quantity and restriction on air supported diving methods are in place.

The amount to gather is limited to 10 paua shells per person. The shells minimal length is 125 mm measured on the outer site rather than on the round part. Offended regulations lead to consequences.

This approach fosters a bright future for paua shell jewelry and ongoing availability for commercial and individual dietary demand.


Commercial paua farming

First this came up at the end of the 80’s. Pioneers intended to farm paua as a side income stream to other fishery activities. A Korean scientist approached the farmer to run experiments on paua stock similar to commercially produced pearls in Korea. Goal was to initiate the production of paua pearls to make this rare finding in nature more common.

With that a new idea and product was borne. The result was a fascinating iridescent pearl that conquered the fish farmer’s heart. After years of developing the best method to set off the production of pearls, foster their growth, and finally to introduce them to the world market patience and perseverance paid of. Intriguing jewellery embellished with these magnificent Blue Abalone Pearls gain consumer hearts.


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