This article tells you everything you need to know about abalone (paua shell), such as what it is, how it works, what it can do for you, and what benefits it has. Lets get started!.
Abalone are a type of mollusk found all around the world. Their shells are incredibly strong and they are believed to hold healing properties. The shell you see is not a stone; it was made by living things instead of minerals like carbon or silicon. This very soothing “bio-crystal” has a great reputation for both its physical and energetic properties. The following article will provide a complete guide on the abalone shell.
You may have heard of abalone before and it is sometimes mistaken for a stone. But abalone, which looks and acts like a gemstone, is not crystalline; it’s the shell of a marine snail. More specifically, it refers to the shells of different species of small to very large marine gastropod mollusks.
The shell’s inside is very thick, and in many species, it has a pretty opalescent layer that sparkles and moves. This layer is called nacre. It is highly iridescent and is widely used for decorative purposes as mother-of-pearl.
Abalone (æbəloʊni) has various pronunciations as with any other animal found in multiple vicinities around the globe. Generally, it is pronounced with an open, flat “a-(like cat) buh-loan”.
Other known names for abalone are ear shells, sea ears, sometimes mutton fish or mutton shells in Australia. The name for it in South Africa is perlemoen, and the Maori word for it is pÿua. In the UK, it’s called ormer.
The iridescent, swirling colors of abalone shell make it a popular material for jewelry, decor, and other crafts. But with its rarity and expense, abalone products are also common targets of counterfeiting. So how do you know if an abalone shell is the real deal or just a convincing fake?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover the unique properties of abalone shell, key identification tests anyone can use at home, examples of counterfeit shells and materials to watch out for, plus extra tips for sourcing authentic abalone products. Read on to become an abalone authentication expert!
What Makes Abalone Shell So Special?
Abalone shell derives its stunning rainbow of colors from the sea creature it protects—the abalone mollusk As the creature grows, its shell accumulates nacre, a material that refracts light to produce iridescent shades of green, blue, pink, orange, red and purple
No two abalone shells look exactly alike due to this organic growth process. The shell’s colors and patterns are totally unique, similar to fingerprints. Authentic abalone also has a translucent, pearlescent quality that artificial materials cannot truly duplicate.
4 Simple Tests to Spot Fake Abalone
Don’t get duped by cheap abalone imitations. Use these easy methods to determine if a shell is the real McCoy:
1. Check for Natural Imperfections
Real abalone shell contains natural irregularities in its patterns left by the mollusk inhabitant Fakes have uniform, repetitive patterns
2. Look Against Strong Light
Hold the abalone up to a bright light. Real nacre will look translucent, while fakes opaque.
3. Feel for Cold Temperature
Abalone shell feels noticeably cool or cold to the touch due to its properties Fakes won’t capture this temperature
4. Test Magnetism
Authentic abalone is slightly magnetic due to containing iron. Run a magnet over the surface to double check.
If in doubt, consult with a jeweler or abalone expert to professionally verify the shell’s authenticity.
What Materials Pass Off As Fake Abalone?
Counterfeiters try duplicating abalone’s dazzling colors in various materials, hoping to dupe buyers. Here are some common imposters:
Plastic Laminates
Plastic laminates like Formica may have surface patterns that mimic abalone. But plastic lacks nacre’s depth and luster.
Mother of Pearl
Shell from pearl oysters is sometimes sold fraudulently as abalone. Check for thickness and color saturation.
Dymalux
This patented plastic with color embedded throughout appears in counterfeit jewelry and guitars. No natural variations.
Polymer Clay
Abalone-effect patterns are popular in faux jewelry made from polymer clay. Noticeably lightweight.
Alumina
Some fakes are made from this modified ceramic compound printed with abalone patterns. Feels ceramic.
Stay vigilant about these common fake abalone materials and rely on testing to be sure of authenticity. Don’t pay premium prices for imitations!
Expert Tips for Finding Genuine Abalone Products
While abalone fraud is rampant in tourist markets, you can source the real thing with care:
-
Buy directly from reputable jewelers, artisans or dealers who verify their abalone is authentic.
-
Check certifications like Gemological Institute of America reports. This confirms abalone species and location.
-
Look for pieces with natural imperfections that indicate hand carving, not machine work.
-
Opt for vintage or antique abalone pieces, as forgeries flourished recently.
-
Avoid buying abalone products in countries where abalone is illegal to harvest. This includes China.
With a trained eye informed by this guide, you can successfully navigate the abalone market. Trust your senses and conduct basic tests to enjoy the singular beauty of genuine abalone shell. Don’t settle for pale imitations!
The Takeaway: Verify Abalone Authenticity Before Purchase
Abalone shell is prized for its rarity and stunning natural colors produced by the living mollusk. Unfortunately, this also makes abalone a prime target for fakes and frauds trying to earn money from counterfeit shell materials and imitation nacre patterns.
With the simple identification tests provided here, you can easily discern real abalone from fakes. Check for translucent colors, natural imperfections, cold temperature, and magnetism. Avoid common fake materials like plastics and polymer clay. Being an informed buyer is key to finding authentic abalone jewelry, decor items and other products you’ll treasure for a lifetime.
Where to Find Abalone Shells
Some of the places around the world where you can find these shells are Australia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States, and New Zealand.
People used to dive for abalone all the time, but now most places around the world don’t let regular people do it. It’s risky to do it now, sometimes because of the tides and sometimes because of the competition because it’s so popular.
Taking abalone out of the water is against the law in most of South Africa, California, and Australia, where it may be found. People with licenses have to follow rules, like the smallest size at which the mollusk can be taken out.
Abalone shells are tough and hard, with a flat oval shape and a shimmering interior. Calcium carbonate stacks of protein make up the thick layer of shell and the extra nacre. This makes for a very strong material, even though it feels light and soft to the touch. The abalone shell is said to withstand the weight of a truck and last a hundred years.
Abalone is a mysterious compound, produced gradually deep below, in spite of the rough tides of the sea. The vibrational frequency as a result is reported to be calming and harmonizing. It makes you more intuitive, clear-headed, and sensitive to yourself and others, all of which are very helpful for becoming more self-aware. Abalone can get rid of bad energy in any space after a traumatic or emotional event. It also helps with stress relief and emotional balance. This is particularly helpful for those who may struggle with motivation.
In Native American cultures, the abalone shell is used as a smudge bowl to burn sage in. They believed that the abalone and sage together would carry their messages up to heaven. Abalone is used in The Sunrise Ceremony, an Apache tradition that marks the transition of a girl into a woman.
Because it tends to bring about pure oneness and connection, or rather divine connection, abalone is often used in rituals that clean. The crown chakra, third eye and heart chakra are particularly benefited by abalone. According to some, mixing sage and abalone can help you connect with the ocean’s vibrational frequencies and connect your higher chakras with God. This can help with a number of things, such as reducing inflammation that can affect your bones and joints, relieving muscle pain and arthritis, making your heart stronger, improving your eyesight, and preventing allergies and other skin problems.
Abalone vs Mother of Pearl
Difference Between said it succinctly; “…the key difference between abalone and mother of pearl is that abalone is an organism whereas mother of pearl is the internal layer found in the shell of this organism.” This basically means that the iridescent mother-of-pearl is found inside of abalone shells, and so where mother-of-pearl (or nacre) is only part of the abalone shell, needless to say, the abalone shell is the entire mollusk shell.
Each species of abalone has its own shell color, shape, and pattern. The shells are usually white or gray, but they can be red or pink, yellow, green, blue, or purple.
The red abalone, which is mostly found in California, is said to work with the body’s kundalini energy and help people get what they want. This poisonous mollusk species is Haliotis rufescens, and usually has a lifespan of about 50 years.
People say that shells from the same species that look more pink or orange are especially soothing and protective.
Green abalone shell is commonly used for development of ones outer self. The species is Haliotis fulgens. People who wear this green pãua shell are said to see things more clearly, which is good for growing up and understanding things better.
Derived from the mollusk named Haliotis sorensi, the white abalone shells signify purity. Wearing white abalone assists in the cleansing of toxins.
At times, the shell can appear a light grey, or off-white with specks of white. These shells have such depth and are ideal for harnessing the healing properties of abalone. If you need to be motivated or get your mind off of something, the gray abalone are perfect.
Blue abalone is said to have mystical influence on the bearer. It comes in many blues and sometimes even indigo, and it is said to give people more courage and hope.