Paua Abalone
Paua is a species of abalone found along New Zealand shores, and as far north as the Philippines. The word Paua is actually Maori (a tribe in New Zealand) for Abalone. It is also known as rainbow abalone because it is the most colourful of all the abalone shells.
When viewed at different angles, the shell's color changes. The brilliant colours are from light being refracted within the crystal layers. Each shell is different in its' colour tonings, and in the patterns within the shell.
Today, Paua is cultured for both pearls and mother-of-pearl but is largely a by-product of the seafood industry, but because of the beauty of this shell and its relative thinness, paua shell tends to be more expensive.
There is no other shell in the world that has colours like the Paua Shell.
The Paua shell is the most colourful of all the abalone shells. Most other abalone are pale in comparison. It is differentiated from other abalone species by its bright, deep, irridescent colors that are most desirable in dark blues, purples and greens.
These shells are harvested in abalone fisheries in Philippine provinces like Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros, Samar, Surigao, Zamboanga, Palawan and Tawi-Tawi. These shells can grow up to 125mm.
See material catalog here.