Paua Shell Collective

The artists listed on this page are not known to us. Some of these pieces are made in New Zealand and some are made overseas. Many incorporate New Zealand Maori traditional designs.

The beautiful Paua shell is a species of abalone (Haliotis iris). Found only in the seas around New Zealand, this marine mollusk eats seaweed and clings to rocks at depths of 1-10 meters, along the shoreline. Paua shell is the most colourful of all the abalone shells. Others pale in comparison. Colours vary from greens and pinks to purples and blues. Some even have gold or crimson toning. The colours change when viewed from different angles, with an iridescence similar to that of Mother of Pearl shell, but far more brilliantly coloured.
The name Paua is the name given to this shell by the Maori people.