These are 1/4 pound bags of New Zealand paua shell pieces.
As this is a natural product, you will receive shells very close to the ones shown, but not the exact shells in the photographs.
Gloss Finish Drilled Paua Pieces are tumbled to a high gloss finish and each piece is drilled with a hole at the top. They are processed using hydrochloric acid and the pieces tend to be flatter and thinner than the satin finish pieces.
Some pieces will be very nicely tumbled and polished. Some will have rougher edges. Some quantity will have chips or be broken. We are not selling the paua as flawless, individually packaged pieces.
There are many uses for the tumbled pieces. They are great for inlay work. They can be put in the bottom of an aquarium or fountain for decoration. They can be used for jewelry.
Paua is the species of abalone shell (Haliotis iris) found only in the cold waters of southern New Zealand. The coloring varies from shell to shell and has an amazing iridescence. The lighting in the photo above does not do justice to the array of colors found in these pieces. The pieces vary in size and shape and come from shells that have been tumbled to a natural, satin, or high gloss finish. Please note that there will be some degree of broken or chipped shells.
The government of New Zealand strictly controls the harvesting of abalone for food. The shells are a natural by-product.
A USFWS export permit is required for all shipments outside the USA.
Paua are not an endangered species and are not subject to CITES controls.