What is a paua shell?
The Magic of the Paua Shell: A Dazzling Piece of New Zealand
Anyone familiar with our story knows: New Zealand is where the Salty Dreamers dream began. That’s why the stunning Paua shell holds a very special place in our collections. It is the shimmering heart of many of our jewelry pieces, bringing the wild beauty of the New Zealand coast directly to you.
A True Wonder of Nature
The fascinating Paua belongs to the abalone family and is found exclusively on the untouched coasts of New Zealand. Biologically, it is a sea snail that lives on rocks in the ocean and feeds on algae. The characteristic small holes on the edge of the shell are no coincidence – they serve for respiration and reproduction in the wild ocean.
New Zealand's waters are world-renowned for their exceptional purity and extremely high mineral content. These specific conditions give the Paua shell its distinctive, intensely iridescent color and remarkably robust shell.
Tradition and Strict Sustainability
Because this shell is unique worldwide, New Zealand has extremely strict rules for its harvesting. To protect stocks and preserve nature, Paua may only be harvested using traditional free-diving methods – the use of oxygen tanks or heavy diving equipment is strictly prohibited!
The name "Paua" comes from the Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand. For them, the shell has deep cultural significance, and the meat is considered a traditional delicacy.
Upcycling in its most beautiful form 🌊
The main reason for the elaborate harvesting of the Paua shell is its meat. The stunning shell is essentially "just" a byproduct that would often simply be discarded. By using these shells for our designs, we give them a second life. So, when you buy a piece of jewelry with a Paua shell, you are not only carrying a piece of the ocean with you, but also actively helping to ensure that this beautiful natural product is not wasted.
Bring the sound of the New Zealand ocean into your home and discover nature's unique colors.