I mentioned in my last entry that I was disappointed that the pāua shells were not pretty. The truth is, they are… just not when they come out of the ocean. Pāua shells are often used in jewelry and lots of other cool things since they are so naturally beautiful. My parents have coasters made out of pāua shells and I know other people who have pretty jewelry made from pāua shells.
We cleaned out some of the shells a little bit so I thought I would share how pretty they are! Plus, a lot of you asked to see.
See? I knew they were pretty!
I was going to take a picture of the paua fritters, too… but they accidentally got eaten! :P
If you want to check out some stuff made from paua, you should check out Paua World! This place is only a town or so away from me and I plan to visit it when I can because I seriously can’t get enough paua shell beauty! :)
Oh yeah they look much better in those pics! I’ve never had a Paua fritter. It sounds good though :)
OOoo they look like small Abalone shells!
That’s exactly what they are. We just call a lot of things by their Maori names down here in New Zealand :)
Ohhhh that makes sense!
I somehow missed your last entry. They are pretty. Whatcha gonna do with them?
Probably just put them around randomly on a shelf or windowsil!
Oh yah! They look so much better now. very pretty :D
I hope you don’t know any smokers because they have a bad habit of stealing paua shells for ashtrays!
Also, “accidentally got eaten”? I find that accidentally hard to believe! :P
Haha yes I have already been asked for some paua shell ashtrays by someone I know. :)
Those are really pretty! I can see why people would want to use them for jewelry.
That’s it. I’m moving to New Zealand.
GORGEOUS! I would love to decorate a windowsill with those shells.
ABALONE! I didn’t realize that’s what they were when you first mentioned them. I LOVE abalone but here in CA they have a VERY short season, you have to have a permit and they are very strict with the amount and size you can get. Because of that it’s REALLY expensive and only the best restaurants sell them. The last time I had it was a few months ago for my brother’s birthday and a one abalone steak meal was $50.00!
YOU ARE SO LUCKY! And yes, the shells can be REALLY pretty, do some research online to find the best ways to clean them. :)
Yeah, there is a limit here too. You can only get 10 paua per person. The good thing is that they are a good size so that usually does it. We had so much leftover we had to throw some out and we even gave a bunch away! Next time we probably will get less!
They are beautiful! Do you have any big plans for them?
They will probably find a home on a shelf or windowsil and we’re giving one to a smoker friend to use as an ashtry!
They are very pretty :)
So glad you posted these! They look absolutely gorgeous. I love the colours! I think they’d make nice decorations even just sitting on a shelf!
That’s what we’re probably doing with them! Thanks!
Hi, Caitlin! Besides the coasters, I also used to have a necklace that Dad gave me made out of paua shells! I misplaced it! I’m so mad at myself! I LOVED it! ~ Your shells are beautiful! ~ Love you! ~ Love, Mom xoxo
They are beautiful! I’m so glad you’re doing so wonderful out there :)
They are beautiful aren’t they? A lot of people I know use them for ash trays, but I don’t know why as they are too gorgeous for that.
Have you had the chance to have a hangi yet?
Yeah, I am giving one to a smoker friend but I agree they are sooooo pretty! I haven’t had a hangi yet but I’m sure I will at some point!!
I’ve never even heard of that but it definitely is pretty. I’m so jealous that you get to live in NZ. I want to travel there someday.
Those really are pretty. At first, I thought that they were related to Oysters somehow or something like that? LOL
My throat feels better now. It mostly hurts in the morning when I awake and at night after nine. :(
Wow, those are gorgeous. I’ve never heard of them before, but they’re definitely really pretty and I could see them being made into jewelry and stuff.
The Blogger
I'm Caity! I am a New Yorker who married a Kiwi and recently moved across the world to New Zealand. I'm a math teacher who enjoys the outdoors, photography, video games, music, and general geekery.
Life is a great big adventure and I am beginning a whole new journey. It isn't always easy but it is always worth it. ♥
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