Shopping Guides
-
Apparel & Accessories
- General Care Guidelines
-
Glossary
- Apparel Terms
- Footwear Terms
- Footwear Diagram
- Handbags Terms
- Fabrics & Weaves
- Fashion by Body Type
- Five Fashion Essentials
- Handbag Weight Comparisons
- Fibers
- Scarves in Fashion
- Size Information
- Sunglasses
-
Beauty
-
Cosmetics 101
-
Cosmetic Tools and Care
- Cosmetic Brushes
- Face Tools
- Eye Tools
- Other Beauty Tools
-
Makeup Application & Color Guide
- Cheeks
- Eyebrows
- Eyes
- Foundation
- Lips
- Hints for Mature Skin
- Hints for Quick Application
- The Smoky Eye Effect
- Makeup by Occasion
-
Cosmetic Tools and Care
- Hair Types and Styling
- Ingredient Glossary
-
Skin Care
- Acne/Oily Skin
- Aging Skin
- Dry Skin
- Normal Skin
- Sensitive Skin
-
Skin Care Regimen
- Cleanse
- Tone
- Exfoliate
- Refresh
- Moisturize
- Firm
- Protect
- Fragrance Types
-
Cosmetics 101
-
Computers & Electronics
-
Choosing a Camera
- Camera Functions
- Camera Glossary
- Digital Cameras
-
Choosing a Computer
- Choosing a Notebook
- Computer Glossary
- Setting Up Your Computer
- Choosing a GPS
- Gaming Systems & Ratings
-
Home Theater Systems
- Home Theater Glossary
- Refurbished Electronics
- TV Glossary& FAQs
- Unlocked Phones
-
Choosing a Camera
-
Coins
- American Coin Designs
- Coin Glossary
- Grading & Certification
- History of Coin Collecting
- History of Coin Jewelry
- Mints & Mint Marks
- Other Currency
- State & Territory Quarters
- Types of Coin Collections
- Types of Coin Collectors
-
Health & Fitness
- Bicycles
- BOSU Ball Exercises
- Heart Rate Monitoring
- Nutrition Glossary
- Pre-Workout Warm-ups
- Resistance Bands
- Stability Ball Exercises
- Stationary Bikes
- Treadmills
-
House & Home
- Bath Towels
-
Bedding
- Choosing Sheets
- Down
- Fabrics, Weaves & Fibers
- General Care Guidelines
- Size Information
- Top Layers
-
Cookware
-
Care & Maintenance
- All-Clad Care
- Cast Iron Care
- Copper Care
- Nonstick Care
- Stainless Steel Care
- Materials
- Pieces
-
Care & Maintenance
-
Cutlery
- Knife Construction
- Types of Knives
- Sharpening Knives
- Safety Tips
- Care and Cleaning
- Decor Periods
-
Dining & Entertaining
- Food, Drinks & Tabletop
- Setting a Casual Table
- Setting a Semi-Formal Table
- Setting a Formal Table
-
Feng Shui
- Five Elements
- Yin and Yang
- Feng Shui in Your Home
- Furniture Styles
- Furniture Woods
- Gemstone Globes
- Home Decor Essentials
-
Kitchen Appliances
- Blenders
- Coffeemakers
- Deep Fryers
-
Espresso Machines
- Types of Espresso Machines
- Subcategories
- Types of Power
- Freshly Ground or Pod?
- Espresso Glossary
- Some Basics to Consider
- Cleaning Your Espresso Machine
- Cups & Saucers
- Induction Cooktops
- Microwaves
- Rice Cookers
- Toasters & Toaster Ovens
-
Lighting
- Types of Lighting
- Types of Lamps
- Light Bulbs
- Lighting Glossary
- Luggage Tips
-
Mattresses
- Mattress Comfort
- Mattress Sizes
-
Mattress Types
- Air Chamber
- Innerspring
- Latex Foam
- Memory Foam
- Rugs
- Sewing Machines
-
Wine Enjoyment
- Aerating & Decanting Wine
- Storing & Preserving Wine
- Wine Glass Types
- Wine Glossary
-
Wine Tasting 101
- Types of Wine Tastings
- How to Conduct a Tasting
- The Tasting Process
- Tasting Cards
- Design Motifs & Symbolism
-
Jewelry
- Birthstones
- Care and Storage
-
Clasps and Closures
- Earring Backs
- Necklace and Bracelet Clasps
- Cleaning Methods
- Created and Simulated Gems
-
Gemstones
- Clarity and Color Grading
- Settings
- Mohs Scale
- Enhancement and Care
- Shapes or Cuts
-
A-B Gemstones
- Agate
- Alexandrite
- Amazonite
- Amber
- Amethyst
- Ametrine
- Andalusite
- Ammolite
- Andesine
- Apatite
- Aquamarine
- Aventurine
- Azurite
- Beryl
- Bloodstone
- Boulder Opal
- Brazanite
-
C-F Gemstones
- Carnelian
- Cat's Eye Chrysoberyl
- Chalcedony
- Charoite
- Chrome Diopside
- Chrysocolla
- Chrysoprase
- Cinnabar
- Citrine
- Coral
- Diamond
- Diopside
- Drusy
- Dumortierite
- Emerald
- Eudialite
- Fire Opal
- Fluorite
-
G-N Gemstones
- Garnet
- Howlite
- Hematite
- Iolite
- Jade
- Jasper
- Kunzite
- Kyanite
- Labradorite
- Lapis Lazuli
- Larimar
- Larvikite
- Magnesite
- Malachite
- Mandarin Garnet
- Marcasite
- Moldavite
- Moonstone
- Morganite
- Mother of Pearl
- Mystic Topaz
-
O-R Gemstones
- Obsidian
- Onyx
- Opal
- Ouro Verde
- Padparadscha Sapphire
- Pearl
- Paua Shell (Abalone)
- Peridot
- Peruvian Blue Opal
- Pietersite
- Prasiolite
- Prehnite
- Quartz
- Queen Conch Shell
- Rhodochrosite
- Rhodolite
- Rubellite
- Ruby
-
S-Z Gemstones
- Sandstone
- Sapphire
- Serpentine
- Sodalite
- Spessartite
- Sphene
- Spinel
- Sunstone
- Tanzanite
- Tashmarine
- Tiger's Eye
- Topaz
- Tourmaline
- Tsavorite
- Turquoise
- Unakite
- Venetian and Murano Glass
- Zircon
- Zoisite
- Zultanite
- Glossary
-
Jewelry Trends
- Alternative Birthstones
- Astrology
- Chinese Zodiac
- Italian Gold
- Jewelry Designs
- Right-Hand Rings
- Traditional Anniversary Gifts
- Manufacturing Techniques
-
Metals
- Ceramic
- Copper
- Gold
- Plated Silver or Bronze
- Platinum
- Ruthenium Plating
- Stainless Steel
- Sterling Silver
- Tungsten
- Size Information
-
Watches
- Watch Glossary
- Invicta Collections
- Maintenance, Care & Cleaning
- Measurements & Sizing
- Strap & Bracelet Materials
- Watch Case Dimensions
-
Watch Components
- Case
- Crystal
- Dial
- Movement
- Strap/Bracelet
- Water Resistance Levels
- Watch Weight Comparisons
Paua shell features vibrant color variations of blue, green, silver, pink, purple and mother-of-pearl. Although its rough exterior is black, paua's interior is the most colorful type of abalone shell in the world. Its iridescent patterns even change color when viewed from different angles. Because color range and patterns vary from shell to shell, each piece of paua is unique and one-of-a-kind.
Paua is a species of abalone that is found only in the seas around New Zealand. It has larger cousins located around the world, such as in California and Japan, but those species aren't as colorful. Paua's unique coloring is produced from the rich volcanic sediments found within the unpolluted southern New Zealand waters. They are marine mollusks that eat seaweed and cling to rocks at depths of one to ten meters. The holes in the shells are for breathing and reproduction. Starfish are paua's main predator and can suffocate the shellfish by putting their tentacles over the breathing holes, forcing it to let go of the rock.
Used for food since ancient times, paua meat is considered a delicacy. The exquisite shells used for ornamentation are simply natural by-products. The New Zealand government strictly controls the harvesting of abalone to ensure the sustainability of this natural resource. It has enforced a quota system for the gathering of paua by both commercial and individual fishermen. Paua fishers must free-dive to pry the mollusks from the rocks, as no compressed air diving is allowed. Moreover, all paua that is gathered must be no smaller than five inches in size. There are stiff penalties for those caught removing undersize shells.
Pacific Rim cultures have considered paua shell a symbol of good fortune and believe it to have powers as an aphrodisiac. Some believe that wearing paua shell aids in creativity and calming. Folklore identifies paua with beauty, physical strength and power. It is believed to improve self-image and increase personal strength and endurance.
