PAUA SHELL BEAD

This is a natural shell that has been skillfully joined to gether to make a bead.The small pieces have been joined to gether to give a facated look which display brilliant  colour.

There is a drill hole in the centre

Weight 26.85 cts  app

Size 31 x 24 x 11 mm app

The colour in the paua shell changes when viewed at different angles. This iridescence, similar to that of Mother of Pearl shell, but far more brilliant, is what makes paua shell so amazing as a gem material for use in jewellery. It is truly one of nature's marvels. Each shell is different in it's colour tonings, and in the patterns within the shell. The black patterns in the shell come from  layers of protein  that are laid down between  the layers of calcium that make up the shell. The brilliant colours are from light being refracted within the crystal layers. The same effect that the iridescent colour found in Opals