Paua (NZ Abalone)
Paua (Haliotis Iris) This shell is unique to New Zealand. The harvesting of this shell is strictly controlled under New Zealand's quota management system. It is the most colourful of the abalone species worldwide, being the only one that has blue in it.
Paua is used extensively in the manufacture of jewellery, buttons and finely sliced laminate. The laminate has wide application for tiles and inlay work.
AGL can supply raw shell, polished shells (trophy or standard) tiles and laminates.
To the right is a picture of a shell that has had the calcified outer shell ground away, and then been polished to reveal the beautiful iridescent inner shell.
Here is just one example of how Paua can be used in laminates to create distinctive pieces of art.
AGL can help with the processing and exporting of Paua and other Abalone shells (refer to Services).
Information on Raw Paua Shell Grades
Information on Our Shell Laminate
