Abalone

Although not a Gemstone, Abalone is cherished as such and used in jewelry. It is nicknamed the Sea Ears because of its flattened, oval shape with iridescent interior. They are also known as Paua, Mother of Pearl, and Nacre. Abalone is a single-shelled, uni-valve saltwater mollusk, native to the Pacific Coast of California stretching up to Alaska and other places with cold-water regions.

According to Aquarium.co, it is illegal to take Abalone from the ocean. Its numbers have dropped because it has been overexploited and it is believed that if it continues to be poached, it will soon be extinct. This will be catastrophic, creating an ecological imbalance.

Because of this, they are farmed, mostly is the West Coast, although not as much as before. It has lost its popularity here in the United States.

The most common form of Abalone jewelry found today is either made by using the shell, or Mabé Abalone jewelry. That is because wild Abalone pearls are so rare. They take about 8 to 10 years to form. They are often an iridescent bluish color and commonly horn-shaped.

Abalone in Other Countries

In the Far East, Abalone is highly sought. It is a delicacy as well as an aphrodisiac. Many will pay steep prices to obtain it in the black market. For the Chinese, it is a symbol of good fortune.

In New Zealand, the Maori call it Paua. They consume the meat and use the shells for jewelry. They believe the shell strengthens the body and the heart of the wearer, thus the person will be able to communicate feelings more clearly. They also believe it brings people closer creating better relationships.

The Maori believe the colors and the way they transition makes the shell a symbol for change. If you are going through a period of change, wear Abalone for its protective potential.

Abalone helps those who wear it handle emotional situations, and soothe the emotions. It was used by the Native American as a vessel for cleansing, offerings, and prayers. Some use it along with sage to connect to their gods and cleanse evil spirits.

The Apache Nation have a great connection to the Abalone. They believe this connection is with the first woman.

The first woman, White Painted Woman (also known as Esdzanadehe, and Changing Woman) survives the great Flood in an abalone shell, then wanders the land as the waters recede. Atop a mountain, she is impregnated by the sun, and gives birth of a son, Killer of Enemies. Soon afterwards, she is impregnated by the Rain, and gives birth to Son of Water. 

However, the world the People live in is not safe until White Painted Woman’s sons kill the Owl Man Giant who has been terrorizing the tribe. When they return from their victory, bringing the meat they have hunted, White Painted Woman expresses a cry of triumph and delight, which later will be echoed by the godmother at the Sunrise Ceremony. She then is guided by spirits to establish a puberty rite to be given for all daughter born to her people, and to instruct the women of the tribe in the ritual, and the rites of womanhood.

When she becomes old, White Painted Woman walks east toward the sun until she meets her younger self, merges with it, and becomes young again. Thus repeatedly, she is born again and again, from generation to generation. 

Caring for Abalone

Abalone shell rings, earrings, necklaces, and other jewelry should be cleaned with warm water and soap when dirty. Otherwise, it should be wiped with a damp, clean cloth each time it is worn. Make sure to dry the jewelry well and keep it out of direct sunlight to prevent fading.

SO, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Leave me a comment, or post your

Artful Gems piece and review it!

http://www.webwinds.com/yupanqui/apachesunrise.htm

https://www.aquarium.co.za/blog/entry/everything-you-need-to-know-about-abalone

Media:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Abalone_shell_(13785764994).jpg, Paxson Woelber [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Abalone_with_conical_pearl.jpg, Worldexplorer82 [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)]

https://susiejhc.wordpress.com/category/sunrise-ceremony/