Iridescent Paua Shell. Paua is the Maori name for a type of sea snail mollusc found off the coast of New Zealand, the shell of which, once polished, has always been valued by the inhabitants of N.Z. for its ornamental uses, both as jewellery and artefact. The supply of the material is quite controlled through a quota system overseen by the country’s Primary Industries Ministry, even down to the regulation that divers for Paua are prohibited from using air tanks.
The above earrings were created in the 1980s, over four decades ago, the Paua shell handcarved and polished to bring out the natural Iridescent Paua colours, the Silver mounts and earhooks handcrafted, the form simply Art Deco.
The lower inverted teardrop of these earrings is neatly articulated so that when worn its silver-green sheen glistens at its iridescent best.
The earrings are light in weight and very easy to wear.