Abalone jewelry is having a moment. You may have seen celebs like Miley Cyrus, Kendall Jenner, and Harry Styles sporting beautiful abalone shell rings, earrings, and necklaces on social media and wondered what exactly abalone is and where you can get your hands on some of these trendy pieces. Keep reading to learn all about abalone jewelry so that you can add a touch of understated luxury to your look with abalone jewelry.
Abalone 101
Abalone is a type of sea snail that is native to the coasts of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Mexico. The snail secretes a bright-colored substance called nacre, which is also known as mother-of-pearl. This iridescent material is used to make all kinds of beautiful jewelry, including rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Abalone jewelry has a long history; in fact, abalone shells were used as currency by some indigenous peoples of California as far back as 13,000 years ago!
Abalone is prized for its unique coloration, which can range from green to blue to pink to purple. The colors of abalone are created by the way light reflects off of the nacre. No two pieces of abalone jewelry are exactly alike, making each one a truly special and unique item.