Abalone, Moon with Wire Tree, One Pendant, 34x46mm

Abalone, Moon with Wire Tree, One Pendant, 34x46mm 

Abalone is a mollusk and part of a family that includes clams, mussels, sea slugs and octopuses. The abalone shell is thickened with layers of nacre (mother-of-pearl) - iridescent layers of plates of a mineral called aragonite. Abalone lives along the coastal waters of almost every major continent and there are more than 130 types of abalone shell.

 Abalone shell beads are called “sea opal beads” for their stunning, iridescent colors like the beautiful "flash" of precious opals. It can also have a dichroic appearance. Abalone beads are a gorgeous, iridescent rainbow of electric blues, greens, grays, and pinks.

There is no difference from Paua shell and Abalone. Most of the world calls it Abalone, but New Zealand and Australia call it Paua. Abalone is derived from the Spanish word "Abulón" and Paua from the New Zealand Maori word "Paua."

 Assembled abalone beads are beads created from the nacre, or inner layer, of abalone shells, which are often combined with other materials like resin for added durability or to create specific shapes.

Made in China.

Metal Alloy is a metal made by combining two or more metallic elements, base metals, to give greater strength or resistance to corrosion. In mining and economics, base metals refer to industrial non-ferrous metals excluding precious metals, like silver, gold, and platinum. Base Metals include copper, aluminum, nickel, tin, zinc antimony, bismuth, lead and many more. Metal Alloy, also known as Pewter and is usually a tin based alloy 85-95% of the time but could also be zinc based.

In December of 1994, The US Safe Drinking Water Act defined Lead-free as having less than 0.25% lead content. Most newly made solid pewter on the market today is considered lead free by these standards. But it is still recommended to not give children Metal Alloy jewelry if there is any chance, they will put it in their mouths!