New Zealand Abalone (Pāua) Veneer
Luméa Veneers have been carefully sliced from our whole shells. An intricate process that turns a curved shell into a flat and versatile product solution using thin strips of shell called feathers which are pieced together like a puzzle to form the full sheet. Perfect for inlay, this shell veneer maintains the vibrant natural colours of the shell and is predominantly used to embellish wooden home furnishings and musical instruments. Choose from Coated, Uncoated and Flexible forms.
Other grades and colours may be available. Luméa also provides a custom colouring service. Contact [email protected] for details.
Finish
Coated
Luméa Coated Veneers, known also as laminates, are sealed and protected on the front with a clear gloss or colour-tinted urethane (see colour options) which also enhances the veneers' strong natural colours and patterns. The back is coated with water-based acrylic paints which give colour back to the thin shell. A smooth 0.3 mm thick sheet with the option of adhesive backing for effortless application.
Uncoated
Luméa Uncoated Sheets are a thin 0.3 mm semi-opaque veneer sliced from our quality Luméa Shells. When placed against a solid dark substrate such as wood, metal or plastic, the natural blues, greens and pinks take on more depth and become more vibrant. Available with commercial grade adhesive backing.
Flexible
Luméa Flexible Veneers are made by intricately fracturing a genuine uncoated shell veneer that has been applied to an adhesive backing. The flexibility provided allows users to apply to rounded or curved surfaces. Mostly smooth to touch with a natural sheen, no coatings are applied. The thickness is approximately 0.3 mm and is only available with adhesive backing.
Colours
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Natural
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Natural Galaxy
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Blue Sapphire
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Peridot Green
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Purple Agate
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Imperial Yellow
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Pink Topaz
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Copper Red
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Emerald Green
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Ruby Red
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Royal Purple
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Tiger Eye
Uses
Designed for interior applications, veneers are a decorative feature which can be added to a wide range of surfaces and products to enhance and add value. Used in such things as furniture, artwork, and musical instruments, or for larger home furnishings. This sheet is brittle but can be carefully cut using a sharp craft knife or scissors into different shapes. For more intricate shapes, contact us for design and laser-cutting services.
The Uncoated Veneer form is perfect for inlay options involving resins or, where a thicker veneer is required, it can be glued together to form a composite sheet. Because this product is made from real shell nacre it is often inlayed and then sanded flush with the wood. You can apply a resin or wax finish to enhance the shell's iridescence after application.
The flexibility of this product ignites creativity in artisans. It is best suited for those applications where flexibility is needed to bend around rounded or curved surfaces down to 1 cm diameter. Often used in home furnishings or to make fashion accessories and delicate apparel. The applications are limited only by imagination. To further enhance the shells natural iridescence, you can apply a coating after application.
Sizes
300mm x 300mm (11.81" x 11.81")
200mm x 200mm (7.87" x 7.87")
230mm x 130mm (9.06" x 5.12")
300mm x 300mm (11.81" x 11.81")
200mm x 200mm (7.87" x 7.87")
230mm x 130mm (9.06" x 5.12")
300mm x 300mm (11.81" x 11.81")
200mm x 200mm (7.87" x 7.87")
230mm x 130mm (9.06" x 5.12")
Unique Properties
Disclaimer
Shell is a natural product with a variety of factors that affect appearance. Your screen settings also affect the experience of the colours and appearance. Therefore, there is no guarantee it will be possible to achieve the exact appearance as what you see on this website. Certain characteristics of our products may be altered depending on storage conditions or their use in combination with other ingredients. This is beyond our control and we strongly recommend contacting us directly with specific enquiries and testing prior to use.
Tell us about your project...
Your project is unique, so we provide personalised advice before delivering worldwide from our studio in New Zealand.
Luméa products are made from natural shell with a variety of factors that affect form and function. If you can’t find the right product from within our range, then talk to us about our custom design service. We love to experiment and collaborate with our partners to create unique solutions.