New Zealand Abalone (Pāua) Shells
Luméa New Zealand Abalone Shells are the most colourful in the world. They are used for smudge kits and home decor and further processed into shell materials for fashion, architecture, and design across the globe. Luméa New Zealand Abalone Shells are available in three forms; Natural, Cleaned and Polished.
Finish
Polished
Firstly the natural exterior lime is removed, revealing the patterns on the shells outer side, then both exterior and interior are polished to smooth the surface and enhance the vibrant rainbow of colours. This polished shell can also be coated with a lacquer to further enhance the iridescence and colouring.
Cleaned with Smooth Edge
Most commonly used for home decor and smudging these shells are cleaned with edges trimmed to be suitable for the home. This natural finish for Luméa New Zealand Abalone Whole Shells preserves the organic lime coating on the back, and enhances the colourful lustre on the inside.
Natural
Unpolished exterior or interior. The natural finish for Luméa New Zealand Abalone Whole Shells preserves the organic lime coating on the back, and the inside retains its original colourful lustre.
Uses
Polished shells fully reveal the shell's colour and lustre changing hue with the light and are commonly used in home decor.
Most commonly used for home decor and smudging.
Most commonly further processed into thin, narrow strips for making veneers or smaller pieces for components such as jewellery parts. The natural lime coating on the back shows the shell in its harvested state and keeps the shell protected on its journey around the world. This can be easily removed to reveal the best natural colours and patterns.
Sizes
Standard 100 - 140 mm (3.94" - 5.51")
Trophy 140 - 165 mm (5.51" - 6.50")
Various sizes 125 - 170 mm (4.92" - 6.69")
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 acheive 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.