Paua is a shellfish found only in seas around New Zealand.
Paua Shell has the most brilliant colour that varies from greens & pinks to purples & blues and even some shells with gold or crimson tonings.
The colour in the paua shell changes when viewed at different angles. This iridescence,is what makes paua shell so amazing as a gem material for use in jewellery. It is truly one of nature's marvels. Each shell is different in it's colour tonings, and in the patterns within the shell. The brilliant colours are from light being refracted within the crystal layers. The same effect that the iridescent colour found in Opals.