|
Now In: Abalone_Mineral_Page
Abalone: A Mineral Treasure From The Sea
Abalone is a gem material whose origins are attributed to a large family of primitive, single-shelled gastropods know as Haliotidae, meaning "sea ear" which refers to its external shell shape. Several species are utilized for the adornment of abalone silver jewelry such as abalone bracelets, earrings, abalone rings, and necklaces and pendants. The gemstone abalone is characterized by a dark gray to black background with a foreground filled with a rainbow effect of color that resembles an oil slick. These iridescent blues, greens, blacks, purple and yellow tones and colors which are typical of abalone, are generally arranged in a series of concentric and often overlapping circles, giving rise to a one-of-a kind piece of natural designwork. The intensity of this color is one factor contributing to the beauty of the abalone shell. The much sought after paua shell found mostly in New Zealand is considered the most beautiful of all the abalone in the world.
ORIGIN of ABALONE:
Originally harvested in the United States in the mid 19th century, abalone was harvested by Chinese immigrants working on barge-like boats using long poles to harvest the abalone. With sophistication in SCUBA gear, divers were employed and became one factor in overharvesting the abalone, along with dwindling numbers caused by el Nino and expanding sea otter population, one of its natural predators. The single shell gastropod grows very slowly and typically in shallow ocean waters no more than 100 feet deep.
Table of Abalone Properties:
| Mineral Name |
Abalone |
| Silver Jewelry |
The different colors and styles are well represented within the Plum Island Silver Catalog such as: |
| Silver Abalone Earrings- Silver earrings highlighting the iridescent color scheme typical of abalone like the oval abalone earrings accented with sugilite, EA-2717 and the high fashion and adorable flower earrings made of abalone, EA-2716. |
| Abalone Bracelets- Like the link BR-2448 and the abalone bangle, BR-2685. |
| Silver and Abalone Pendants- Fine samples of classic abalone with the the oval abalone CH-2922, the abalone rectangle charm, CH-3375, and the baroque CH-2920. |
| Formula |
CaCO3, Calcium Carbonate |
| Class or Group |
Carbonates, Aragonite |
| Physical Properties |
|
| Cleavage-Distinct |
| Color-Colorless, White, Gray, Yellowish white, Reddish white |
| Crystal Habits-columnar and pseudo hexagonal |
| Fracture-Sub Conchoidal |
| Hardness-3.5 - 4 |
| Luster-Vitreous (Glassy) |
| Specific Gravity-2.93 |
| Streak-white |
| Miscellaneous: May fluoresce blue, pink, or yellow. Clear specimens exhibit a strong double refraction. |
|
| Photo |
|
| Famous Localities |
West Coast of the United States, specifically California, Channel Islands, New Zealand, South Africa |
| Varieties |
Red Abalone is the most common species, H. rufescens; Paua with its significant blue color; Black Abalone: Green Abalone; Pinto Abalone; Threaded Abalone; Western Atlantic Abalone, and White Abalone. |
| Sources |
http://seafood.ucdavis.edu/pubs/abalone.htm |
| http://www.findyourfate.com/gemology/gemstones/Abalone.html |
| http://www.reijewellery.co.nz/what_is_paua.htm |
| http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haliotis |
| http://www.abalone.net/guide/ab_red01.htm |
| http://webmineral.com/data/Aragonite.shtml |
| http://www.sonic.net/~rocky/abalone.htm |
| http://www.sonic.net/~tomgray/describe.html |
| http://www.tesorosdetaxco.com/abalone.htm |
| http://www.galleries.com/minerals/carbonat/aragonit/aragonit.htm |
|
