Silver Pāua Spiral Drop Earrings

This simple, yet stylish design features a disc of laminated New Zealand Pāua shell (Abalone) over a Recycled Sterling S ilver disc f inished with a silver spiral. The spiral is based on the unfurling fern fronds that are a common feature of the New Zealand bush. All of the components are free-moving so have the added tactile experience of spinning them in your fingers.

Offered in three sizes to suit your personal style - from larger for more attention-grabbing, to smaller for a more subtle look - you choose!

All StoneArrow earrings are finished with handmade Recycled Sterling Silver hooks.

Small: Overall length - 28mm (1.1in). Disc size - 13mm (0.5in).

Medium: Overall Length - 36mm (1.42in). Disc size - 17mm (0.67in).

Large: Overall length - 52mm (2.04in). Disc size - 23mm (1in).

Also available in matching necklace.

While they’re known as ‘abalone’ in other countries, larger pāua can mostly be found in the fresh, cold seas of the lower North Island, South Island, Chatham Islands and Stewart Island. They are caught by free-diving.

To make pāua babies, the male and female pāua wait until the perfect time (they just know) and then, together, eject millions of eggs or sperm into the water at the same time through those holes you see in their shells. It then mingles, becomes pāua lavae, and some will one day head down to start life as a rock dwelling adult pāua.

New Zealand’s pāua industry is managed by strict quotas, which will only allow a certain amount of them to be harvested each year, with severe penalties for those who break the law. This makes for a sustainable fishery.

Paua has an amazing array of natural colours ranging from pink to green and blue.

Due to the varying nature of shell, colours may vary slightly from photo