New Zealand Paua Abalone Sterling Silver Necklace Pendant

This sterling silver pendant features two stunning New Zealand Paua shell cabochons. I matched, cut, and formed a large and small cabochon before giving each a strong supporting polymer backing as is often done with turquoise and spiny oyster. I framed them with a row of hand-formed rope and joined them with small jump rings to give articulation.  They have enclosed backs which helps protect the cabochons and also adds substantial silver weight to the piece.  The pendant measures 2 3/4” not including the bail, and comes with a 16” sterling silver chain.  The bail is large enough to accommodate thicker chains if you want to swap this one out.

As a tiny child running along New Zealand beaches, I became captivated with the Paua (cousin of Abalone) shell and its stunning iridescent swirls of blues, greens and pinks. Every surface of my bedroom that could hold a shell, held a shell. Now I collect them for jewelry.  It takes a lot of work to match, cut and shape each piece, but it’s a labor of love.