The abalone shell is ear-shaped and made up of microscopic pieces of calcium carbonate stacked on top of each other with protein material in between which holds them together. This protein material makes the shell very strong but it is also very beautiful and full of cultural signifigance to a variety of people.
The Maori poeple of New Zealand used abalone shells for warrior art and jewelry, beleiving that the shell strengthened the body and heart of the wearer.
In Native American cultures the abalone shell is used to burn sage, beleiving that the spiritual power of the abalone and sage would take messages to their gods.
The Apache nation believes that there is a connection between abalone and the first woman, known as White Painted Woman, who survived the great flood in the shell of an abalone.
These shells have been polished to bring out their natural color.
