In NZ the Paua shell is used for Jewellery. It is very beautiful and full of iridescent green, blue, orange, silver, purple and sometimes pink colours. The Paua has edible 'meat' which you might know by the name Abalone. The outer shell is plain ugly, underneath is the 'foot' (flesh) and you see this Haliotis iris. Lapidary workers will grind back the outer crust and the whole shell can be used for making things Jewelry Box

The interior shell of the Paua is also referred to as NACRE. And they also can produce a natural pearl.