The Paua shell travels slowly across the rocks, beneath the ocean munching on seaweed. Its drab outer shell encrusted with heavy lime deposits and tiny marine creatures, conceals an interior of iridescent colours- cool blues, sea greens and inky purples that run into soft yellows and pinks with splashes of gold and silver. The shell is a unique abalone shell that lives exclusively in the seas surrounding New zealand.

         The colours of the shell, change when viewed in different angles. Thus , jewellery consisting of the shell is highly valued. It is made of alternating layers of protein and calcium build up, quite similar to opals. This is why they have earned the name, Opal of the sea.

       Inspired by the Paua shell's glittering colours of the ocean , i designed this chinese fan-shaped petal earrings. Pearls and Amethyst in the petal-shape compliment the motif of the design as well as, the dominant colour of the shell. Using the base metal as silver, the earring has been crafted meticulously with a jagged-egde on fine leaves of metal. It has thus, earned its name as, The Purple petal earring.