Abalone

Metaphysical & Spiritual Properties

Abalone shells tap into the soothing, grace, beauty and calm of the sea. The rainbow colors bringing light and joy to the heart.  We are reminded of the pure magic that water holds, of mermaids and mythical sea creatures.  Abalone is a gentle heart balancing stone, aligning with the high heart energy center. It is believed to help soothe and calm emotions, promote feelings of peace and stability, and provide protection against negativity.

Soothing and healing to the overall emotional body, Abalone can ease anxieties and nervousness. As it naturally holds colors of the rainbow within its shell, it is said to balance and heal the meridians. Abalone, being a water element, aids in communication, the flow of expression & ideas, strengthens ones compassion, and also commitment to ideals & relationships. For relationships, Abalone can help one to understand both sides of a situation, and approach situations and one’s partner with empathy, compassion, and compromise – it helps you to ebb and flow through your life, while still allowing you to speak your truth from a place a wholeness.

Abalone is also associated with the astrological signs of Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces, which are all connected to emotions, intuition, and the subconscious mind and In tarot, abalone is associated with the Moon card. As a result, abalone is believed to be especially useful for those who are looking to tap into their intuition, deepen their emotional connection to themselves and others, or work through emotional issues.

History & Folklore

For thousands of years, Abalone has been prized by indigenous peoples along the Pacific coast for its beauty and usefulness. The shells were used to make tools, jewelry, and currency, and the meat inside was a staple food source.

An important tool for the Native Northwest American Indians, this shell has been used as a natural vessel for cleansing, offerings and prayers. In the Apache tradition a disc of abalone shell is worn on the forehead of Apache girls, on the morning of their initiation into womanhood. Many use Abalone shells during smudging, letting it hold and carry the herbs, sage or smudge bundles as they burn.

Geological Information

Abalone is actually a shell, not a stone. It naturally contains color variations of iridescent purple, pink, blue, yellow and green, swirling and rippling it. It inherently reflects the rainbow beauty of the ocean. The shell is soft & smooth to the touch from repeated tumbles in the sand and water. Whole Abalone shells are home to sea snails called mollusk, ranging from small to large. Their rounded or oval one-piece shells belong to the family Haliotidea, genus haliotis. Due to the flattened shape of the shell, they earned the nickname ‘sea ear.’  The holes across the shell are respiratory pores for breathing and the creature within has a muscular foot for clamping on to rocks when feeding. Abalone shells are made from tiny particles of a very soft material (calcium carbonate or chalk) yet are very difficult to crack. Researchers have recently discovered that the secret is ‘glue’, an organic polymer that binds thin layers of calcium carbonate together to form an incredibly tough outer shell.

Individual Abalones can live for many years and reach sizes of up to 8 inches in length. ‘Abalone’ is the North American name for the mollusk, which is known as Paua in New Zealand, Ormer in Britain’s Channel Islands and Awabi in Japan. Abalone stocks are dangerously low all over the world and White Abalone is listed under the Endangered Species Act in the USA. Shell used in the jewelry and furniture trade mainly comes from sustainable Abalone farms. Collecting Abalone from their natural habitat is strongly discouraged and in many areas is illegal.

Works Well With...

Clear Quartz is known as the “master healer” and can amplify the energy of any crystal it’s paired with. When combined with Abalone, Clear Quartz can help to clear negative energy and promote spiritual growth. Amethyst, Moonstone and Selenite all help enhance intuition and clarity when used in combination with Abalone.