Photo: Paua Shells

Many shapes and sizes of Paua Shells are on display at this unique factory in Carterton, New Zealand.

The Paua Shell Factory in Carterton, New Zealand is a specialty factory and store where you can view an assortment of Paua Shells. Here you can see live Paua, learn about the Paua shells and observe them being crafted into beautiful pieces of jewellery, gifts or ornaments.Paua shells are the most colorful types of shells in the world and are unique to New Zealand. There are three types of Paua, one being the Paua, another the Silver Paua and the last one being the Virgin Paua which is a much smaller and rarer type.The Paua can grow up to 18 cm in length and can be found along the shallow coastline of New Zealand clinging to rocks. The shells are an oval shape with the outer shell usually covered with greyish encrustations and the inside of the shell being an amazing show of green, blue, purple and pink colors.If you are in Carterton, New Zealand and find some Paua shells along the shoreline, then your next step is the cleaning process. ... continue below the picture...

... This begins by sanding the lime off of the shells until you arrive at a semi-gloss finish and then a buffing wheel is recommended to bring out the high gloss of the Paua Shells. It consists of a lot of hard work but the end result is absolutely stunning.If that seems like too much work, visit the Paua Shell Factory in New Zealand and purchase some that have already been cleaned and buffed.Paua Shells at the Paua Shell Factory in Carterton, Wairarapa, North Island, New Zealand.