Question On M.O.P. and N.Z. Paua

J

JRiefer

Joined
Jan 20, 2000
Messages
29

I've received some white mother of pearl raw shells from Culpepper's NC. Nice stuff, 1/2" - 1" thick, flat and hardly any worm holes. I've ordered cut-off wheels from MSC and I intend to cut and polish my own slabs for handles.

I've found some sources on the net that have New Zealand paua. Finally, here's my question. On the M.O.P., I know I can cut several layers of slabs because of the depth of the pearl. What I don't know is when I get the paua, can I also get several small slabs like the M.O.P. or...is that beautiful color and pattern (on the inside surface of the shell) extremly thin and thus severely limiting what I could cut and use. In other words, does the pattern and color go all the way down like the M.O.P.?

Thanks for your respones and Merry Christmas to all.

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Joe

If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving isn't for you.
 
On paua, the color / pattern goes almost all the way through, the outside is usually covered in barnicals and minerals and such that have to ne ground off to expose the color...

Although Paua is VERY thin, much moreso than the pearl... you would be lucky to find one that you could get a full slab out of that is a descent thickness let alone more than one slab thickness wise... Thats why the paua shell handle materila that is sold is laminated... its lots of tiny thin layers glued on top of one another kinda like chipboard...

Let us know if ya figure out how to do it!!! I like the look of paua but dont care too much for the laminated stuff...

Alan...



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If a Man talks in the forest, and there is no Woman around to hear him, is he still wrong?
 
Alan, thanks for the info...it's what I was afraid of. I agree with you on the paua laminations...great looks, but not quite the real thing.

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Joe

If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving isn't for you.
 
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