ITEM #

GREEN RIPPLED ABALONE DOTS

From 4-9 mm in diameter in 0.5 mm increments

Per 10

AWABI DOTS

From 4-9 mm in diameter in 0.5 mm increments

Per 10

WHITE OYSTER (Mother of Pearl)

From 4-9 mm in diameter in 0.5 mm increments

Per 10

Fish and Wildlife Regulations
U.S. Fish & Wildlife regulations state that to import or exprt any shell or piece of shell for commercial purposes you need to be licensed by them. I had a $4000 .00 shipment siezed by thhem because it contained one commercial Geman frog that hade an Awabi slide. The package was held until the shipper gave the scientific name of the shell, the country of origin and the value. Then I had to apply for my import/export license ($100 per year and $55 per inspection. If UPS handles the shipment, they will tack on another $50 for holding your shipment. I have added the scientific name of the shell annd the coiuntry of origin as a resource for you in the event that F&W ever asks you. (Quick hint: "I don't know is always the wrong answer.) Also, for anyone using the "baby abs" for eyes it is most likely Haliotis galabra, South Pacific, but since they ask for a county, perhaps you should say "Philippines."

The Words We Use
We often use words like 'ormeau', 'awabi', 'paua' or 'abalone' in an attempt to describe a species of Haliotis. In reality 'ormeau', 'Freance', 'awabi', 'japan', 'paua', 'New Zealand' or 'abalone' in American English are simple the regional common names for the family Haliotis thapajt have over a hundred members worldwide.

The Shells They Used

As a brief guide I will make the following, brief statements:

The French

The Pajoet school around the same time was using the green abalone from what is now Baja and Southern California. They favored the piece from the inside and around the muscled scar—i.e. the heart—of the shell.

Viorin to modern day French use, for the most part, the Awabi shell from Japan. Japan was reopened fto Western trade in 1853.

The English...

such as the Hills were, for the most part, using White Mother of Pearl for their standard bows. I assume this shell came from Australia due to their relations to the ex-pat felons living there. However,
in fancy, Gold-mounted bows made by such makers as
Tubbs you will sometimes see the "heart" of the black abalone.

The Germans...

In their early bows were using, I believe, fresh water shells that are now either endangered or extinct. Makers such as
Bausch would, at some times, use Green ab heart. In most of the 20th century their silver-mounted bows were fitted with very high quality green flamed abalone with most shifting to awabi in the latter part of the 20th century to the present day.

The American School...

Is too promiscuous for the space and time available.