Roger Beattie discovered a distinct paua pearl while diving near the Chatham Islands in the 1990s, inspiring him to cultivate these rare gems. Today, small-scale farming of paua pearls occurs, primarily from the blackfoot paua species known for its vibrant colors. With only a few companies producing limited quantities each year, the market for these pearls is niche. However, climate change poses risks to paua survival, as warmer waters affect their health and the conditions necessary for pearl formation.
Jacek Pawlowski, a jeweller, emphasized the uniqueness of paua pearls, stating, 'Only this abalone, in this water, produces such an unusual colour of pearl.'
Shawn Gerrity, an ecologist, noted how climate affects paua, explaining, 'Warm waters cause physiological stress to the paua, impacting their survival.'
Collection
[
|
...
]