Abalones are flat marine snails with shells that have a spiral structure and brilliant luster.  Abalone feeds on kelp in the sea and we used to dive for it. Over the years we used scuba and surface supplied air to harvest them. Abalone is protected in California now. You can find some on the beaches and some are highly polished by the constant wave action. The highly iridescent inner layer of the shell is used in jewelry, buttons, furniture, musical instruments and Art too.

Len makes abalone art of animals and nature scenes. You can too.