Abalone “pearls”

[Freshpeachez]

Could these be abalone pearls?

I use this shell as a catch all for my random crystals and have about 30 or more shells in my backyard and around my house.

Now that I’m learning a LOT more about pearls, I’m curious if these could be abalone “mabe” pearls.

 

[SteveM]

They are shell blisters, which are indeed a natural occurrence that inspires mabes. But they are not blister pearls, which would have formed as whole 'cyst' pearls and subsequently become attached to the shell.

 

[ennui]

I have several abalone shells, too. I think you can cut out the blister and make jewelry but then you've ruined the shell.
Along the West Coast, abalone have been hit particularly hard by overfishing, the decline of the kelp forest, warming ocean temperatures and other impacts. Treasure your shells.

 

[SteveM]

Yes they can be cut and used, as with any part of the nacreous shell lining. The Maori in New Zealand make intensive use of MOP from NZ's native Paua (Haliotis iris) species.