The Large, Rare and Beautiful Abalone Bead Collection is Here!
First seen in artistic images of Buddha created in 300 A.D., the Abalone bead is one of the largest and rarest beads found. Usually located in the Pacific, between California and Alaska and as far away as Korea, Japan and Australia, the highly sought after Abalone shell bead comes from a primitive one-shelled mollusk.
Unlike most other Mother of Pearl Bead gems found in nature, the Mother of Pearl/ Abalone shell bead is very unique, unusually shaped and extremely rare. Why so rare when other Mother of Pearl Bead gems can be naturally or man-made?
The answer is also natural and man-made. First, the primitive Abalone Mollusk takes at least eight years to produce the Abalone shell bead. In addition, the Abalone is a fine sea-food favorite in many places. Therefore, it is fished and eaten at restaurants up and down the Pacific Coast. Typically, the Abalone Mollusk hasn’t had enough time to create its beautiful pearl.
Still, they are found. And A Grain of Sand brings them to you in these beautiful necklace and bracelet pieces. Browse our Abalone bead collection below and order today!
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10 x 16mm average size. Size does vary a bit as each one has it’s own natural size and shape. These are very nice. No hole! The backside is shown to the right.
$4/each
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Item #13980 |
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12 x 22mm average size. Size does vary a bit as each one has it’s own natural size and shape. These are very nice. No hole! The backside is shown to the right.
$4/each
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Item #13979 |
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Top Drilled Shell Heart Core Beads
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30-40mm average length. These beads show the swirl core from the drilled top. the colors are pink, yellows and browns that all mix together for a really nice combination. Lightweight with a big look.
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$8/16" strand
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Item #13962 |
Cowrie Shell Beads
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15 x 24mm average size. These are 16" strands of top drilled cowrie shells. Each shell is a pretty combination of ecru, blue/green, and yellow. Very lightweight! There are approximately 22 shells per strand. What a deal here!
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$6.50/16" strand
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Item #13795 |
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$36/16" strand
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Item #13588 |
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$8/16" strand
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Item #13587 |
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$6.50/16" strand
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Item #13586 |
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$5/16" strand
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Item #13585 |
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$24/16" strand
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Item #13538 |
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38 x 50mm average size. These are simply luscious! A cross section of the shell in a lengthwise cut gives this one a special uniqueness. The enlargement shows two shells and how the cut looks on either side. Some natural green coloring accents the outer side of the pendant. The inside cuts have very nice luster. These are shell, so they are delicate & need to be worked with a gentle hand. They are not returnable for damage. We will pack them with extreme care.
$2.50/each
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Item #13513 |
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$18/16" strand
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Item #10863 |
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$8/16" strand
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Item #10527 |
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25-26mm round. Each piece has its own character or color variation. Beautiful. No two are exactly alike in color or size. Some have more opalescence than others. All are naturally beautiful.
$6.50/pair
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Item #10337 |
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18mm round. Top quality mother of pearl shell with a nice polished shine. Nice tapered edges. Great for earrings!
$7.50/pair
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Item #10332 |
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$6/16" strand
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Item #10331 |
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$24/16" strand
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Item #10330 |
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$8/16" strand
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Item #10329 |
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$8/16" strand
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Item #10328 |
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$6/16" strand
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Item #10327 |
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$18/16" strand
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Item #10281 |
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$36/16" strand
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Item #10279 |
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$24/16" strand
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Item #10278 |
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$24/16" strand
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Item #10245 |
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40mm round. Each one is unique. These are embedded Mabe pearls that have formed within the shell and then the shell is cut. They are wonderful. I have hand picked each one. No two are exactly alike. All are wonderful. Great to use as a focal piece for wire wrapping, setting into silver, or encorporating into seed bead work. We have not drilled any holes into these.
$12/each
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Item #10116 |
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32 x 48mm. Another beautifully carved item. The backside is flat and smooth. The color does vary as these are natural in color.
$9/each
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Item #9832 |
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28 x 48mm. Beautifully carved on the front and flat on the back. The colors do vary as there are natural in color.
$9/each
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Item #9831 |
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40 x 29mm. Very nice detail. The image does not show off the natural shine and characteristics of this stunning shell. You will be amazed at the detail in person.
$9/each
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Item #9830 |
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12 x 18mm. Outstanding for unique design opportunities. These are top quality abalone shell. Polished to perfection. We have some vintage Swarovski connectors in a variety of colors that have are similar in design that may make great companions to these. Let your imagination go wild!!!
$18/6
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Item #9781 |
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12 x 18mm. Outstanding for unique design opportunities. These are top quality mother of pearl shell. Polished to perfection. We have some vintage Swarovski connectors in a variety of colors that have are similar in design that may make great companions to these. Let your imagination go wild!!!
$18/6
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Item #9780 |
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22mm squared with a 1.5mm thickness. The edges are slightly curved for a more attractive feeling. Theses are top quality white mother of pearl shells. The size and design makes these a perfect component for earrings. The image does not do these justice.
$10/pair
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Item #9779 |
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$36/16" strand
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Item #9774 |
Conch Shell Free Form Cross Section Beads
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35mm average size. Unique!!!!! Each piece is unique in colors as they are totally natural. some have more pink than others. Some have a little beige in them as well. All are naturally beautiful and have been hand picked for their quality in color variations. Many of you have heard that conch is an aphrodisiac. We just think it is beautiful. You never know who you may attract when wearing this beautiful shell.
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$33/16" strand
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Item #9771 |
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35 x 55mm average size. Each piece is unique in colors as they are totally natural. some have more pink than others. Some have a little beige in them as well. All are naturally beautiful and have been hand picked for their quality in color variations. Many of you have heard that conch is an aphrodisiac. We just think it is beautiful. You never know who you may attract when wearing this beautiful shell.
$12/each
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Item #9770 |
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6mm. From Japan. Dobu shell was used for Ladie’s hair combs, knitting needles, fountain pens, and other items held close to the body because the shell had properties that make it feel warm and comfortable. It was immune to static charge. The shell material was scarce though making it expensive.
$6.50/50 beads
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Item #9337 |
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30mm round with 8mm central opening. This piece is highly polished. Each donut is unique in colors as they are totally natural. some have more pink than others. Some have a little beige in them as well. All are naturally beautiful and have been hand picked for their quality in color variations. Many of you have heard that conch is an aphrodisiac. We just think it is beautiful. You never know who you may attract when wearing this beautiful shell? We had a larger 40mm version that sold out last year & know you will enjoy this size as well.
$10/each
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Item #7636 |
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appx size. 50 x 55mm. This is another of our wonderful top quality mother of pearl hand carved pendants. It is head-drilled front to back. Some have more silver than white. They are all beauties.
$16/each
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Item #7576 |
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55mm round. This is another wonderful top quality hand carved pendant. Limited.
$18/each
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Item #7575 |
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50mm. These are top quality mother of pearl. Primarily white with some silverish coloration. Each pendant is hand carved, unusual and gorgeous.
$15/each
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Item #7574 |
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Natural Conch Shell Nugget Beads - Smaller
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6mm Approximate size. These are highly polished. Each strand is unique in colors as they are totally natural. Many of you have heard that conch is an aphrodisiac. We just think it is beautiful. You never know who you may attract when wearing this beautiful shell?
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$20/16" strand
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Item #7103 |
Natural Conch Shell Rice Beads
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10 x 5mm. These are highly polished. Each strand is unique in colors as they are totally natural. Many of you have heard that conch is an aphrodisiac. We just think it is beautiful. You never know who you may attract when wearing this beautiful shell?
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$22/16" strand
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Item #7102 |
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Sizes do vary - approximately 6-25mm diameter. Thicknesses really vary from bead to bead as well. Gotta have these old beauties. Came out of original packaging that says "Made in Taiwan Republic of China". The beads are drilled through the center of the spiral. Well made, unique & rare!!!!
$4.75/lot of 36 beads
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Item #6833 |
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55mm round. Simply scrumptous carved, open swired design. These are hand carved with some color variation in a white and silver toned to brown coloration. Oh my . . . . .get these while supplies last.
$15/each
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Item #6589 |
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Approximately 47mm x 40mm. This natural pendant is hand carved. Each peice is uniquely beautiful. Colors vary a bit. They have some white and darker silver to brown coloration. Oh my, this one is nice.
$14/each
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Item #6587 |
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These are vintage - Made in Japan. A quality Mother of pearl shell buttons with two holes on the edge. These are thin embellishments. Rare indeed! Commonly used as sequins.
$6/24 buttons
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Item #5894 |
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15 x 18mm rectangular buttons. These are made in Japan. Very nice quality!
$10.75/lot of 12 buttons as pictured
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Item #5877 |
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44mm x 2mm. This one is gorgeous. Its very thin. The shell is of a very high quality, only found with the good old stuff. This was made in Japan. Great price. The photo does not do it justice.
$3.50/each
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Item #5721 |
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$6/per 16" strand
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Item #5037 |
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$12/per 16" strand
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Item #5016 |
Faceted Tiny Shell Tears
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6 x 6 x 5mm. These are pretty small, but really nice. 5mm thick gives them alot of depth. Great price.
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$10/16" strand
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Item #5005 |
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