At a glance
| Water | Saltwater |
|---|---|
| Mollusk | Abalone (Haliotis species) |
| Where | Natural pearls from abalone; cultured abalone blister pearls are also grown in New Zealand |
| Typical size | Can be large; GIA examined pieces up to about 62 x 29 x 16 mm |
| Shapes | Commonly baroque, often with horn-like points |
| How it starts | None: natural |
| Growing time | Natural |
Abalone pearls are natural pearls from abalone, Haliotis species. GIA describes them as usually dominated by blue, green or yellowish green bodycolors, with high luster and multicolored iridescence.
Shapes
Abalone pearls are commonly baroque, often with elongated "horns" and "teeth." Their shape depends on where in the animal they form, and often mirrors the shape of the gonad (GIA).
Sizes
They can be large. The three pearls GIA described in 2015 measured about 26 x 24 mm, 42 x 26 x 19 mm (66.83 ct) and 62 x 29 x 16 mm (113.58 ct).
Cultured abalone
Natural abalone pearls are unusual. Cultured abalone blister pearls are also grown, for example in New Zealand, and GIA has published research on them. A blister pearl is a dome attached to the shell, not a whole pearl.
Frequently asked questions
What color are abalone pearls?
Usually blue, green or yellowish green, with high luster and multicolored iridescence (GIA).
Questions from readers
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Sources
Checked October 22, 2026. How we check our facts.