History
Blue Pearls are cultivated in the New Zealand species of abalone - the Haliotis iris or Paua.
Abalone are a gentle sea snail, with a large central muscular foot and amazingly colourful and lustrous shells.
There are over one hundred species of abalone throughout the world but the Haliotis iris is only found in the cool clear waters close to the New Zealand coastline.
This species of abalone have the greatest range of colour and iridescence of any abalone shell.
Early pearl culture was attempted in many countries and in many species of shellfish. But it was not until the late nineteenth century, that any success was achieved. Early in the 1890s Kokichi Mikimoto succeeded in cultivating round pearls in oysters.
Paua or Haliotis Iris (New Zealand abalone) is harvested along the rocky coastline of Southern New Zealand. The Paua fishery is sustainably managed by a strict quota system enforced by government regulations
The Paua have to be at a minimum size before they can legally be removed from the water. Paua divers free dive without air up to depths of 45 feet or 12 metres. The diving requires incredible fitness and skill, and there are many tales of close calls with sharks and other nasties.
n the summer months the water temperature only reaches 16-20 degrees centigrade. This work is not for the faint hearted.
Once the shell is harvested and the nucleus carefully inserted by experienced technicians each mabé pearl then takes up to three years to develop in the shell.
This abalone is high maintenance and unlike oyster filter feeding shells, paua require constant attention from the farmer. Every week the abalone consumes up to half its body weight in seaweed and needs to be thoroughly cleaned on a regular basis. The process has been compared to living in a five star hotel with room service and housekeeping!
The health of the paua is paramount, as the healthier the shell the more beautiful the pearl.
Unlike other pearls there is an optimal thickness of nacre too thin and there can be durability issues, too thick and the pearl becomes misshapen. For this reason approximately three years is the optimal time for growing the pearls in the shell. This optimal time has been determined after many years of research and development.
The final pearl colour is effected by many factors including: the generic make up of the paua, the tides, water temperature, the seaweed and kelp diet, water flow, composition of the water, the ph balance, location, climate, the mineral content of the water, and Tangaroa, god of the sea - according to Maori tradition.
It is impossible to predetermine the exact hues and colours of the pearls as so many factors are at play, this makes the annual harvest very exciting. The sheer range of colours available ensures everyone has a favourite.
Roger Beattie, Managing Director of The Eyris Blue Pearl Company and Pacific Blue Pearls operates farms in Akaroa and the Tory Channel of New Zealand. Even after 15 years or more of research and development only 30 - 40% of shells produce saleable quality pearls.
This makes the blue pearl rare and "highly desirable", especially the gems which are found in less than one in 200 shells. Due to the strict government quota, highly complex culturing process and the sheer persistence required to cultivate these pearls, they will always be in short supply compared to other pearl types.
Because of the nature of Haliotis Iris shell, unlike oyster type shells, it is impossible to produce a round pearl. Unlike most other pearls the resultant mabé (hemispherical) pearl is not a bi-product of round pearl production, the mabé is the only product. These beautiful coloured mabé pearls lend themselves perfectly to jewellery design.
Roger Beattie spearheads several paua re-seeding programmes in New Zealand. Replenishing natural resources and working in harmony with nature are core philosophies in Roger's business. He is also involved in several conservation projects with native trees and birds.
A celebration of difference Portraying the true essence of individuality, our brand name Eyris was chosen to reflect the link between the natural beauty of the human eye and the unique beauty of each blue pearl.