What is the easiest way to clean abalone shells?

Great post Kirby; about the lacquering: you can get a satin finish lacquer. This will give the shell a little wet look, and not be grossly glossy. The biggest bonus is the shell will be equally shiny after several years. For a really intense contrast, use satin ont he outside, and high gloss on the inside.

The shells really pop with the colors like that.

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Safety is but an illusion; Every grain of sand was once a mountain. Every speck of dust..... was once a man. Nothing can stop this, in time. So use the time you have well..... you won't get it back.

Abalone shells are loved by many due to their iridescence and colors. They can be used for making jewelry and decorative items. Like other shells, they need maintenance to retain their luster. Know how to clean abalone shells in this HomeQuicks post.

Note of Caution

Abalone shell should be protected from scratches and hard blows as it is not very robust.
The dust from abalone shells should not be inhaled as it is toxic to humans and animals.

Abalone are marine molluscs that belong to the class Gastropoda. They are found in North America, New Zealand, Australia, Philippines, Japan and many other places. They have a flattened oval shape shell. They occur in different sizes, are quite durable and so can be used for various purposes. A row of respiratory holes runs along its shell exterior.

They have been used since many centuries in jewelry, decorative items, buttons, buckles, musical instruments and others. Abalone shells are also used as gems since they are known to enhance one’s creativity and mind power by eliminating negative energies. Well-known for their iridescent and pearlized color, the abalone shells look beautiful when cleaned and polished. The shells come in many shades like black, white, blue, green, pink, and red. The flesh of abalones is widely used as raw or cooked food in many countries. They can be expensive to buy. Other names of abalone shells are ear shells, sea ears, muttonshell, ormer, and pāua. Mentioned below are some useful tips for cleaning and maintaining abalone shells.

Tips To Clean Abalone Shells

◆ Soak the abalone shell in water. This will loosen out the seaweed and other growths on the shell.

◆ Scrub off the exterior surface of the shell with a wire brush to remove dirt, sands, algae, sponges and other organisms. Wash it off with water.

◆ Place the shell under running water if any dirt or particulates are retained in the shell. This should help one get rid of maximum debris.

◆ Once cleaned and dried, apply some muriatic acid over it. Wear gloves, breathing mask and goggles while doing this. To prevent the acid from etching the pearl inside the shell, plug the shell’s holes with clay or apply Vaseline to the inside of the shell. The acid will dissolve more of the remaining debris, remove the hard concrete, and calcium-based substances and bring luster to the shell.

◆ Scrub the shell with a toothbrush for further cleaning. A new layer is seen on the shell. Wash it off again with water.

◆ Now remove the clay or Vaseline, and rinse the inside of the abalone shell in cold water. Remove the barnacles and clams inside the shell by scraping it with an abalone iron or any such substance. A tweezers can be used to pick out worms within the shell if there are any. Wash off with water.

◆ Following this, apply mineral oil to the abalone shell. Wipe it all over so the oil will cover all the crevices and holes in the shell. This will enhance the color and iridescence of the mother of pearl.

◆ Hang the shell and allow the applied oil to dry in the outside air for a few days before touching the shell.

Abalone shell rings, earrings, necklaces and other jewelry should be cleaned with warm water and soap solution when soiled. Otherwise, it should be wiped with a damp clean cloth each time after use. Dry the jewelry well. They should be kept out of direct sunlight to prevent fading. Also, wearing your abalone jewelry more often will maintain its gorgeous look due to the natural oil in your skin which protects the shine of the material.

Abalone shells are found off the coast or North America, New Zealand, Australia and Japan. Abalone shells normally have a row of respiratory holes along the outside of the shell. The mother-of-pearl on the inside of the shell comes in a variety of iridescent colors. Once the shells are cleaned and polished, they are quite beautiful. Abalone shells come in a variety of sizes and is a popular medium for jewelry and decorative items.

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Step 1

Remove any pieces or barnacles or worms by hitting them with a small metal bar. Remove as much as you can.

Step 2

Scrub the outside of the shell with a wire brush. Use firm pressure with a back-and-forth motion.

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Step 3

Fill your bucket 3/4 full with water. Soak the abalone shell for a few days to loosen any remaining debris. Allow to dry and then give it a final scrub with your wire brush. If it is raining outside, set the shells near a downspout and let the water spill onto them.

Step 4

Apply a small amount of vitamin E oil to your fingertips and rub onto the inside and outside of your abalone shell to polish. Use a quick circular motion. If the shell has sharp edges, use a wash cloth. Reapply the vitamin E oil as needed.

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