Abalone Shells and Where to Find Them

[MadisonTheMer93]

What is the best place to order abalone shells big enough for d cup bra size?


The South Texas Siren

[Winged Mermaid]

It's hard to say because each supplier runs out of shells depending on the season, or just doesn't hold all shells in stock all the time depending on their shell suppliers (a lot of shops use suppliers overseas like in India). Like where I got mine they don't have them anymore. I've ran into this many times with other shells I like to use with my accessories. Sometimes what the season is like where the shells are harvested can affect how many shells are available commercially and also the sizes. Like some years larger ones are plentiful, and other times only smaller ones are available. I'm not an expert but this is what I've run across. I've even emailed a ton of shell shops about this issue and this is basically what they told me.
It just fluctuates a lot, which can be frustrating. I have spent literally weeks trying to find shells that I could find easily before, and coming up empty handed. So there's really no go-to that I can point you to.

The best thing you can do is get on google and do some digging! I've gone past page 20 or 50 on google in my searches before :P I get really determined sometimes haha.

There's a bit on how to use Google search perimeters more efficiently to find what you're looking for in the Accessory Making FAQ (http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?6472):


You can find large polished abalone either at some shell shops (Florida has lots of these), or online. eBay and Etsy are the two best sites for finding these. Keep in mind that they tend to be $20+ for each shell. Make sure they are large enough for what you want to use them for- for instance I wouldn't recommend shells below 5 inches in width for a shell bra. Use Google search operators (https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/136861?hl=en) help you. Like to search for shells between 5 and 8 inches, "5..8 inches" or "127..203 mm". Use search terms like "large polished abalone" "polished haliotis fulgens" "polished paua shell" ect.

For a D cup try and get shells that are about 7 inches. Even with that size you'll have to use greenery or other decor to cover part of the cup. (The top I made is a D cup.)

I will tell you will need to message the seller before purchasing, or you could end up with 2 shells that are several inches difference in size. Tell them that you need 2 shells that are whatever size you're looking for, and that they both need to be about the same size for the project you're working on. In my experience they're typically pretty helpful about it. Unless you get someone with terrible customer service, which I've also had to deal with before.

Good luck!

[MadisonTheMer93]

Thank you so much!! This is super helpful!!


The South Texas Siren

[Ashton]

I have some bigs one I was about to put on etsy, they would fit D-DDD
They are MASSIVE polished red abalones.

[Mermaid Lorelei]

Do you have a picture of those by chance, Ashton?

[Elodea the Mermaid]

I have some bigs one I was about to put on etsy, they would fit D-DDD
They are MASSIVE polished red abalones.


Do you have a picture of those by chance, Ashton?

I'd like to know too! :)

[Ashton]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160309/f241de33eadd5ba6db70066820ac385f.jpg
I have 6 at the moment.


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[Mermaid Cataleya]

Does anyone know what size she'll I'd need for a c cup

[Merman Dan]

Tell you what I want... an abalone pearl!

36084

[Mermaid Wesley]

Those are so cool :( why so rare?


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[Ashton]

Abalone's typically don't make pearls, when they do it is a malformation in the inside of their shell. I can show you one next time you come over Wes, I have one that is 'almost' a pearl.

[Mermaid Wesley]

Oops I meant *whiney voice* why do they have to be so raaaaaare but also yes I want to see that.


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[Ashton]

OOOOhh gotcha. I feel that way too.

[xaccer2]

спец (http://audiobookkeeper.ru/book/1507)

[xaccer2]

213.8 (http://cottagenet.ru/plan/295)