The pearls were found in the innards of the shells.  Since it has been a long
time since we collected an abalone (been in FL now for 22 years).   I almost
forgot.  But I have two of the abalone pearls....been thinking of having them
made into a piece of jewelry for a long time.
 
This is true of the Strombus gigas also....the pearl was in the innards when we
cleaned the animal out.
 
"Cramer, John" wrote:
 
> Bobbi Cordy - you've found pearls in conchs and abalones.  Where were they
> with respect to the shell?  I've collected abalones with "bumps" in the top
> inside of the shell; a bit like pearls anchored to the shell but they seemed
> result from efforts to seal the shell from boring worms or something
> similar.  What about the conchs?  Were the pearls well up inside?
 
--
Jim and Bobbi Cordy
of Merritt Island, Florida.
 
Jim Specializes in Self-Collected
Caribbean & Florida Shells
 
Bobbi in Shell Creations