The depths of the sea contain many amazing living organisms, plants and minerals that differ in specific traits and characteristics that are not characteristic of organisms, plants and minerals found on land.
The list of deep-sea rarities also includes heliotis - a shell of a marine gastropod mollusk. This mineral shell, which serves as his house, has very specific color characteristics, which puts heliotis on a par with other precious seafood: pearls and corals.
Description
Heliotis is a marine organism that lives at a depth of up to 35 meters, which makes it accessible to collectors. The jelly-like invertebrate body is enclosed in a durable mineral carapace consisting of two folds. The mollusk has a standard anatomical structure and uses the “foot” to move along the seabed.
The external shape of the shell of the heliotis resembles the shell of the human ear. It was this similarity that served as the name “Abalone”. The size of the shell can reach 20-25 cm.
The capabilities of this marine inhabitant allow it to firmly attach to any surface. In order to separate it, special tools and significant efforts are used.
Heliotis is of several types, some of which are considered extremely rare and are protected by the laws of the countries in whose territory they are found.
The main distinguishing feature of Abalone is the unique combination of colors that make up its color. The effect of this multicolor is achieved thanks to a special mineral coating that divides the light falling on it throughout the entire light spectrum. Because of this property, the heliotis shell is also called the “rainbow stone”.
In addition to the unusual color properties, heliotis is valued for its ability to form pearls inside the shell. The pearls grown by this mollusk are large and surprisingly beautiful.
Habitat
The abalone lives in the warm coastal waters of the seas and oceans, washing some continents and islands. It can be found off the coast of Australia and South America. Commercial shellfish fishing is also carried out in the region of Japan and off the southern coast of Asia.
The heliotis shell is not found in any of the regions of the Russian coast. The waters washing Russia are too cold for this inhabitant of the depths.
For this marine inhabitant, average temperature indicators of water in the area in which he lives are of great importance.
The properties
The unusual color of the shell of this mollusk has generated many superstitions and signs, attributing to it magical abilities and the possibility of influencing various aspects of human life.
Practice shows: a mineral formed as a result of chemical processes is unable to exert any influence on the physical or mental state of a person.
However, one should not completely exclude the presence of some effect. It has long been known that the physical and psychological state of a person can directly depend on factors of their own or external suggestion.
If a person believes that a mineral has one or another influence on him, and he is firmly convinced of this, then sooner or later, he will begin to feel the consequences of this phantom effect. As a result, this will in one way or another affect the human condition.
Scientific evidence of the magical properties of heliotis does not currently exist. There are only theories about the possible presence of special characteristics of the chemical composition of shells that can be used for medicinal purposes.
However, such conclusions have not yet affected the promotion of the mineral to the masses as a therapeutic agent.
Application
Rainbow Stone is valued for its unusual color and hardness. Jewelers all over the world are working on the manufacture of various products from the heliotis shell. On sale you can find beads, earrings, brooches, pendants and other jewelry, fully or partially consisting of shell minerals.
The pronounced strength properties of this material put products made from it, an order of magnitude higher than ordinary jewelry. In addition, the hardness of the mineral complicates its processing, which requires the use of specialized tools and special technologies. The combination of these factors determines the formation of high prices for final products.
Who is it for?
Jewelry from the shell of this mollusk looks expensive and of high quality. They are perfect for girls with green or blue eyes, and also go well with other mother-of-pearl jewelry of natural origin.
It used to be that products from the abalone shell are sensitive to the zodiac sign of the person who wears them.
To date, theories associated with this have gone into oblivion, since it was scientifically proven that the astrological discipline that describes the influence of the zodiac constellations was based on the idea that the universe revolves around the earth.
After humanity became aware that the earth is not the center of the universe, and it was on this that the science of the signs of the zodiac was based, it can be concluded that there is no magical connection between the constellations and products from the marine mineral.
How to distinguish a fake?
The value of jewelry made from heliotis causes the emergence of technologies for the production of fakes that mimic the properties of this material.
There are several criteria by which to distinguish a fake from a mineral of natural origin:
- color spectrum;
- strength;
- picture.
The unusual mother-of-pearl color of the shell is formed under the influence of various factors: pressure, composition of sea water, the nutrition of the mollusk, the properties and abilities of its body, and more. Their presence ensures the formation of mineral material with unique characteristics.
Artificial methods for the production of this material do not give a similar result.
It was noted that mollusks grown in captivity are unable to grow a shell with the same color as those grown in the natural environment.
Counterfeits of this material are made from substitute materials using various technological tricks. As the basis can be applied glass and plastic.
When using glass, special glazed paints are applied to it, forming a pearl overflow. This imitation is quite difficult to distinguish from the original, since the gloss of glass and paintwork is similar to the natural gloss of the “rainbow stone”.
In order to indicate the difference, it is necessary to hold a sharp object on the surface of the decoration. The paint applied to the fake will be scratched, revealing the material base of the product.
Glass fake inferior to the original in terms of strength. If it falls, even from a small height, it instantly bursts and falls apart. The product from a natural mineral is extremely strong and resistant to shocks and drops.
There are two types of plastic fakes: with the application of paint on top of the product and with the addition of a tinted mixture to the plastic when it is in a liquid state.
In both cases, the product is fragile and too light. In order to distinguish it from a fake, just weigh it in your hands. A jewelry made from a natural mineral will weigh significantly more than a plastic counterpart.
When purchasing any product from heliotis in places of uncontrolled sale, you should be especially careful. Often fakes containing elements imitating heliotis are sold on the coast in private shops. The sale of such goods is designed for tourists who can not recognize the fake.
Care Rules
Jewelry and other items having parts from the "Rainbow Stone" require careful treatment and appropriate care.
Do not keep the product near bulky metal objects that could damage it. It is unacceptable to carry it in the same pocket with iron coins or keys.
Although the heliotis mineral is a very durable material, frequent contact with other hard objects with sharp edges can lead to scratches, chips, and even cracks.
Over time, the glossy surface of the product may become dull. This is due to the appearance of many micro-scratches.
In this case, it is necessary to carry out preventive polishing of the decoration.
Heliotis shell polishing is carried out in several stages.
- Surface treatment is carried out using very fine sandpaper. When carrying out polishing work with abrasive material, it is important to be careful not to damage or spoil the frame in which the Rainbow Stone is enclosed.
- The grit of sandpaper is reduced by an order of magnitude. Polishing is repeated. Throughout the process, it is necessary to wet the polished surface with water in order to prevent heating.
- Continue sanding with Goya paste. The surface is rubbed with a paste until a matte coating appears. Polishing is done using felt or cotton material (rags should be made from natural components, since synthetic materials can scratch the glossy surface).
- After the preventive polishing of the product is completed, rinse it thoroughly with water to remove the remaining components of the polishing paste.
The frame in which the treated heliotis is placed is made of precious metals: gold, silver or platinum. These materials may fade over time. To maintain their shine, regular polishing is required, which must be done by a qualified specialist from a jewelry workshop.
More about heliotis in the next video.
