Abalone is the shell from a type of sea snail, along the same lines as paua shell or mother-of-pearl.  This abalone pendant is one that I bought a couple of years ago, when I first started making jewelry.  At the time, I saw the piece and thought it very pretty, but did not have the vaguest idea what to do with it (if nothing else, "It will be my muse," I recall saying).  It has taken me this long to make a necklace out of it.

The smaller pieces in the chain are also abalone, like the pendant.  Clear teardrop beads finish off the end of the necklace and dangle from the bottoms of the earrings.

20 ga 7/64" ID
Sterling Silver
Shaggy Loops weave