The depths of the sea contain many amazing living organisms, plants and minerals, characterized by specific features and characteristics that are not typical of organisms, plants and minerals found on land.
The list of deep-water rarities includes heliotis - a shell of the gastropods. This mineral shell, which serves as a house for him, has very specific characteristics of color, 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 shell, consisting of two strips. The mollusk has a standard anatomical structure and uses a “leg” to move on the seabed.
The outlines of the heliotis shell resemble the shell of a human ear. It is 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 considerable effort are applied.
Heliotis can be of several species, some of which are considered extremely rare and are protected by the laws of the countries in whose territory they are found.
The main distinctive feature of the “Abalone” is a unique combination of colors that make up its color. The effect of such a multi-color is achieved thanks to a special mineral coating that separates the light falling on it into the entire light spectrum. Because of this property, the heliotis shell is also called the “rainbow stone”.
In addition to the unusual properties of color, heliotis is valued for its ability to form pearls inside the shell. The pearls grown by this mollusk are large and surprisingly beautiful.
Habitats
"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. Industrial fishing for mollusks is also conducted in the region of Japan and off the southern shores of Asia.
Heliotis shell is not found in any area 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.
Properties
The unusual color of the shell of this mollusk spawned many superstitions and will accept, attributing to it magical abilities and possibilities 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, do 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 the factors of their own or external suggestion.
If a person believes that the mineral has some kind of 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, it will in one way or another affect the human condition.
Scientific evidence of the magical properties of heliotis at the moment does not exist. There are only theories about the possible presence of special characteristics of the chemical composition of shells, which can be used for medicinal purposes.
However, such conclusions have not yet influenced 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, completely or partially made of mineral shells.
The pronounced properties of the strength of this material put products made from it, an order of magnitude higher than the usual 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 suitable?
Decorations from the shell of this mollusk look expensive and of high quality. They are ideal for girls with green or blue eyes, as well as perfectly combined with other pearlescent jewelry of natural origin.
It used to be that the products from the shell of the Abalone are sensitive to the zodiac sign of the person who wears them.
Today, the theories related to this have faded into oblivion, as it was scientifically proven that the astrological discipline describing the influence of zodiacal constellations was based on the idea that the universe revolves around the earth.
After mankind became aware that the earth is not the center of the universe, and it was on this that the science of zodiac signs was based, it can be concluded that there is no magical connection between the constellations and products from the sea mineral.
How to distinguish a fake?
The value of jewelry from heliotis causes the emergence of technologies for the production of fakes that imitate the properties of this material.
There are several criteria by which you can distinguish a fake from a mineral of natural origin:
- color spectrum;
- strength;
- picture.
The unusual pearl color of the shell is formed under the influence of various factors: pressure, composition of sea water, nutrition of the mollusk, properties and abilities of its body, and more. Their presence ensures the formation of a mineral material with unique characteristics.
Artificial production methods of this material do not give a similar result.
It was noted that mollusks grown in captivity are unable to grow their own shell with the same color as those grown in their natural environment.
Counterfeits of this material are made of substitute materials using various technological tricks. Glass and plastic can be used as a base.
When using glass, special glazed paints are applied to it, forming a mother-of-pearl overflow. This imitation is quite difficult to distinguish from the original, since the gloss of glass and paintwork are similar to the natural gloss of the “rainbow stone”.
In order to identify the difference, it is necessary to hold a sharp object on the surface of the decoration. Paint applied to a fake will scratch, revealing the base material of the product.
Glass fake is inferior to the original in terms of strength. When falling, even from a small height, it instantly bursts and falls into pieces. The product from a natural mineral is extremely strong and resistant to shocks, falls.
Plastic imitations are of two types: with the application of paint over the product and with the addition of tinted mixture in 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, it is enough to weigh it in hand.An ornament made from a natural mineral will weigh significantly more than a plastic counterpart.
Acquiring any product from heliotis in places of uncontrolled sale should be especially careful. Often, forgeries containing elements imitating heliotis are sold on the coasts in private shops. The sale of such goods is designed for tourists who can not recognize a fake.
Care rules
Jewelry and other products that have parts of the "Rainbow Stone", require careful treatment and appropriate care.
Do not hold the product near bulky metal objects that can damage it. It is unacceptable to carry it in one pocket with iron coins or keys.
Although heliotis mineral is a very durable material, frequent contact with other hard objects that have sharp edges can cause scratches, chips and even cracks.
Over time, the glossy surface of the product can become matte. This is due to the appearance of a multitude of microscratches.
In this case, it is necessary to carry out preventive polishing of the jewelry.
Polishing products from the heliotis shell is made in several stages.
- Surface treatment is performed using a very fine sandpaper. When carrying out polishing works with abrasive material, it is important to be careful not to damage or spoil the frame, which encloses the "Rainbow Stone".
- Grit sandpaper is reduced by an order. Polishing repeats. During the whole process it is necessary to wet the polished surface with water in order to prevent heating.
- Continue grinding with Goya paste. The surface is rubbed with paste until a dull plaque appears. Polishing is done using felt or cotton material (the cloth must be made from natural ingredients, since synthetic materials can scratch the glossy surface).
- After completing the preventive polishing of the product, rinse it thoroughly with water to remove the remaining components of the polishing paste.
The frame in which the processed heliotis is placed is made of precious metals: gold, silver or platinum. These materials may dull over time. To maintain their brilliance requires regular polishing, which must produce a qualified specialist from the jewelry workshop.
For more on heliotis, see the next video.
