Abalone Shell Buttons

Abalone shell buttons are some of the most colourful natural buttons you can put on a garment. Cut from the nacre of the abalone, a sea snail with a single ear-shaped shell, each button carries a play of colour that shifts as the light moves: deep blues, sea greens, violet, pink and touches of gold. No two buttons are exactly alike, and that small variation is exactly what designers look for when they want a detail that feels alive.

At shellbuttons.com we offer two main abalone shell buttons: red abalone, also known in the trade as Australian abalone, and gold abalone. Both are produced by our partner shell button factory in Hong Kong, with Polkom in Sofia, Bulgaria, serving brands, garment factories and shirt makers across Europe. Designers, tailors and makers can also buy smaller quantities in our online shop.

Origin of abalone shell

Where our abalone comes from: red abalone shells come from Australia and gold abalone shells from China. Both are ocean shells, and both are cultured – grown in abalone farms rather than taken from the wild.

Abalone are marine molluscs of the genus Haliotis. They live mainly on rocky coasts in cool and temperate seas, where they graze on algae.

Like other nacre-producing molluscs, the abalone builds the inner layer of its shell from very thin layers of aragonite crystals bound with organic material. This layered structure is what gives nacre its iridescence: light is reflected and interferes between the layers, creating colours that change with the viewing angle. In abalone the layers are typically arranged in a slightly wavy pattern, which produces the characteristic swirling, multi-coloured shimmer.

The outer side of the shell is rough and often covered with growth rings and marine deposits. Button blanks are cut from the shell, then ground and polished to reveal the nacre.

Character of abalone shell buttons

Source	Natural abalone shell (genus Haliotis); red abalone (Australian abalone) and gold abalone
Look	Strong iridescence with swirling blue, green, violet and pink tones (red abalone) or warm golden and honey tones (gold abalone)
Feel	Cool to the touch, hard and smooth after polishing, with a natural weight
Styles	Normally flat with 2 holes; 4 holes, rim and dome profiles and shank on request
Sizes	Red abalone: 14L–40L, larger sizes up to 120L possible; gold abalone: 14L–40L
Thickness	Depends on size and on the natural thickness of the shell
Grades / versions	Gold abalone: grade T2 is popular; red abalone selected by colour and surface

Colours and versions

Red abalone (Australian abalone)

Red abalone is the classic multi-colour abalone. Its nacre shows a lively mix of turquoise, green, blue, purple and rose, often with darker veins that add depth. The colour pattern changes from button to button, so a set of red abalone shell buttons always has a natural, hand-picked character. Red abalone is normally made as a flat button with 2 holes in sizes from 14L to 40L, and it can also be produced in bigger sizes up to 120L.

Gold abalone

Gold abalone has a warmer, softer palette: champagne, honey, light bronze and gold, with a gentle iridescent glow and occasional hints of green or pink. It sits beautifully on beige, camel, cream, olive and navy fabrics, and it pairs well with gold-tone hardware. Gold abalone buttons are normally flat with 2 holes in sizes 14L–40L, and grade T2 is a popular choice for fashion collections.

Natural and dyed colours

Both versions are mainly used in their natural colours, which show the full beauty of the shell. Dyed colours are also possible on request when a collection needs a specific shade.

Sizes and thickness

Button sizes are measured in lignes (L). One ligne is approximately 0.635 mm. The table below shows the most common abalone shell button sizes and their typical use on garments.

14L (≈ 9 mm)	Shirt cuffs, collar points, baby clothes, fine knitwear
16L (≈ 10 mm)	Shirt fronts, blouses, dresses
18L (≈ 11.5 mm)	Blouses, cardigans, polo shirts
20L (≈ 12.5 mm)	Cardigans, light jackets, dresses
24L (≈ 15 mm)	Jacket sleeves, waistcoats, knitwear
28L (≈ 18 mm)	Jacket fronts, blazers
32L (≈ 20 mm)	Blazers, light coats
36L (≈ 23 mm)	Coats, outerwear
40L (≈ 25 mm)	Coats, capes, statement fronts
Larger, up to 120L	Red abalone only: decorative buttons, bags, accessories, home textiles

Thickness depends on the button size and on the shell itself. If your sewing equipment or buttonhole needs a specific thickness, tell us in your request and we will check it with the factory before sampling.

Finishing and customisation

Abalone shell buttons can be adapted to your design in several ways:

• Holes: 2 holes as standard, 4 holes on request.
• Profile: flat, rim or dome shapes.
• Shank: available on request for coats and decorative use.
• Back: polished back or natural skin back, depending on the look you prefer.
• Colour: natural colours or dyed shades.
• Logo: laser engraving of your logo or brand mark on request.
• Samples: we send samples before bulk production, so you can approve colour, size and finish.

For custom projects, please visit our wholesale page to request samples and a price offer.

Where to use abalone buttons

The vivid colour of abalone makes it a natural choice wherever a button should be noticed:

• Shirts and blouses: small 14L–18L red abalone buttons add colour to white, black and pastel shirts; gold abalone suits cream silk and linen.
• Knitwear: cardigans in navy, grey or bottle green look rich with abalone shell buttons.
• Jackets and coats: 28L–40L buttons give a confident, crafted front; large red abalone pieces create a true statement.
• Evening wear and bridal: a row of small abalone buttons on a back closure catches the light beautifully.
• Accessories and home textiles: bags, cushions, jewellery-style details and decorative sewing.

Care of abalone shell buttons

Abalone is a natural material and stays beautiful for many years with a little attention:

• Washing: a gentle cycle at low or medium temperature with mild detergent is best. Turning the garment inside out or buttoning it up helps protect the buttons.
• Ironing: iron around the buttons, or iron on the reverse side with a cloth between the iron and the button.
• Dry cleaning: ask the cleaner to protect the buttons or cover them with foil; strong chemicals and long exposure to heat are best avoided.
• Everyday: keep acidic substances such as perfume or lemon away from the surface; wipe with a soft damp cloth to restore the shine.

How to choose between shell types

Each natural shell has its own personality. Choose abalone shell buttons when you want strong colour and a lively, multi-tone iridescence. For a classic, luminous white or a deep natural black, our mother of pearl buttons offer a wide range of styles and colours. If you prefer a fine, delicate shimmer for shirts and lingerie, akoya shell buttons are a refined choice. For white buttons with a gentle iridescent shadow, explore our river shell buttons. Within abalone, pick red abalone for bold colour and large statement sizes, and gold abalone for a warm, elegant glow.

FAQ

What is the difference between red abalone and gold abalone?

Red abalone, also called Australian abalone, shows multi-coloured blue, green, violet and pink tones. Gold abalone has warmer golden, honey and champagne shades. Both are natural abalone shell buttons, normally flat with 2 holes.

Which sizes are available?

Gold abalone is normally made in 14L–40L. Red abalone is normally made in 14L–40L and can be produced in bigger sizes up to 120L.

Will every button look the same?

Abalone is a natural material, so each button has its own colour pattern. The buttons are selected for colour and grade, and a natural variation within a set is part of their charm.

Can you engrave our logo on abalone buttons?

Yes. Laser engraving of logos is available on request. We send samples first so you can approve the result before bulk production.

Can I buy small quantities?

Yes. Designers, tailors and makers can order from our online shop. For brand collections and custom orders, please contact us or use the wholesale request form.

Whether you are developing a new collection or finishing a single handmade piece, abalone shell buttons bring natural colour and light to your design. Request samples and a price offer on our wholesale page, or browse ready-to-order abalone shell buttons in our online shop.