Paua Shell

Another grey day, so I thought I'd use the diffuse light for a still life.

This is a paua shell that we got in New Zealand, I've been meaning to take a photo of it for ages. Apparently (according to Wikipedia) it's also known as sea opal, or abalone.

Whatever the name, I think it's lovely to look at. Has loads of intense, iridescent colouring.

Lighting for this is just the bay window in our bedroom. Background is black velvet.