Large Haida 18 K Gold Orca with Abalone Pendant

Abalone is a unique type of snail that lives in the ocean. It comes from the family of Haliotidae. It’s common name, abalone, comes from the Spanish term aulon or aulone.

The First Nations peoples of the Northwest Coast consider abalone a valuable and sacred material. It is often used to create objects of prestige and status, such as chief's headdresses, bracelets, and earrings. Abalone shells are also used to create intricate inlay designs, which often have symbolic meaning.

Traditionally abalone was obtained through trade with other coastal groups, or through harvesting by the Indigenous peoples of the region. The shells were harvested from the rocky shores of the Pacific Northwest, and the process of collecting them was considered a sacred activity.

In addition to its ceremonial and spiritual significance, abalone was also used for practical purposes. Abalone shells were used as a source of food and it was also used to create tools such as knives, hooks, and needles. 

Today, abalone continues to be an important part of Pacific Northwest Coast culture. Many Indigenous artists continue to work with abalone and use it in contemporary art and cultural revitalization efforts. Abalone art and artifacts are also highly valued by collectors and museums.

Overfishing and poaching have reduced wild populations to such an extent that farmed abalone now supplies most of the abalone used, becoming a more sustainable option.

Jewelry containing abalone should be removed when showering. Avoid contact with soaps and chemicals, including polish, as they can dull the appearance of abalone.

We ship internationally!

Free shipping to the USA and Canada.

The Shipping times mentioned below are estimates for orders that we have in our inventory and are not guaranteed . Shipping to the USA or other international locations may be delayed due to national customs organizations, especially now due to the COVID-19 impact. These delays are not included in the shipping estimates mentioned and are out of our control.

If you have a specific shipping / delivery deadline, please call or email us, to make sure we have the item that you would like to order in stock.

Custom orders or orders for items that we don’t have in our inventory, or don’t have the exact size in stock, will take longer. It usually takes 2 – 4 weeks depending on the individual item and artist, to have individual items carved. Custom orders may take somewhat longer.

International Shipping - items may be subject to customs processing depending on the item's declared value.

Sellers set the item's declared value and must comply with customs declaration laws.

As the buyer, you should be aware of possible:

- delays from customs inspection.

- import duties and taxes which buyers must pay.

- brokerage fees payable at the point of delivery.

Your country's customs office can offer more details.

Regular Shipping:

We usually use Canada Post services without tracking information for our regular shipping option. The delivery standards for surface/air shipping are usually 2 - 9 business days (Canada), 5 - 12 business days (USA), 6 - 35 business days (Europe) and 6-35 business days to the other continents. If your shipping address is remote, delivery times may increase. These delivery standards are estimates and are not guaranteed.

Canada Post International Parcel Surface or Priority Worldwide Express Shipments:

If you would like to find a faster priority / express shipping service, than the ones mentioned in the shopping cart, or if shipping times are less important than the cost, please contact us for a custom shipping quote. Delivery dates mentioned below are approximations that do not include delays due to International Customs or unforeseen circumstances. The delivery standards for Priority™ Worldwide( Usually through FedEx ) are usually 2-3 business days (USA), 3-5 business days (Europe) and 4-6 business days to the other continents. The delivery standards for International Parcel Surface can be up to 7 weeks. If your shipping address is remote, delivery times may increase. These delivery standards are estimates and are not guaranteed.

Canada Post shipping services with tracking numbers can be tracked at the following website: http://www.canadapost.ca/cpotools/apps/track/personal/findByTrackNumber?execution=e1s1

Returns / Cancellation of Custom Orders

If for some reason you are not 100 percent satisfied with the piece of art received, please contact us before you return it. We offer you the opportunity to return it, if you inform us within the first five days after delivery, that you would like to return it. 

This offer is under the condition that it is not a custom order, it was not worn, it is in the same condition it was originally shipped and we are informed about the return, before it is shipped back. We will send you a return confirmation.

Custom orders or personalized artwork (with personal message/engraving) are not returnable. Down payments for custom orders are also not refundable, if the artwork has been started.

If you return the item / items from outside of Canada, make sure you specify on the description for customs that it is a return, as well as that the item is made in Canada.

After receiving the returned piece of art, we will refund the full purchase price minus the actual shipping costs and any customs and/or brokerage fees we were charged. Customs and brokerage fees can usually be evaded if you return your purchase with your national postal service. Using FedEx, UPS or any other private shipping company will often lead to customs and/or brokerage fees.

We do accept that for Christmas gifts bought in November and December, the delivery date for our return policy will be December 25th, instead of the actual date your order is delivered. Please contact us on or before December 30th, if you would like to return or exchange your purchase.

To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.

To complete your return, we require a receipt or proof of purchase.

Refunds (if applicable)

Once your return is received and inspected, we will send you an email to notify you that we have received your returned item. If everything is ok, we will also notify you of your refund.

If you are approved, then your refund will be processed, and a credit will automatically be applied to your credit card or original method of payment, within a certain amount of days.

Late or missing refunds (if applicable)

If you haven’t received a refund yet, first check your bank account again.
Then contact your credit card company, it may take some time before your refund is officially posted.

Next contact your bank. There is often some processing time before a refund is posted.

If you’ve done all of this and you still have not received your refund yet, please contact us at info@spiritsofthewestcoast.com.

Exchanges (if applicable)

We only replace items if they are defective or damaged at delivery. If you need to exchange it for the same item, send us an email at info@spiritsofthewestcoast.com and send your item to:

Spirits of the West Coast Art Gallery, 2926 Back Road, Courtenay, British Columbia, V9N 9G9, Canada. 

Shipping

To return your product, you should mail your product to:

Spirits of the West Coast Art Gallery, 2926 Back Road, Courtenay, British Columbia, V9N9G9, Canada

You will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the original cost of shipping it to you will be deducted from your refund.

Always use a trackable shipping service and purchase shipping insurance.

If you return the item / items from outside of Canada, make sure you specify on the description for customs that it is a return, as well as that the item is made in Canada.

We can't guarantee that we will receive your returned item.